The Most Intimate Story Ever About Jack Lord

TV Star Parade, July 1963

Just how intimate can a story on Jack Lord get? We have the answer. Back in April we invited our readers to send in any questions they had about Stoney Burke and he promised that he would reply to them himself. You did, he did, and here are the results.

I was born on December 30^th in New York City. Stoney Burke is my labor of love. Stoney is a wonderful character. I turned down Ben Casey and a total of 22 series of the past several years. When I read the first Stoney script, I knew this was what I wanted to do.

I’m married to the most fascinating and interesting woman I have ever met—anywhere in the world. Her name is Marie.

I have been offered several musical comedies on Broadway…and several recording contracts. I suspect I will take one of them rather soon.

I have had a very exciting life - and I think every youth should have the same opportunity before he settles down to the responsibilities of marriage and possibly a family. V. J. is still very much on the show, and we’re the best of friends. Could you possibly be referring to the time we had a disagreement on Stoney Burke? That was for the duration of that one segment…and only make-believe for that show.

Does you son, Patrick Ryan, know that he and ‘Tony Buck’ share something in common? My name on the show is, as you know, Stoney Burke. The name I use professionally is Jack Lord. But I was born Joseph Patrick Ryan.

I do everything except come out of the chute. I wouldn’t want to do that anyway but even if I did, the insurance company wouldn’t let me. They consider me too valuable to the show to risk in those dangerous riding sequences. I have been riding since I was seven years old…on my grandfather’s farm in the Hudson Valley.

I own a small string of quarter horses, which I stable at my ranch in the Valley.

I have always been attracted to the sea…and enjoy doing seascapes. My second choice would be doing landscapes.

I try not to limit my reading to any one kind of literature. My interests are varied…and so the things I read vary as my interests spread.

I’ve already been on my honeymoon with the girl I wanted to marry - my wife Marie.

We have horses and dogs at our range…three Weimaraners.

I met my wife in a little town in Connecticut. She actually was ‘the girl next door.’ I was looking for a home to rent for the summer while I was doing something on Broadway. Marie happened to be living in the house next door to the home I rented for the summer.

Don’t go stead simply because everybody is doing it. The more people you go out with, the better prepared you will be for making the big choice of selecting a partner for life.

No. Absolutely not! I don’t girls…or boys…of any age should talk back to their parent.

Drucilla, that saddle is very heavy to carry - but I can’t tell you exactly how heavy because I don’t believe we’ve ever weighted it. Let me answer your question in this way. Every western saddle is heavy…but just how heavy depends upon the trappings…if it has silver on it and if so, how much…whether there is a place for a rifle, etc.

When a girl starts dating should depend upon that particular young lady’s own maturity - and she should date only when her parents think she’s ready to assume the responsibilities of being a young lady and dating.

Marie and I have discussed this short skirt business and we both feel that a girl’s hemline should be guided by the figure not by the fashion.

Marie has no ambition to become an actress. She is a fashion designer…and continues to do her own clothes.

I definitely believe every young person should have an education…and everyone can manage an education under our system of free schooling.

I don’t mind answering any questions if it helps people.

Unfortunately, Stoney can’t receive an Academy Award since those awards are reserved for motion pictures.

I have been in show business about nine years now…going into ten…ever since I was in my early twenties. As you know I have a double who rides those wild horses. He is my very dear friend…and he’s a man whom I admire and respect. His name is Casey Tibbs.

It takes six shoot days to film Stoney Burke…which runs under an hour showing time.

I don’t know of a town called Mission Ridge…and since reading your question, I’ve check my atlas…and didn’t find one listed there either.

I’m in my early 30’s.

No my wife doesn’t object to ‘all these pretty young girls’! She knows I’m only acting and that I love her. My wife Marie is my ears, my eyes, my hands. I couldn’t live without her.

I don’t drink.

Marie is in her late twenties.

We live in a lovely two thousand square foot apartment off the Sunset Strip. Since the apartment is on the fourth floor, we have a magnificent view…on three exposures…of the ocean, the Santa Monica Hills and Hollywood. Weekends we spend at our ranch in the San Fernando Valley.

Stoney Burke may not be the best rider…but he’s great! And, since no one is perfect, no one is infallible…keep watching Stoney and you’ll see he makes mistakes, too.

I’m 6’2" tall and have light brown hair and brown eyes.

The show is made all over the San Fernando Valley…and on locations at various arenas throughout Southern California.

I read each and every letter…and answer them all.

I regret that Stoney is going off - but the show has been wonderful for me and I’m grateful for the opportunities it has given me. I’m confident that movies are coming back stronger than ever and I hope to be a part of it.

The name of my producing company is Lord and Lady Productions.

Stoney Burke is an admirable character and I believe he is a good influence on the young people who watch the show.

I admire anybody who draws…or who does things with his hands. Everybody should paint! It stirs the imagination!

I truly believe that programs of the caliber of Stoney Burke help for better understanding of problems between friends and problems between youngsters and their families.

I think that Miss Young is one of Hollywood’s greatest all-time starts. I’ve not only enjoyed watching her show…I’ve had the pleasure of appearing on one of them.

Warren and Robert are both fun characters - and both of them have a wonderful sense of humor. We’re like one big happy family - and that’s important when you work as hard as we do turning on a segment each week.

My wife Marie and I have a small ranch out in Chatsworth in the San Fernando Valley. It’s a wonderful weekend retreat…and it’s within a short distance of our apartment in Hollywood.

It’s difficult to understand why…but they are taking Stoney off the air. We have received so many, may awards and acknowledgements - from views and critics alike.

Sure I get mad - doesn’t everybody?

I wear cowboy outfits just on the show. My wife, who was a fashion designer and who has great taste in men’s clothes as well…likes me to wear more casual clothes, clothes more suitable to various occasions.

Stoney is a marvelous human being for any one to model himself after…and if it helps you and your bothers and your cousins in any way, he would be most pleased.

My wife calls me Mick. People in the business call me Jack. My wood cuts and lithographs purchased by the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art carry the name of Joseph Patrick Ryan.

While trying to choose a professional name, I discovered that one branch of my ancestors actually carried the surname of Lord…and I decided upon the name.

I love to paint the vibrant, alive colors used by the Impressionists…with yellow being the top choice, of course.

Stoney is a man of peace. He feels no problem - whether between people or nations - can be solved by violence.

My wife Marie is of French ancestry. She was born in the country - but she was raised in France.

We’ve been married for almost 10 years.

I drive a beige Cadillac Convertible.

No, I’m not building a house. I’m happy in our apartment…and happy at our ranch on weekends.

I wear a size 12 show. School is for education and learning not for sleeping.

Occasionally I wear Bermuda shorts…I did in Jamaica last springs when I was filming Dr. No.

While I don’t always approve of the zany things teenagers do, basically I admire youth…its freshness and its spontaneity particularly.

I believe youngster should have respect for their elders. If you are addressing any grownup, I think you should be respectful and address him as Dear Mr. So-and-So.

I started acting because I love the Theatre. As for Stoney, Leslie Stevens, the name who created the show, gave me the script and I fell in love with the character.

I agree with you. Marie is very pretty. But as for whether or not she thinks she’s lucky, you’d have to ask her that for yourself!

When I was in my early twenties.

In all Jack’s mail, two questions came up again and again. One was "Do you have a fan club?" And the answer is ‘no."

The other: "Where can I get a picture?" To this Jack says, "Please write to me at this address:

Mr. Jack Lord

C/o Daystar Productions

9028 Sunset Blvd.

Los Angeles 69, Calif."