John Joseph Patrick Ryan was born on 30 December 1920, in Brooklyn, New York City USA, of Irish descent, and as Jack Lord was an actor, best known for appearing in the television program “Hawaii Five-O” as the star Steve McGarrett from 1968 to 1980. He also appeared in numerous films and stage productions, and all of his efforts helped put his net worth to where it was prior to his passing in 1998.
How rich was Jack Lord? As of mid-2017, sources estimate a net worth that at $50 million, mostly earned through a successful career in acting. Some of the films he was part of include “Man of the West” and “Dr. No”; all of his achievements ensured the position of his wealth.
Jack Lord Net Worth $50 million
At a young age, Lord spent a lot of time at sea, and did painting; he also learned and developed equestrian skills. He was educated at John Adams High School, and after matriculating attended the US Merchant Marine Academy, graduating as an Ensign with a Third Mates License. He then got a football scholarship at New York University, where he studied Fine Arts. During World War II, he was a part of the US Army Corps of Engineers, mostly in Persia building bridges. He then became an Able Seaman before enrolling in the deck officer course. He also began his interest in acting at this time.
Jack then trained at the Neighborhood Playhouse, supporting himself by working as a car salesman while training, followed by attended the Actors Studio. Lord made his film debut in 1949 in “The Red Menace”, effectively a propaganda film, then tried his hand at producing in the film “Cry Murder”, but was also at home in live theater, making his Broadway debut in 1954, playing Slim Murphy in “The Traveling Lady”, and winning a Theatre World Award for his performance. He then became a part of the production “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” in 1954-55. He switched back to films, becoming the star of “Williamsburg: the Story of a Patriot”, before co-starring in the film “God’s Little Acre”, a film adaptation of the Erskine Caldwell novel. In 1962 in the premier James Bond film “Dr No”, he was the first actor to play Felix Leiter, which became a recurring role, and the same year starred in the series “Stoney Burke” as the titular character. Three years later, he made a guest appearance in “12 o-Clock High” before making a string of other guest appearances in popular shows, appearing in the first episode of “Have Gun, Will Travel”. as well as in the film “The Name of the Game Is Kill”.
Lord’s most notable role would come in “Hawaii Five-O”, which he helped conceive, and which he starred in it for 12 seasons, also becoming well known for casting native Hawaiians instead of mainland actors. Its popularity is confirmed by it becoming the longest-running cop show in television history during the airing of its last episode.
For his personal life, it is known that Jack married Anne Willard in 1944, but their marriage ended in divorce in 1947; their only son was killed in a road accident aged 13. In 1949 he married Marie de Narde who was a former fashion designer. After the end of “Hawaii Five-O” in 1980, he kept a low profile, but began suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for seven years before his death; he eventually passed away from congestive heart failure in 1998. His money was left to his wife, and was later passed to Hawaiian charities after her passing.
Dr. No, Man of the West, God's Little Acre, Walk Like a Dragon, The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell, The Hangman, Tip on a dead jockey, The Vagabond King, Williamsburg: the Story of a Patriot, The True Story of Lynn Stuart, M Station: Hawaii, Ride to Hangman's Tree, The Counterfeit Killer
TV Shows
Hawaii Five-O, Stoney Burke
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Trademark
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Detective Steve McGarrett on the original Hawaii Five-O TV series
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.
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His two younger brothers, Robert and Thomas, were twins.
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Was of Irish and Spanish ancestry.
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Liked to do fencing and go horseback riding and sailing.
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Would get up every morning at three a.m. when he was working on Hawaii Five-O.
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Had an older brother, William (Bill), two younger brothers, Robert and Thomas, and a younger sister, Josephine. Josephine became an English professor.
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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.
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His estate donated $40 million to the Hawaii Community Foundation.
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Best remembered by the public for his starring role in Hawaii Five-O (1968).
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A dedicated liberal activist, he was a vocal advocate of gun control in the United States.
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An FBI file regarding a stalker lists his height as 6' 0", 2 inches shorter than his official biography.
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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.
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Son died at age 13.
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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.
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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.
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Traci Lords has said she changed her name to "Lords" as an honor to her favorite actor, Jack Lord.
$50 Million
