Richard Boone Turned Down the Role That Made Jack Lord Famous on ‘Hawaii Five-O’

Lauren Novak September 16, 8:00 am

KONA COAST, Richard Boone, 1968 — Everett Collection

It is almost impossible to picture the original Hawaii Five-O without Jack Lord as Steve McGarrett. He played the tough head of Hawaii’s fictional police unit for all 12 seasons, from 1968 to 1980. But the role could have gone to another famous TV star.

Richard Boone, best remembered as Paladin on Have Gun – Will Travel, was offered the role of McGarrett before Lord. Boone turned it down, but there’s another interesting part to the story. He had already helped get Hawaii Five-O to film in Hawaii in the first place.

Richard Boone was offered the role of Steve McGarrett

Everett Collection

By the mid-1960s, Boone had left Hollywood behind for Hawaii. He lived with his family in Honolulu from 1964 to 1971 and became interested in bringing more film and television work to the islands.

When producer Leonard Freeman was developing Hawaii Five-O, Boone helped convince him to film the series in Honolulu rather than base the production in San Pedro, California. Freeman apparently liked the idea and Boone enough to offer him the starring role of Steve McGarrett. Boone declined, and exactly why he said no isn’t as clear. Lord eventually landed the part and stayed for the show’s entire 12-season run.

The two actors already had a connection, too. More than a decade earlier, Lord had guest-starred with Boone in the very first episode of Have Gun – Will Travel. “Three Bells to Perdido” aired on Sept. 14, 1957, with Lord playing Dave Enderby opposite Boone as the Paladin.

Richard Boone was already a huge TV star

Boone served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before studying acting in New York. His early career included stage work and live television before he landed his first major TV role. From 1954 to 1956, Boone starred as Dr. Konrad Styner on the medical drama Medic. Then came the character that would follow him for the rest of his life.

HAVE GUN - WILL TRAVEL, Richard Boone, (Season 1), 1957-63

Everett Collection

Boone began playing Paladin on Have Gun – Will Travel in 1957. Unlike many of the Western heroes on television at the time, Paladin was educated and sophisticated. The show became a major hit for CBS and ran for six seasons. During its first four seasons, it consistently ranked near the top of the Nielsen ratings. Boone also directed several episodes himself.

After it ended, he tried something very different with The Richard Boone Show. The anthology series used the same group of actors in different roles each week, almost like a television repertory theater. It earned critical praise but lasted only one season. Boone later returned to series television with the Western mystery Hec Ramsey in the 1970s. His film credits include Hombre, Big Jake, The Shootist, and The Big Sleep.

Richard Boone died at 63

THE RICHARD BOONE SHOW, Richard Boone, 1963-1964.

Gene Trindl/TV Guide/courtesy Everett Collection

Boone eventually settled in St. Augustine, Florida, where he returned to one of his earliest interests, painting. He kept working in his later years and served as Florida’s cultural ambassador when his health declined.

Boone died at his home in St. Augustine on Jan. 10, 1981, after battling throat cancer. He was only 63 years old. He was survived by his wife, Claire, whom he had married in 1951, and their son, Peter.