Once celebrated for his performances in acclaimed films like Call Me by Your Name, Armie Hammer’s life has taken a dramatic turn. Plagued by controversies and allegations, the actor’s once-promising career appears to be at a standstill.
Adding to the intrigue is a troubling history associated with the Hammer family.
Armie Hammer’s Troubled Family Legacy
Armie Hammer’s great-great-grandfather, Dr. Julius Hammer, faced legal troubles early in the 20th century. A publication reported that he was convicted of first-degree manslaughter after performing an abortion on a Russian diplomat’s wife, who died days later.
He was sentenced to 3.5 to 12 years in Sing Sing prison. Julius was also associated with the American Communist Party, a connection he passed down to his son, Armand Hammer.
Armand Hammer, Julius’s son, had a complicated legacy. After a decade in Russia, where he reportedly supported Joseph Stalin, Armand returned to the U.S. to reinvent himself as an industrialist. He played a key role in revitalizing Occidental Petroleum, a major player in the oil industry.
However, his life was mired in scandal. Armand was accused of money laundering, maintaining multiple mistresses, fabricating Fabergé eggs, and even aiding Richard Nixon in the Watergate cover-up. He was also suspected of funding Soviet espionage through art dealings.
Julian and Michael Hammer: Scandal Continues
Armand’s son Julian Hammer faced his own controversies. After a violent altercation over gambling debts, he killed a man but escaped prosecution. Julian’s son, Michael Hammer, Armie’s father, inherited the Knoedler Gallery.
The gallery later shut down amidst allegations of selling $70 million worth of forged artwork. Michael, too, faced accusations of leading a scandalous personal life.
Armie Hammer’s Personal Controversies
The first public signs of trouble in Armie’s life came during the pandemic. After quarantining in the Cayman Islands with his family, he abruptly left, signaling discord. His wife, Elizabeth Chambers, soon filed for divorce amidst rumors of infidelity.
Things worsened when women on social media accused Hammer of manipulation, emotional abuse, and expressing disturbing sexual fantasies, including references to cannibalism and violence. Although no charges have been filed and no evidence suggests these fantasies were acted upon, the allegations caused significant public backlash.
Armie’s lawyer, Andrew Brettler, defended him, stating, “All interactions between Mr. Hammer and his former partners were consensual, mutually discussed, and agreed upon. The stories circulated on social media were salacious and aimed to harm Mr. Hammer, but they are not true.”
Armie Hammer’s Downfall
Hammer’s career took a massive hit following the allegations. He lost two major projects—a romantic comedy with Jennifer Lopez and a Paramount series about the making of The Godfather. His agency, WME, also severed ties with him.
Despite earlier roles in films like The Lone Ranger and The Man From U.N.C.L.E., which had underwhelming box-office performances, Hammer had maintained a steady rise in Hollywood. Now, his future in the industry seems uncertain, with no major projects on the horizon.
Amid his professional and personal turmoil, the 35-year-old actor is reportedly prioritizing his two children, who live with his ex-wife in the Cayman Islands. Whether Hammer can redeem his career remains to be seen, but for now, his focus appears to be on rebuilding his life away from the limelight.
