#50 - Actor Lorenzo Lamas

In this informal and highly personal conversation with Bob & Suzanne, Lorenzo Lamas shares intimate stories of his childhood as the son of legendary movie stars Fernando Lamas and Arlene Dahl and as the stepson of MGM super-star Esther Williams. Lorenzo with stepmom Esther Williams & dad Fernando Lamas You'll hear what life was like as a boy growing up in the shadow of his parents' showbiz fame…and how he transformed himself from a chubby teen to a genuine Hollywood heartthrob. Lorenzo tells fascinating stories of his years bouncing around between schools in New York and California, and of the day he told his father he wanted to become an actor. An impromptu "audition" for his movie star parents soon had him studying at the famed Tony Barr Film Actors Workshop. It wasn't long before Lorenzo was cast in small TV roles and found himself playing alongside John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in Grease. Lorenzo's rising profile as an actor soon led to a long list of guest roles on hot TV shows like Switch, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, and Hotel. But it was Lorenzo's audition for the role of "Lance Cumson" on CBS-TV's Falcon Crest that shot him to stardom working with family friend Jane Wyman. As the only Falcon Crest cast member to appear in all 227 episodes, Lorenzo shares a unique perspective on the series. During this interview, Lorenzo reveals how he was cast by Stephen J. Cannell as "Reno Raines" in Renegade, a starring role that captured his true persona. Lorenzo also shares details here about his new autobiography, Renegade at Heart, and reveals his feelings about life as a "reality" TV star as well as his love of performing in live theater, where he's had starring roles in The King and I, The Fantasticks, and A Chorus Line. Lorenzo Lamas—martial arts black belt, professional helicopter pilot (wait until you hear about that!), published author, acclaimed TV-film-stage actor—is today's definition of a true Hollywood Renaissance Man!