Jack Lord Was Too Cool For School

Television characters like Steve McGarrett are larger than life. The heart of Hawaii Five-O, McGarrett was tough, savvy and sharply dressed. He drove a cool car. He could rock a floral print shirt and throw a hard right hook. He had an awesome catchphrase — "Book 'em, Danno."

But the man behind the character was far more fascinating. Jack Lord was more than an actor — he was a true renaissance man. The biggest stars of classic TV tended to have biographies more fantastic than the wildest script could dream up. This true-life experience seeped into the characters and oozed off the screen. It is not coincindence that incredible people made incredible characters.
Painter, poet, Cadillac salesman, sailor, singer, sartorialist — Jack Lord did it all. Of course, his name was not originally Jack Lord. We begin his tale there…

http://metv.com/lists/10-reasons-jack-lord-was-truly-the-most-interesting-man-on-television

He was offered the role of Captain Kirk before Shatner.

In some alternate universe, Star Trek reruns are airing with Jack Lord and Martin Landau in the roles of Kirk and Spock. (Now that sounds like a Star Trek plot.) After the captain of the original pilot episode, Jeffrey Hunter, was given the boot on the show, Gene Roddenberry offered the new lead role of James Kirk to Lord. However, Lord had rather high salary demands. He reportedly wanted 50% ownership of the series. Shatner was simply cheaper.