Post deleted by I'M GERMAN-IRISH

I guess Hamilton's tan was the decisive factor. Surely it wasn't his acting chops.

Are you kidding me Turnbull? Hamilton should have been nominated for an academy award for that part.


Don Cardi

The choice of Hamilton might have been motivated by FFC's intent to portray a sharp contrast between the world of crime (and its earthy inhabitants) which Michael was trying to leave behind and the legitimate world in which he was trying to immerse himself. Hamilton (despite the tan) was the lilly-white, anglo superman that often times represents the business world.

Hamilton wasn't the first choice, but FFC determined that David Hasselhoff was too young for the part.

I'd bet that Hamilton was one of the few people willing to even take the part. No actor of any stature at the time would have dared played the guy who replaced Tom Hagen/Robert Duvall.

Also...being primarily a 'B' actor, Hamilton probably settled for a substantially lower salary than most of the others.

Apple

I think once he cast Sofia to play Mary he decided to cast Hamilton to deflect criticism of HER acting skills.

Ricardo Montalban was busy with Hollywood Squares - Hamilton was the obvious second choice