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Guy Williams: The Man Behind the Mask
Order the massive biography of Zorro and Lost in Space star, Guy Williams. Author Antoinette Girgenti Lane's honest, loving account of Disney's dashing TV star contains the first ever detailed information on the man behind the legend, including many RARE photographs! Over 500 pages! Guy Williams - TV's "Zorro" was apparently "a walking paradox, masculine yet sensitive, firm yet gentle, conservative yet non-conformist, macho yet intellectual, simple yet complicated" according to Antoinette Girgenti Lane who has written the definitive biography of GUY WILLIAMS, THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK. Lane finds a man who was lucky but had major disappointments in life, but those gave him character and made him the person he was. For true insights into Guy's life and career, Lane worked for over 5 years with Williams' widow, and dozens of co-workers such as Dennis Weaver, Wright King, Britt Lomond, Don Diamond, Buddy Van Horn, Suzanne Lloyd and dozens more. Extremely detailed and well written with a definitive listing of Guy's stage, film and TV work. Over 500 pages with many personal rare photos. - Western Clippings
Paperback
First published April 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 24, 2017
As a child, I LOVED Disney's Zorro (and still do), and I LOVED Lost in Space. I'm not sure I really thought so much about the actors themselves, though. My sister called my attention to this book, and since I had to do some traveling, I downloaded the audio version of this book and went to town.
Sometimes the fantasies of loving certain characters should just stay that way. Zorro and Mr. Robinson were strong, brave characters. The lead their followers with strength, bravery and finesse. Guy Williams, on the other hand, was pretty much into doing whatever made him happy--to heck with others around him. The author, in the beginning notes, admitted to being a total Guy Williams groupie. I wonder if she still was after she dug deeper into his choices in life. He left his wife for a period of time for a mistress, yet he still wanted the benefits of having that wife and family. Later on, he divorced his wife, moved to Argentina, and there had a long-term relationship. However, he didn't seem to be any more thoughtful of her than his wife. He wanted what he wanted when he wanted it.
I still love Zorro (and not just the Disney version. If you are a reader, might I suggest "Zorro" by Isabel Allende), and I still like Lost in Space. This book won't change that. But it has more than likely changed my feelings towards the man in the costumes.
Sometimes the fantasies of loving certain characters should just stay that way. Zorro and Mr. Robinson were strong, brave characters. The lead their followers with strength, bravery and finesse. Guy Williams, on the other hand, was pretty much into doing whatever made him happy--to heck with others around him. The author, in the beginning notes, admitted to being a total Guy Williams groupie. I wonder if she still was after she dug deeper into his choices in life. He left his wife for a period of time for a mistress, yet he still wanted the benefits of having that wife and family. Later on, he divorced his wife, moved to Argentina, and there had a long-term relationship. However, he didn't seem to be any more thoughtful of her than his wife. He wanted what he wanted when he wanted it.
I still love Zorro (and not just the Disney version. If you are a reader, might I suggest "Zorro" by Isabel Allende), and I still like Lost in Space. This book won't change that. But it has more than likely changed my feelings towards the man in the costumes.
September 16, 2017
For a short time, Guy Williams (Zorro) was the hottest actor in America. Then, due to a dispute between Walt Disney and ABC, his show was cancelled and he was essentially paid a salary for two years to do absolutely nothing. His career never got back on track. He was cast as the star in “Lost In Space”, but was quickly relegated to being a supporting character to a kid and a robot.
The thing is, Williams didn’t seem to really care all that much. As long as he had the money to support his lifestyle (wine, music, and sailing), he was content to just drift through life.
The man who thrilled millions of kids as Zorro was essentially a pretty boring character. Ms. Lane does a good job of documenting his life, which ended up with Williams living (and dying) in Argentina, where he was still idolized as “El Zorro”.
The thing is, Williams didn’t seem to really care all that much. As long as he had the money to support his lifestyle (wine, music, and sailing), he was content to just drift through life.
The man who thrilled millions of kids as Zorro was essentially a pretty boring character. Ms. Lane does a good job of documenting his life, which ended up with Williams living (and dying) in Argentina, where he was still idolized as “El Zorro”.
June 8, 2016
I was huge fan this actor when I was kid. I'm so glad someone shared his story. The man behind the mask is very different than I what I thought.
November 27, 2022
A beautifully written biography with a TON of information. I especially loved all the photos peppered throughout. Loved reading about one of my childhood crushes and heroes and learning that Guy Williams was just as daring and handsome and good-humored in real life as he was as Diego de la Vega. It was SO hard to get toward the end of the book knowing how it ended. I may or may not be writing this review holding back tears.
I'm now making it a mission to watch as much of Guy's body of work as I can find out there.
I'm now making it a mission to watch as much of Guy's body of work as I can find out there.
June 10, 2015
Fascinating insight into the actor who we grew up watching in Zorro and Lost in Space.
Enjoyed it .
Enjoyed it .
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews