Gordon Scott

Gordon Scott, an American actor, is best remembered for his iconic role as Tarzan, which he portrayed in five films and one compilation of three pilot episodes from 1955 to 1960. As the eleventh actor to take on the legendary character, Scott's journey began with "Tarzan’s Hidden Jungle." His discovery was serendipitous, happening poolside where he was offered a seven-year contract, a loincloth, and a new stage name, as his original surname "Werschkul" was deemed too similar to that of Johnny Weissmuller, the earlier Tarzan actor.

Standing at an impressive 6-foot-3 inches, Scott quickly replaced Lex Barker in the role, thanks to producer Sol Lesser. His early performances were reminiscent of Weissmuller’s portrayal, showcasing a more primitive and speech-challenged version of Tarzan. However, a shift in production style allowed Scott to evolve his character into a more articulate and educated figure, aligning with the vision of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ original novels. This versatility made him the only actor to embody both interpretations of the character.

To avoid being typecast as Tarzan, Scott relocated to Italy, where he became a notable star in the péplum genre, featuring in mythological epics alongside fellow actor Steve Reeves. He also took on the role of Hercules in several international productions during the mid-1960s. As the popularity of péplum films waned, Scott transitioned to spaghetti westerns and Eurospy cinema, with his last film appearance in "The Tramplers," filmed in 1966 and released in the U.S. in 1968.