Lorenzo Lamas

Lorenzo de Santos-Lamas (born January 20, 1958) is an American actor and reality television participant. Lamas is known for playing Lance Cumson, the irresponsible grandson of Angela Channing (played by Jane Wyman) on the popular 1980s soap opera Falcon Crest, Reno Raines on the 1990s crime drama Renegade, and Hector Ramirez on the daytime soap opera The Bold and The Beautiful. Lamas also served as a judge on ABC television's short-lived reality show Are You Hot?. Presently, he stars in his own reality show, Leave it to Lamas, a series about his real-life family.

Lorenzo Lamas was born in Santa Monica, California, the son of the late Argentine actor Fernando Lamas and Norwegian-American actress Arlene Dahl. He is the stepson of the swimming film starlet, Esther Williams, who married his father when Lorenzo was 11 years old. Lamas was brought up in Pacific Palisades, California and moved to New York City in 1971, when he was 13 years old. He graduated from the Admiral Farragut Academy in Pine Beach, New Jersey, in 1975.

Acting career

Longing to be an actor since the age of five, Lamas first studied acting in Tony Barr's Film Actors Workshop and quickly thereafter obtained his first TV acting role in 1976. He had a supporting role in the 1978 hit movie Grease.

In 1980, he auditioned for and won the role of Jane Wyman's playboy grandson and henchman, Lance Cumson, for the pilot of a new series entitled The Vintage Years. The pilot was later retooled to become the hit prime time drama series Falcon Crest. During a 2006 TV interview with Norwegian Television Team, Lamas said that to get the role on Falcon Crest, he'd auditioned twice and beat out five other guys for the part. During his stint on Falcon Crest, Lamas was nominated for two Soap Opera Digest Awards and a Golden Globe Award. Lamas was the only actor to appear in all 227 episodes of the series.

In 1984, Lamas was nominated for Worst Actor at the Golden Raspberry Awards for his performance in the movie Body Rock. Lamas also performed a song on the soundtrack for this movie, and the track "Fools Like Me" became his only single to date to crack the Billboard Hot 100 chart. [citation needed]

In 1992, Lamas played the role of the falsely accused cop Reno Raines in the syndicated series Renegade. The series was seen in over 100 countries [citation needed], and during its final season, it moved from first-run syndication to the USA Network. The show ended in 1997 after a run of five seasons.

From February 2004 until February 2007 Lamas played the role of Hector Ramirez on the CBS daytime soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful.

In August 2007, Lamas starred as the King of Siam in The King and I at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Ogunquit, Maine. That fall, he performed at Kean University Premiere Stages in Union, New Jersey in the title role in Steven Dietz's Dracula. Lamas performed as El Gallo in The Fantasticks at the Casa Mañana Theatre in Fort Worth, Texas in June 2008. In June 2009, Lamas returned to the Ogunquit Playhouse as Zach in A Chorus Line.

Lamas began appearing in the Zaxby's restaurant chain television advertisements in May 2008.

In 2008, Lamas appeared in season 2 of CMT's Gone Country.

In 2009, he starred in the Asylum's "Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus" as Alan Baxter, a government agent who wants to destroy both the Mega Shark and the Giant Octopus to protect the world from their destructive fights.

Lamas now stars as himself in Leave it to Lamas, a reality show that focused on his own real-life family on E!

Personal life

Lamas has been married four times. His first marriage was to Victoria Hilbert from 1981 to 1982. His next marriage was to Michele Smith in 1983, which produced two children: son A.J. Lamas (born December 19, 1983) and daughter Shayne Lamas (born November 9, 1985). He and Smith split in 1985. He married Kathleen Kinmont (daughter of his Falcon Crest co-star Abby Dalton) in 1989; they divorced in 1993. Lamas married his fourth wife, Playmate of the Month Shauna Sand, in 1996. Lamas and Sand have three daughters: Alexandra Lynne Lamas (born November 22, 1997), Victoria Lamas (born April 24, 1999), and Isabella Lorenza Lamas (born February 2, 2001). Lamas and Sand divorced in 2002.

Lamas fathered daughter Paton Lee (born 1988) with actress Daphne Ashbrook. He was engaged to Playmate of the Month Barbara Moore, but the marriage was called off.

Lamas occasionally races automobiles in the IMSA and Skip Barber Formula Dodge Series racing series. In the past, he has driven a Ford Thunderbird in his races. Lamas also holds a commercial pilot's license.

He is a co-chair of several children’s charities, including Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Lamas supported John McCain for President in 2008.[1]

Lamas has studied karate and taekwondo since 1979;[2] he has a black belt in the latter.[3]

He has a motorcycle company called Lorenzo Motorcycles.

His son, A.J. Lamas, continued the family acting tradition and starred as Rafael Ortega on As the World Turns from October 2004 to February 2005, when the role was re-cast.

On February 22, 2010, it was announced that Lamas is engaged to be married for the fifth time to his girlfriend of 3 months, 23 year old Shawna Craig

On 2010 he participate dancing on "Bailando Por Un Sueño" an argentine tv show with Marcelo Tinelli as host.

Has six children. With his second wife, Michelle Smith, has A.J. Lamas (b. December 1983) and Shayne Lamas (b. November 1985). With Daphne Ashbrook has a daughter Paton Ashbrook (Peyton Lee) (b. 1988). With Shauna Sand, Alexandra Lamas (b. 22 November 1997), Victoria Lamas (b. 24 April 1999) and Isabella Lamas (b. 2 February 2001). Has a tattoo of a woman riding a unicorn on upper back/shoulder. He has said it is a tribute to two of his father's favorite things (women and horses). He recently had this covered up by Ink Master Tommy Helm from Tattoo Nightmares (first season of Ink Master winner); it was covered up with a Conquistador on a blue horse and is a better representation of his tribute to his father. Graduated from Admiral Farragut Academy in 1975. Ex-son-in-law of Abby Dalton in real life, while he portrayed her son Lance Cumson, on Falcon Crest (1981). So, in a sense, he was both her son and her son-in-law, at the same time. Holds a commercial pilot's license. Filed for divorce in Los Angeles Superior Court from Shauna Sand, and obtained a restraining order against her because, he claims, she had physically attacked him in the past. [October 2002]

His son, A.J. Lamas, is starred in American Family (2002) and is also a model.

He wore hair extensions for the last season of Renegade (1992). Previously, it was his own hair.

His use of a laser pointer to point out imperfections in contestants on the show Are You Hot? The Search for America's Sexiest People (2003) was inspired by Ralph Cirella of The Howard Stern Show (1990), who uses a laser pointer to highlight what he likes and dislikes about women who come on the show for an evaluation. Most want to pose for Playboy.

Volunteer pilot for "Angel Flight", a charitable organization dedicated to providing free air transportation to medical facilities for patients who cannot afford public transportation or cannot tolerate it for medical reasons.

The song, "Fools Like Me", which he sang in the film Body Rock (1984), made #85 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1984.

His father was Argentinian. His mother was American, and her whole family was originally from Norway. Was the only actor or actress to appear in all 227 episodes of Falcon Crest (1981).

Best known by the public for his starring roles as Lance Cumson in Falcon Crest (1981) and as Det. Reno Raines in Renegade (1992).

His eldest daughter, Shayne Lamas, is a contestant on The Bachelor (2002) (aka The Bachelor: London Calling). Stepson of Esther Williams.

His father, born in Argentina, was a movie star there, then he moved to the USA to be an actor in Hollywood.

His father Fernando Lamas was friends with Jane Wyman, when he was just a baby. Some 20 years later, he co-starred on the hit TV series Falcon Crest (1981) as Jane Wyman's grandson.

Had starred in a series produced by James Komack that did not sell.

As a kid, he was a fan of Batman (1966).

His acting mentor was the late Jane Wyman.

He is a conservative Republican who has supported Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.

Started acting while still a teenager.

A classic rock music buff.

His stepmother Esther Williams, died on June 6, 2013, at age 91.

Friends with: Erik Estrada, Patrick Duffy, Joan Van Ark, Susan Sullivan Larry Manetti, and Larry Wilcox.

Was close to Jane Wyman.

Beat out William R. Moses for the role of Lance Cumson on Falcon Crest (1981). Moses played Cole Gioberti on the same series.

Best friend of Ana Alicia.

North Hollywood, CA: Co-hosted with his wife, Shawna Craig, the inaugural Miss North Hollywood Pageant on Sept. 15. [September 2013]

Working towards becoming a commercial helicopter pilot instructor, which he intends to do for a secondary income, along side his primary vocation, acting. [2013]

He and Susan Sullivan, both visited Jane Wyman in the hospital, when the production of the final season of Falcon Crest (1981) had already begun.

His acting mentor and former series' lead, Jane Wyman, passed away on September 10, 2007, at age 90.

His idols when he was young were Jack Webb, his ex-wife Julie London, and Martin Milner. Lamas said in an interview, he used to watch all those shows that dealt with complex social issues.

Revealed that he had a wonderful working relationship with Jane Wyman on Falcon Crest (1981).

Knew Jane Wyman from when he was only 3 months old. He was friends with her until her death in 2007.

When he came to work on Falcon Crest (1981), one day, bungling his lines, it was Jane Wyman, who cautioned him not to battle drugs.

Since birth, he became lifelong friends with and is a lifelong fan of Jane Wyman, before he co-starred opposite her on Falcon Crest (1981), like his future fellow co-stars David Selby and Ana Alicia. His family used to watch her movies, as well.

Surrogate grandson of Jane Wyman.

Credits Jane Wyman as his favorite acting mentor/best friend.

Each January of every year (for nearly 50 years), and by 15 days, he shared the same month (in birthdays) with Jane Wyman, until her death in 2007.

As an actor, he was highly influenced by Jane Wyman.

Was to star as a football player in the movie "The All Americans", to be directed by his father Fernando Lamas and to be filmed in Texas in May 1980. No evidence the film was ever made.

Actress Jane Wyman took him under her wing, since he was 23. He had been friends with her, before co-starring on Falcon Crest (1981), playing Wyman's grandson. After the series went off the air, they remained friends, until Wyman's death in 2007.

Has highly praised Jane Wyman for his stardom in acting.

Had frequently enjoyed working with his acting mentor Jane Wyman on the set of Falcon Crest (1981) and shared his company with her, in real-life. He said in various interviews, Wyman was the grandmother he never had.

As an unfamiliar actor, he had been mentored into the business by Academy Award-winning actress/philanthropist Jane Wyman. His first television exposure with Wyman was a co-starring role opposite her in the Falcon Crest (1981) series. Lamas played Wyman's irresponsible grandson, Lance Cumson, for each and every one of the 227 episodes, for the entire run.

My mission in life was to make sure that there were no women walking around who didn't know me personally. [on attending military school]: When I was there, I hated it. It's funny though, because the only things that are going to set you apart are your mind, spirit and achievements in each of our environments.

[on former B&B co-star Lesli Kay]: She's such a good mother and she's so committed to her marriage, her kids and her work. She's a terrific gal.

I grew up with a man who had a voice like Dracula and every other bigger-than-life character you could ever think of in my father. I take a little bit from him to do the accent. I've also done four movies in Bulgaria.

[on his Falcon Crest (1981) character in 1982]: They've done a little more with the character this season. They've brought out his emotional side a bit more. I guess if you're raised the way he's been, you can turn out one of two ways: incredibly rotten, or incredibly polished.

[on the charitable organization that he participated --- Angel Flight]: I started flying when my [older] kids were teenagers. They lived in Lake Havasu, Arizona, with their mother, and in order for them to come visit me, they would have to take a commercial flight from there to Phoenix, then another plane to L.A. and they would have to miss a day of school. I decided to get my pilot's license so I could fly over, pick them up myself, bring them back for the weekend and then fly them home. So learning to fly became something I did for them as much as for me.

[on Are You Hot? The Search for America's Sexiest People (2003)]: This was a reality show that was as simple as simple could be. It was a guy and a girl standing up there onstage, telling you that they think they are hot. Your job is to tell them why they are not. It was fun, especially in the beginning when you saw these people of all shapes and sizes telling you how hot they think they are. It's like the first few tryouts for American Idol where those people can't sing.

[Dealing successfully with his real-life battles on reality television]: I think it's a reflection of the society that we're living in. There are so many cameras. There is so much instant media attention, not just for celebrities, but for normal people that get thrust in the reality world. Honestly, I'm looking at it as an opportunity to get closer to two of my kids who I never really got a chance to see much of when they were younger because I was working so much, and we have a relationship that could stand to be better.

[on the death of Jane Wyman]: Next to my parents, Jane was the most influential person in my young career. She has left an incredible body of work and accomplishments that cannot go without being recognized and celebrated. I will miss her greatly.

[on his on- and off-screen chemistry with Jane Wyman, who played Angela Channing]: Jane Wyman was really very maternal to me. I was a young actor, learning, struggling with pages of dialogue, trying to make an impact and she told me one day, she said, 'You're really making too much out of it. It's just words on a page. Just know the words and say them.' She made a lot of impact in me.

[Of Jane Wyman]: With Jane, she expected you to know your lines, but she played poker with the crew at lunch. She was just a great gal; and I think that set the tone for the rest of us. She wasn't a 'spoiled diva,' and believe me, if anybody had a right to be a 'spoiled diva,' it was Jane because she has done so much, Oscar Award-winner, I mean, incredible actress, and she was just like clockwork, right there on time, always knew her lines, always ready to rehearse and she had this great affable quality. You just never talked about Ronald Reagan, that's all, that was one thing we never did, everything else was opened.

[Who admitted about Jane Wyman being one of his favorite people]: Well, I think she was harder on me, than a lot, because I represented 'not only,' myself to her, but to also the memory of my father and my mother; and, she 'kinda' in a way, sorta became my 'real grandmother'; and we would have little talks in her little wagon; not just about the scenes we're going to shot them, that afternoon, but about my family, how I was doing, which made it all that difficult not to stay on the straight and narrow.