Fernando Lamas

By his mid-30s, Fernando Lamas was already a heartthrob and bona fide movie star in his native Argentina, but he was more than willing to bring his unique brand of suave sophistication to the United States. He was initially typecast for American audiences, playing characters that mirrored his real-life persona, but he managed to branch out over time, especially during his many guest appearances on popular network television series. Lamas also moved beyond acting; he both starred in and directed 1967's "The Violent Ones," a crime drama that explored the clashing of white and Hispanic cultures. Once again, network television welcomed Lamas, where he directed a handful of programs, including several episodes of the iconic '70s crime drama "Starsky and Hutch."

In 1982, shortly before succumbing to cancer, he had the opportunity to direct his son Lorenzo Lamas in an episode of the primetime soap opera "Falcon Crest." Fernando had three short marriages, each producing a child and ending in divorce, before settling down in 1969 with actress Esther Williams. The two remained married until his death in 1982.