Lorenzo Lamas attends ABC's 50th Anniversary Special in Hollywood. (Photo: Vince Bucci / Getty Images)

Classically handsome actor who, after playing younger leading men, such as on "Falcon Crest" (CBS, 1981-90), settled into action heroes in low-budget martial arts features and the syndicated "Renegades" (1992- ). Lorenzo Lamas was the son of actor Fernando Lamas and actress-model Arlene Dahl and the stepson of musical swimming star Esther Williams. Lamas was barely out of his teens when he began to win roles. He played a friend of the son of Dobie Gillis on the CBS reunion special, "Whatever Happened to Dobie Gillis" (1977), and, in 1979, had his first regular series berth playing Rick, who ran the local hangout on "California Fever" (CBS, 1979). In 1980, Lamas was cast with O.J. Simpson in the TV movie "Detour to Terror" (NBC), in which Lamas played a homicidal dune-buggy driving thug, and from 1980-81 he was back on CBS in the teen serial, "The Secrets of Midland Heights." When that show failed, the network moved him to the more adult serial "Falcon Crest," on which Lamas played to-the-manor-born playboy Lance Cumson from 1981-90. Also during that period, in 1986, he hosted the syndicated series "Dancin' to the Hits." Two years after the demise of "Falcon Crest," Lamas began playing Reno Raines, a cop falsely accused of a crime who is now a fugitive helping others fight for justice on the syndicated "Renegade," which rose from its 1992 premiere to become one of the most popular series internationally. Lamas also occasionally directed episodes of the series, in which he was featured riding off into the sunset on his motorcycle at the end of each weekly installment. The popularity of the series helped Lamas win other roles, such as "Bad Blood" (HBO, 1994), in which he was a man trying to protect his family from the mob. In features, Lamas got his start in 1978, playing a rebellious high school wrestler in "Take Down" and the BMOC straight-laced hunk (with his dark hair dyed blond, mind you), juxtaposed to the cool dudes in "Grease." He also played a supporting role in the Brooke Shields pinball wizard "Tilt" (1979). Occupied by TV throughout the 80s, Lamas returned to the big screen in the 90s, now in action films, usually of lower budget and giving him a chance to demonstrate his prowess with the martial arts. He was fighting gladiators in "Final Round" (1993), but merely generic bad guys in "Bounty Tracker" (1993). In "Bad Blood" (1995), Lamas was a man who returns to his own bad ways to save his brother. Lamas also has a passion for motor racing and has participated in the Grand Prix circuit.