Jack Lord facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jack Lord
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Lord as Detective Steve McGarrett in Hawaii Five-O
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| Born |
John Joseph Patrick Ryan
December 30, 1920 Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
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| Died | January 21, 1998 (aged 77) Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S
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| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1949–1980 |
| Known for | Steve McGarrett in Hawaii Five-O |
| Spouse(s) |
Ann Cicily Ward
(m. 1944; div. 1947)Marie De Narde
(m. 1949) |
| Children | 1 |
John Joseph Patrick Ryan (born December 30, 1920 – died January 21, 1998), known by his stage name Jack Lord, was an American actor, director, and producer. He was famous for playing Steve McGarrett in the TV show Hawaii Five-O, which aired from 1968 to 1980.
Contents
Jack Lord's Early Life and Dreams
Jack Lord was born in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were from Ireland. He grew up in Richmond Hill, Queens, New York.
Growing Up and Learning
As a child, Jack learned to ride horses on his mother's farm. He spent summers working on ships, traveling to places like Africa and China. During these trips, he would draw and paint the landscapes he saw. He went to John Adams High School and later the United States Merchant Marine Academy. He became an officer in the Merchant Marine. He also studied Fine Arts at New York University.
From Sailor to Actor
During World War II, Jack helped build bridges in Persia (now Iran) with the United States Army Corps of Engineers. He later returned to the Merchant Marine. While making training films for the Merchant Marine, he became interested in acting.
Jack Lord's Acting Career
Jack Lord trained to be an actor at famous schools like the Neighborhood Playhouse and the Actors Studio. To pay for his acting classes, he worked as a car salesman in New York City.
First Steps on Stage and Screen
Jack Lord first appeared on Broadway in a play called The Traveling Lady in 1954. He won an award for his acting in this play. He also starred in other plays like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
His first movie role was in 1949 in a film called The Red Menace. He also helped produce a movie called Cry Murder in 1950. In 1957, he starred in Williamsburg: the Story of a Patriot, a film that still plays daily at Colonial Williamsburg.
Famous Movie Roles
In 1962, Jack Lord was the first actor to play Felix Leiter in the James Bond movie series. He appeared in the very first Bond film, Dr. No.
He also starred in a TV show called Stoney Burke from 1962 to 1963. In this show, he played a rodeo cowboy. Jack Lord said that actor Gary Cooper inspired his character in Stoney Burke.
Other TV Appearances
Jack Lord appeared in many popular TV shows. Some of these include Bonanza, Gunsmoke, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., and The Fugitive. He was also considered for the role of Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek, but the role went to William Shatner.
His Most Famous Role: Hawaii Five-O
Jack Lord starred as Detective Steve McGarrett in Hawaii Five-O for 12 years, from 1968 to 1980. His character led a special police team in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Behind the Scenes of Five-O
- The show's opening scene shows Jack Lord standing on a balcony at the Ilikai hotel.
- His famous line, "Book 'em, Danno!", became very popular.
- At the end of each episode, Jack Lord would say, "This is Jack Lord inviting you to be with us next week for (name of episode). Be here. Aloha!"
- He made sure that many local Hawaiian actors were cast in the show.
- Jack Lord insisted that his character drive Ford cars in the show.
When the show's creator, Leonard Freeman, passed away in 1974, Jack Lord became an executive producer. This meant he had a lot of control over the show's content. He paid close attention to every detail of the production.
Jack Lord as an Artist
Even before he became an actor, Jack Lord dreamed of being an artist. He and his brother opened an art school called the Village Academy of Arts. In 1941, the Metropolitan Museum of Art bought two of his artworks.
Jack Lord's Personal Life
Jack Lord was married twice. He had a son with his first wife, Ann Willard. Sadly, his son passed away at a young age.
In 1949, Jack Lord married his second wife, Marie de Narde. Marie was a fashion designer, but she stopped working to support Jack's career. They lived in New York City before moving to California.
Jack Lord's Later Years and Legacy
After Hawaii Five-O ended in 1980, Jack Lord mostly stayed out of the public eye. He passed away in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1998, at the age of 77.
Jack Lord was a very generous person. He left his entire estate to Hawaiian charities when his wife, Marie, passed away in 2005.
Remembering Jack Lord
A bronze statue of Jack Lord was placed at the Kahala Mall in Hawaii in 2004. This was a way to remember him, as he and his wife often visited that mall. Fans and his co-stars helped raise money for the memorial.
Film and TV Appearances
Jack Lord appeared in many films and television shows throughout his career. Here are some of them:
Films
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1949 | The Red Menace | John Bates |
| 1950 | Cry Murder | Tommy Warren |
| 1957 | Williamsburg: the Story of a Patriot | John Fry |
| 1958 | God's Little Acre | Buck Walden |
| 1962 | Dr. No | Felix Leiter |
| 1968 | The Name of the Game Is Kill! | Symcha Lipa |
Television Shows
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Have Gun – Will Travel | Dave Enderby | "Three Bells to Perdido" |
| 1957 | Gunsmoke | Myles Brandell | "Doc's Reward" |
| 1959 | The Untouchables | Bill Hagen | "The Jake Lingle Killing" |
| 1960 | Bonanza | Clay Renton | "The Outcast" |
| 1962–1963 | Stoney Burke | Stoney Burke | 32 episodes |
| 1965 | Combat! | Barney McKlosky | "The Linesman" |
| 1967 | The Fugitive | Alan Bartlett | "Goodbye My Love" |
| 1968–1980 | Hawaii Five-O | Det. Capt. Steve McGarrett | 281 episodes |
| 1980 | M Station: Hawaii | Admiral Henderson | Television film; also directed and produced |
See also
In Spanish: Jack Lord para niños
