Biography for
Jack Lord (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

30 December 1920, New York City, New York, USA

Date of Death

21 January 1998, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (congestive heart failure)

Birth Name

John Joseph Patrick Ryan

Height

6' (1.83 m)

Mini Biography

Jack Lord will probably be best remembered as Steve McGarett in the long running television series "Hawaii Five-O" (1968), but he was much more than that however. He starred in several movies, directed several episodes of his show, was in several Broadway productions, and was an accomplished artist. Two of his paintings were acquired by New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum of Modern Art by the time he was twenty. Lord was also known for being a very cultured man who loved reading poetry out loud on the set of his TV show and as being somewhat reclusive at his Honolulu home. He met his son from his first marriage, who was killed in an accident when he was thirteen, only once as a baby.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Jarod Hitchings <Mycal4@hotmail.com>

Mini Biography

Jack Lord was the son of William Lawrence Ryan, steamship company executive. He learned his equestrian skills at his mother's fruit farm in the Hudson River Valley. At age 15 he started spending summers at sea in the Merchant Marine, and from the deck of ships, painted and sketched the landscapes he encountered; Africa, Mediterranean, China. Education: New York school system, Trumbull Naval Academy, in New London, CT., graduating an Ensign with a Third Mates License. On a football scholarship, New York University securing a degree in Fine Arts. Neighborhood Playhouse in New York, and the Actor's Studio. During World War II he served in the Merchant Navy. While making maritime training films during the Korean War he took to the idea of acting. This is when he decided to attend the Neighborhood Playhouse, working as a Cadillac salesman in New York to fund his studies. Later, at the Actor's Studio, he studied with Marlon Brando, Paul Newman, and Marilyn Monroe. His first work on Broadway was in, "Traveling Lady", "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof"; followed by his first in Hollywood, "Court Martial of Billy Mitchell" with Gary Cooper.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Anonymous

Spouse

Marie De Narde	(13 January 1949 - 21 January 1998) (his death)
Ann Cecily Willard	(1944 - 1947) (divorced) 1 child

Trade Mark

Always wore large panama hats

Trivia

Traci Lords has said she changed her name to "Lords" as an honor to her favorite actor, Jack Lord.

Lord was about to reprise the role of Felix Leiter in Goldfinger (1964), but producer Albert R. Broccoli feared that his portrayal of 007's CIA partner would overshadow the persona of James Bond as the main character. The character part was recast, with Cec Linder as the new Leiter.

Was considered for the part of Captain Kirk in "Star Trek" (1966), but was rejected by Gene Roddenberry and Desilu Studios because Lord wanted to also be co-producer, and own a percentage of the series.

Son died at age 13.

Originally wanted to be billed as "Jack Ryan," but discovered that another actor had already registered that name with Actor's Equity. He wanted a short name, so he chose "Jack Lord" instead.

An FBI file regarding a stalker lists his height as 6' 0", 2 inches shorter than his official biography.

A dedicated liberal activist, he was a vocal advocate of gun control in the United States.

Best remembered by the public for his starring role in Hawaii Five-O (1968).

His estate donated $40 million to the Hawaii Community Foundation.

Was the first actor to play CIA Agent Felix Leiter in the "official" James Bond films, beginning with Dr. No (1962). His real name, John Patrick Ryan, is also the name of the CIA Agent hero of Tom Clancy's novels. Both characters first appeared on film opposite Sean Connery.

Had an older brother, William (Bill), two younger brothers, Robert and Thomas, and a younger sister, Josephine. Josephine became an English professor.

Would get up every morning at three a.m. when he was working on Hawaii Five-O.

Liked to do fencing and go horseback riding and sailing.

Was of Irish and Spanish ancestry.

His two younger brothers, Robert and Thomas, were twins.

Graduated from John Adams High School in Ozone Park, Queens, in June of 1938. He played football, was the art editor of the yearbook, president of the Arts and Crafts Club, and was a member of the Young Scientists' Club.