Antonio Lamas, a charismatic Argentine-born actor, made a name for himself in Hollywood as a romantic lead in lavish MGM extravaganzas, living up to his reputation as a Latin Lover in both film and real life.
Born in Argentina, Lamas initially studied drama at school and later enrolled in a law course at college, but his passion for athletic pursuits ultimately led him to abandon his studies and pursue a career in sports.
As a teenager, Lamas began performing on stage and radio, and by the age of 24, he made his film debut.
His sporting prowess and charisma soon caught the attention of Hollywood, and in 1951, MGM signed him to star alongside Lana Turner and Esther Williams in high-profile productions like The Merry Widow and Dangerous When Wet.
Lamas also spent time on loan to Paramount, appearing in several B-movies, including the 3-D Technicolor film Sangaree and the adventure film Jivaro.
In 1957, he made his Broadway debut in the play Happy Hunting, earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor, although he was ultimately pitted against Rex Harrison's iconic performance in My Fair Lady.
In real life, Lamas lived up to his reputation as a ladies' man, conducting high-profile affairs with many of his female co-stars, including Lana Turner and Arlene Dahl, whom he married.
Lamas's personal life was marked by a string of marriages, including two ex-wives from Argentina and three marriages to actresses, including Esther Williams, whom he married and directed alongside in the Spanish film Magic Fountain.
In the 1960s, Lamas transitioned to television, alternating between acting and directing, with notable roles in shows like Run for Your Life and recurring appearances as playboy Ramon de Vega, as well as directing episodes of series like Mannix, Alias Smith and Jones, The Rookies, and House Calls.
