James Hayden (November 25, 1953 – November 8, 1983) was an American actor from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Apart from starring on Broadway, he is best known for playing Patrick "Patsy" Goldberg in the 1984 film Once Upon a Time in America.
Life and career Hayden trained and served as a medic in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.Staff report (November 21, 1983). Obituary. Time On his discharge, he returned to New York, attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and began working as an actor.
In 1983, the year of his death, Hayden portrayed a heroin addict in the critically acclaimed Broadway play American Buffalo, co-starring with his close friend Al Pacino.Rich, Frank (October 28, 1983). Theater: Al Pacino, 'American Buffalo.' New York TimesNightingale, Benedict (November 6, 1983). Stage View: 'American Buffalo' Proves Its Quality. New York Times
According to The New York Times, on November 8, 1983, at 4:30 AM, Hayden was speaking to his estranged wife, on the telephone, when his voice suddenly ceased. Mrs. Hayden immediately called Hayden's physician, and the physician called the 911 emergency number over to Hayden's Manhattan apartment at 69th Street and Broadway. Police discovered Hayden slumped over the kitchen sink, telephone still in hand. On the floor of the kitchen, police had found a hypodermic needle and several glassine envelopes believed to contain heroin. He was pronounced dead at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center. Just six hours before his death, he had received a standing ovation for his performance.Freedman, Samuel G. (November 9, 1983). Actor Who Played An Addict Dies, Apparently Of Overdose New York Times
In 1984, during the making of The Pope of Greenwich Village, Mickey Rourke dedicated his performance to the memory of Hayden.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1980 Cruising Cockpit Coke Man (scenes deleted)1980 Marilyn: The Untold Story TV movie1980 The First Deadly Sin Young Policeman 1981 The Intruder Within Harry Colman TV movie1981 The Nesting GI #1 1981 The Patricia Neal Story Martin Sheen TV movie1984 Once Upon a Time in America Patrick "Patsy" Goldberg Posthumous release
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