For the Canadian filmmaker see Hugh O'Connor (filmmaker). Not to be confused with Hugo Oconór.



Hugh Edward Ralph O'Connor (April 7, 1962 – March 28, 1995) was an American actor and the son of actor Carroll O'Connor. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Det./Lt. Lonnie Jamison on the television police drama, In the Heat of the Night, which originally aired from 1988-1994. O'Connor committed suicide in 1995.

Biography

Hugh O'Connor was born in Rome, Italy. When he was six days old, he was adopted by Carroll O'Connor and his wife Nancy. Carroll was in Rome filming Cleopatra. He was named after Carroll O'Connor's brother, who died in a motorcycle accident in 1961. When he was 16, Hugh was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. He survived the cancer with chemotherapy and two surgeries but became addicted to drugs. He had been taking prescription drugs for the pain and marijuana for nausea but later became dependent on harder drugs. Despite numerous stays at rehabilitation clinics, he never conquered his addiction and remained in recovery.