Guy Williams' Interview was conducted by Fred C. Kennedy Contributing Editor, 
TV Times April 14, 1965 Vol 8, No 2.

He was born Armando Catalano in New York City; January 14th 1924 and he now stands at just over 6’ 3", weighing a slim 190 lbs. Sporting wavy brown hair and hazel eyes, this charming physical athlete has much to be pleased about.

By Christmas 1964, with the name of Guy Williams, he is an actor who is sitting on top of the world having starred in some of the world's most popular film fare. Zorro, Bonanza, Suspense Theatre, Gunsmoke, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Studio One, Highway Patrol, The Lone Ranger and Maverick are just some of his TV work.

In movies he has featured in The Sign of Zorro, Zorro the Avenger, Mississippi Gambler, 
I Was a Teenage Werewolf, Captain Sindbad, The Prince and the Pauper and Damon and Pythias.

Guy has continually excelled since the early nineteen fifties, in a career that emerged from a photographic model to emulating the swashbuckling heroics of Errol Flynn.

His Italian father Attilio Catalano (an. insurance broker) and mother Claire Catalano (also Italian) came to America several years before Guy was born. Educated in New York at George Washington High School, Guy progressed to receive an advanced education at Peekskill Military Academy.

"But I never figured that's how I would meet my wife," Guy says.

Guy said: "I'm afraid I was a pretty indifferent student, though. Really the only subject I excelled in was mathematics".

Despite his protestations of indifference, Guy is extremely well read and holds his own in any discussion on ancient history or theology. He is one of the United States' better chess players, having competed in professional tournaments against several of America's top chess masters.

Guy earned his first dollars when he was attending high school, working occasional hours in a soda fountain (a soft drink restaurant). With his schooling completed, Guy decided to tackle modelling in the vastness of New York City. His father relentlessly wanted him to pursue a brokerage career, but Guy had other ideas.

Throughout the late-1940's, photographic modelling was a way that seemed all to easy for Guy, and the work was continuous. He admits Hollywood producers first noticed his photogenic qualities when he posed for advertisements in various reputable magazines. "I figured modelling would be a good way to break into acting."

Yes, he met his future wife; lovely Powers model Janice Cooper, while modelling. "We were introduced on an assignment for a cigarette ad. We had to look like we were going skiing and the big action of the advertisement came when I had to tighten my ski boots" says Guy - with a big grin.

"The photographer shot this sequence about 50 times, and by the time he had finished, I had gotten to know Janice pretty well!" After a whirlwind six-city courtship, Guy and Janice were married in the city of New York, and as Guy (still smiling) puts it, "We consolidated our finances ".

In 1952, the Williams' welcomed their first child; a curly-blond haired son they christened Steve Catalano. Also that year, fate would direct Guy towards his destiny; while in his home city (New York), Guy was interviewed and screen-tested by Hollywood agent Sophie Rosenstein. She returned to Hollywood recommending that Universal International Studios place him under an exclusive one-year contract.

I've always thought that it's a pity more people don't recognise this really great sport."  The Zorro TV series finished prematurely in 1959, and for the next year he made many public appearances, and two Zorro movies for the Disneyland series.

They did so within four weeks. Before leaving New York for Hollywood, Guy was in constant demand for acting work in New York's Neighborhood Playhouse and television productions as Studio One.

Guy immediately acted good part-roles in movies such as The Mississippi Gambler (with Tyrone Power and Dennis Weaver), Bonzo goes to College (with Gene Lockhart Maureen O'Sullivan, David Janssen & Irene Ryan) and I Was a Teenage Werewolf (with Michael Landon & Whit Bissell).

Shortly before winding up his year of work at Universal Studios, he was badly injured in a fall from a horse. He bears a long scar on his left shoulder as a remembrance of the accident. Smiling Guy says, "It only hurts today when I think about it".

Despite the fact he acted alongside tinsel town’s finest players, Guy was somewhat discouraged by his first movie experience, saying ''There are a million actors in Hollywood going for every starring role." Guy returned to New York to continue acting and occasional advertisement modelling.

It wasn't until early 1957 that he decided to try Hollywood again. It was his greatest stroke of luck, for his second visit led to his long career as the television swashbuckling Zorro, for the Walt Disney Studios.

During Zorro's production run, Guy and Janice welcomed yet another addition to their family, a beautiful blonde-haired daughter Toni, born in 1958. By this time, Guy had been catapulted to the extreme of fame; there was no other television star in the late fifties who was as popular, or more handsome than he.

US media critics called Guy the new Errol Flynn for his athletic looks, smiling charm and faultless ability with the sword. Fencing is a revelry that Guy takes very seriously and enjoys immensely. "Fencing is a marvellous sport, " he enthused. "It keeps you in good physical trim and it's exciting."

Walt Disney was reluctant to let his star go, so additionally he decided to remake Mark Twain's much loved. The Prince and the Pauper into a full length colour motion picture. (Errol Flynn starred in the 1937 black & white Warner Brothers version).

And so it was, early in 1961 Guy travelled to Shepperton Studios in England & starred as the daring soldier of fortune; Miles Hendon (with Australian actor Sean Scully playing both title roles). Disney sparred no expense in making this costume drama with beautiful location shooting. The film was enormously successful, enthusiastically received and was shown worldwide.

But sooner or later all good things come to an end, and so Guy's last payroll collection at Disney Studios came in mid 1961 - which also finally put his Zorro character to rest.

It is the ancient legend based on two men whose names today stand as a symbol of eternal friendship. The setting was the state city of Syracuse on the island of Sicily, ruled in 400 B.C. by the tyrant Dionysius. Swordplay, intrigue, treachery, a suspenseful game of the hunter and the hunted, plus 1,500 extras (in the film's climactic scenes) all play great parts in the spectacle story.

Guy has some regrets about finishing his favourite character. "It was sad to leave the Disney Studios, even my son loved the show. I made good friends at Disney, which has a very good atmosphere; it's a friendly place to work. Id like to work for Walt again, if another good character came up ."

"Disney was good at making shows as anybody. Nobody was doing it any better. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the damn thing (Zorro) went on forever and ever."

To look at Guy, one realises an energetic man with a personality full of sparkle who loves the life of being an actor. "One thing I especially enjoy is the travelling, " he said. "After The Prince and the Pauper, I went to Europe several times. I took my wife and kids with me on a couple of my European jaunts, they loved it. We enjoy doing things as a family."

"The next thing I did was (the film) Damon and Pythias in Rome ." Starring Guy as Damon, Don Burnett as Pythias, and Italian actress Liana Orfei (as Guy's sweet-heart), it was an expensive undertaking for MGM.

In Greece, Pythias is called upon to bring Arcanos (a philosophy teacher believing all men are brothers) to safety from Syracuse and Dionysius is determined to put him to death. On his arrival, Pythias meets Damon a robber who tries to steal his money.

The two begin to fight, but the arrival of Dionysius' guards forces them to flee. Both have cause to fear the guardsmen - Damon because he is a robber, Pythias because he has come to affect Arcanos' escape. Damon offers to help him find Arcanos, but he soon accepts a guard's bribe that betrays Pythias.

In turn Pythais knocks Damon to the ground and almost kills him. Stopping Pythias is his act of mercy which changes Damon ... seeing in him, for the first time in his life; a friend.

Pythias is soon captured & almost executed when news reaches him that his wife is expecting a baby. Damon offers to take Pythias' place as a sacrifice. Dionysius agrees, but if he does not return to Syracuse within two months, Damon will die in his place.

However Dionysius gives secret orders to prevent Pythais from returning. In spite of many attempts to stop him, Pythias arrives to find Damon roped to a post in a huge crowd-filled square awaiting death at the hands of a squad of deadly archers.

This is the suspenseful climax, and it's where we interviewed Guy. It's December 1961 in Rome, where the chilly winds blew around the short tunic of Guy who was hanging by his wrists from a post. He spoke of the many locations throughout Italy, where this picture was lavishly produced....

"These locations capture the flavour of this pre-christian era. We're using the famous 'Roman Batha of CaracalIa', (as a prison set) the Grotte di Salone (ancient underground huge caves) 30 miles from Rome, and seaside places at Gaeta & Terracina, near Naples."

One incident Guy's wife, Janice remembers; was driving along the roads of Italy when Guy accidentally drove into a tunnel - the wrong way. "Fortunately there wasn't an accident, but the Italian police swooped upon us after Guy turned the car around & we were travelling in the right direction.:"

"We're a lucky lot, this generation of movie actors" he said squirming. 'Many dream of wandering around the world at one time or another, but few of us really make it. People save for years for a little trip. Yet here we are, doing what we like best, working at our craft while others pay the airline tickets."

He squirmed a little more and added; "I almost wish they'd fire those warm arrows and get it over with. It's cold up here ."

Despite Guy's Welsh name of Williams and New York birth, he felt entirely at home in Italy. His Italian parents spoke their native tongue to Guy until he was old enough to go to school. So in Rome, he did as the Romans do, finding he could recall the language of his childhood without much difficulty.

'The two policemen approached the car and one started to speak very loudly to Guy - they spoke so fast that Guy was having trouble understanding them. But soon there was silence as the police started to talk to one another."

"I was a little worried at this stage, but when one officer came back, he spoke in a much quieter tone of voice and I heard him say the word "Zorro "....The officers had recognised Guy."

"So instead of signing a driving infringement fine, Guy started to sign autographs. I'll never forget that!"

Within a few months, the next movie Guy starred in was Captain Sindbad (also for MGM) working in Germany. Still with that effervescent smile, Guy said "I loved it over there. Their working conditions are very different from those in Hollywood. They are great fans in their own way."

Filmed on the largest sets ever built, this family film is an absorbing Arabian nights adventure of continuous magical feats, set against a background of Oriental splendour with thousands of extras. The enchanting movie has no less than 326 special effects.

Sailing aboard the Golden Lion, Sindbad & his crew return home to Baristan (a mythical country), only to find the king, princess and control of the land has been seized by E1 Kerim. To free the land, palace and people, Sindbad has to battle an invisible monster, a nine headed Scylla, a flock of giant birds and climb a mysterious ivory tower guarded by ferocious beasts and impassable morasses in order to destroy El Kerim's heart, which is locked up this high tower.

The film was a winner, being very successful throughout Europe and the USA, with audiences praising the movie's cast, family content and it's wondrous special effects.

He has had many grand ventures on his 47 foot long ship 'The Oceania' but now at 41 years of age, he has other goals insight. "I actually sold my boat the last time I went to Europe, but a lot of my friends have boats and we love heading down to the beach to go boat-hopping."

"After Captain Sindbad, it took us months to get home (USA)." said Guy. "I bought one of the new model Mercedes Benz in Germany, and we actually sailed from Naples on the 'Chistoforo Colombo' - a great boat. We did the traditional European trip ... and we put the car on the boat."

"Sailing into New York, we stayed there for a while - because that's my home. Then a few months later we decided to drive to California, but along the way we stopped in Bolivar Tennessee, to visit my wife's family. So we stopped there for a while."

'My agent didn't know where the hell I was and when I got back, I was told I had missed about two years of film projects. But one of the first things I was offered was a role on Bonanza. At that time there was nothing more visible than Bonanza, so when the opportunity came up, I took it."

In 1964, Pemell Roberts announced (or rather threatened) that he was leaving Bonanza. Guy was brought into the show to help soften the viewers' surprise at the loss of Adam Cartwright. "It was a strange deal. They thought a new character, that of Ben Cartwright's younger brother, (Will Cartwright) would intrigue the viewers."

"Even more, they believed the threat of a new actor on the show might make Pernell reconsider leaving It was an awkward situation for me. I felt like an unnecessary extra Cartwright, and I was happy that I only did the show for a few episodes."

"I didn't feel that my part really helped the show. If I had made a deal for two years or something, it might have turned out all right eventually, but basically I think the viewers and I both had the same feeling no one could quite replace Pernell."  Today Guy isn't interested merely in acting.

Guy is also a hobbies man. He loves photography, plays the guitar and regularly fences.
He is an expert on tropical fish, a chess champion and loves to cook. In fact, in the kitchen, Guy is a better-than-average chef, his culinary speciality is an Italian dish called Risotto ala Milanaise.

"For years, very so often I got an urge to Prepare it, and I simply pushed my wife out of the kitchen and told her; 'I'll do the cooking Janice, you read the papers."  However he now admits that Janice can prepare it better than anybody he knows.

With their son Steve (12 yrs) & daughter Toni (6 yrs) Guy resides in a beautifully decorated three-level Spanish hacienda in the Hollywood Hills.

The large fifteen room house, built in the movie town's golden era, has been modern- throughout, complete with a spacious library filled with books and with souvenirs picked up in his travels. A swimming pool adds the latter day California touch.

A very intelligent and a well-read man, a special interest for Guy is ancient history. "I've been doing a lot of writing, I think TV shows or movies with an historical background are fine entertainment, " he said, "and a nice change from some of the more stereotyped shows."

He is writing scripts, in collaboration with a friend, and has ideas for new TV series'. He is also interested in production. "TV is getting to the point where you can't just be an actor anymore "he says. "To get maximum of fulfilment you have to be involved both in-front of and behind the cameras."

Although he isn't writing scripts for his latter project, fans won't wait long to see Guy again in his new ready-to-go TV series. Produced by Irwin Allen in association with 20th Century Fox & Van Bernard Productions, it's destined to set video milestones. He is genuinely excited about this new TV series called Lost In Space, where he plays Dr. John Robinson. the head of a marooned family on a distant alien planet.

Guy is the ideal choice for this show, no other actor could give this role the right blend of authority and masculinity. Guy considers this part to be a high-point in his career. "Thanks to Irwin Allen (producer) I've finally got off the back of a horse," grinned Guy. "And I've finally joined the 20th Century. Actually, I should have said the 21st Century, perhaps."

Guy's explanation is not hard to understand as earlier this year, when he blasted off as Dr. John Robinson in this way-out space TV pilot (Lost In Space) the year was 1997. By the time this movie length adventure was over, the year is 2001 - the beginning of the 21st Century.

Guy regards it as "a kind of space version of Swiss Family Robinson. It takes place at the end of this century, where the world is suffering from a population explosion and we have to pave the way to a new frontier. But we're thrown off course and land on a unknown planet."

"I think it's going to be good because who can tell what will happen up on the planet? As it is, we're caught in typhoons, earthquakes and attacked by giants. We won't be stuck with any particular situation. That's an unexplored world and we're going to explore it. All I can say is ... look out!"

With CBS-TV giving the green light for series production, the future is again looking rosy-bright for Guy Williams. Filming began in July (1965) with Lost In Space to premiere in the fall season (September'65) throughout the United States.

Stay Tuned for Part Three. 

Guy Williams talks about Lost In Space after its first season,...