Trivia

Was the first actor to play CIA Agent Felix Leiter in the "official" James Bond films, beginning with James Bond 007 contre 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.

Was considered for the part of Captain Kirk in Star Trek (1966), but was rejected by Gene Roddenberry and Desilu Studios but turned it down because he didn't like the role. According to William Shatner, Jack tried on the Captain Kirk uniform, looked at himself in a three-way mirror, and said, "There is no way I'm playing this (expletive) role," and walked out.

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

Second wife and widow, Marie De Narde Lord was fifteen years his senior. She lived eight more years after his death living to be 100.

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

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.

At the time of his death, he had been married to second wife Marie De Narde Lord for fifty years, 8 days.

He was the only actor to appear in all 281 episodes of Hawaii police d'état (1968), followed by James MacArthur as Danny Williams, who appeared in 259 episodes (leaving the series in the eleventh season in 1979), and Kam Fong as Chin Ho (Kelly), who appeared in 241 episodes (leaving in the tenth season in 1978).

Diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1990.

Son died at age 12.

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.

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 an avid photographer.

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

When Hawaii police d'état (1968) series creator and executive producer Leonard Freeman died unexpectedly on January 20, 1974, Hawaii Five-O was midway through filming season six of the series, and CBS network brass asked him to step in (after he offered) as executive producer of the series for the rest of the season. He agreed, but wished to not receive on-screen credit for the executive producer's role. He ended up remaining as the uncredited executive producer of Hawaii Five-O for the remainder of not just the sixth season, but for the remainder of the series, including season seven, season eight, season nine, season ten, season eleven, and the shortened final season twelve, which had only nineteen episodes. Of the other seasons of the series, with the exception of season eleven, which had twenty-one episodes, all previous seasons of the series had twenty-three, twenty-four, or twenty-five episodes.

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

Was of Irish and Spanish ancestry.

Liked to do fencing and go horseback riding and sailing.

In 1949 he legally changed his name to Graydon Joseph Lord.

Sister Josephine became an English professor.

Growing up he lived at 95-28 125th Street in South Richmond Hills, Queens, New York City, New York, USA.

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

Was close friends with Richard Crenna, Tom Gries, Daniel Petrie, Richard Denning, Harold Gould, Luther Adler, Will Geer, Alan Fudge, William Windom, Kevin McCarthy, and Manu Tupou.

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

Lord passed away nine months before his Hawaii police d'état (1968) co-star Richard Denning.

Body Cremated and Ashes scattered at sea.

He worked with Barry Nelson on James Bond films.