David Hampton

David Hampton
Mug shot of David Hampton, taken by New York State Department of Correctional Services on January 10, 1985, after Hampton was arrested for attempted burglary.
Born	(1964-04-28)April 28, 1964 Buffalo, New York
Died	July 18, 2003(2003-07-18) (aged 39) Beth Israel Medical Center Manhattan, New York City
Other names	David Poitier, Patrick Owens, Antonio Jones, David Hampton-Montilio
Criminal charge	Fraud, fare-beating, credit-card theft, threats of violence, burglary, harassment
Criminal penalty	Twenty-one month prison term
Criminal status	Deceased
Conviction(s)	Attempted burglary

David Hampton (April 28, 1964 – July 18, 2003) was an American con artist and robber who became infamous in the 1980s after he managed to convince a group of wealthy Manhattanites to give him money, food, and shelter, convincing them he was the son of Sidney Poitier. His story became the inspiration for a play and a film. He died of AIDS-related complications in 2003.

Hampton was born in Buffalo, New York and was the eldest son of an attorney. He moved to New York City in 1981 and stumbled upon his now-famous ruse in 1983 when he and another man were attempting to gain entry into Studio 54. Unable to obtain entry, Hampton's partner decided to pose as Gregory Peck's son while Hampton assumed the identity of Sidney Poitier's son. They were ushered in as celebrities. Hampton began employing the persona of "David Poitier" to cadge free meals in restaurants. He also persuaded at least a dozen people into letting him stay with them and give him money, including Melanie Griffith, Gary Sinise, Calvin Klein; John Jay Iselin, the president of WNET; Osborn Elliott, the dean of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism; and a Manhattan urologist. He convinced some that he was an acquaintance of their children, some that he had just missed a plane to Los Angeles with his luggage still on it, and some that his belongings had been stolen.