Actor Jack Lord Dies at Age 77

 HONOLULU (AP) - Jack Lord, whose gruff portrayal of a Hawaiian police chief
helped turn ``Hawaii Five-0'' into one of television's longest running shows,
died Thursday evening of heart failure. He was 77.

Lord died at his Honolulu home with his wife, Marie, at his side.

``Jack loved acting and he loved these islands,'' Mrs. Lord said in a
statement. ``Through all his years he was blessed with kindness, affection and
support of many fans and friends. He always appreciated that and never forgot
it.''

Lord portrayed Steve McGarrett, the no-nonsense head of a fictitious Hawaii
state police force, for 12 years, ending in 1980. The CBS show Lord produced
and sometimes directed was seen in 80 countries with a weekly audience
estimated at more than 300 million.

Many of the 284 episodes ended with McGarrett collaring the criminals and
saying to his ubiquitous sidekick (actor James McArthur), ``Book `em, Danno!''

The show initially faced local opposition because of its depiction of crime in
paradise. But it also showcased the natural beauty of Hawaii week after week
for millions of potential tourists, and the show wound up with popular support.

Lord, a New York City native, spent his high school summers working at sea and
indulging in his first love - art.

Lord went on to major in art at New York University, which he attended on a
football scholarship. His art works made their way into a number of permanent
collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Once Lord decided to become an actor, he studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse
in New York while working days as a car salesman. He also worked at the Actors
Studio with the likes of Marlon Brando, Paul Newman and Marilyn Monroe,
appearing on Broadway before leaving for Hollywood.

Lord's film credits also include ``Dr. No,'' among the early James Bond movies,
in which he played CIA agent Felix Leighter.

Lord requested no funeral be held.