‘Grease’ is still the word for Lorenzo Lamas

It was a trip to the Academy Awards that set Lorenzo Lamas in motion to be part of one of the most successful movie musicals of all time: “Grease.” The film, which has taken in more than $188 million at the box office (second only to the live version of “Beauty and the Beast”), celebrates its 40th anniversary this year with a special DVD release.

Lamas escorted his mother, actress Arlene Dahl, to the Oscar ceremonies in February 1977. A press agent suggested when the pair showed up at the Governor’s Ball following the awards ceremony it would be smart for the young actor to meet Allan Carr. It was well known the producer was putting together the final pieces of his movie musical about a couple of star-crossed lovers in the ’50s.

“My mother and I walked over to Allan Carr’s table and he immediately got up because he recognized my mother,” Lamas says. “My mom didn’t hesitate. She stuck me right in front of the guy and goes ‘Allan, this is Lorenzo. He’s my son. So you had better hire him.’

“It was a typical mother scenario that was a little embarrassing. But, it was a chance opportunity that ended up changing my life.”

Despite the valiant effort by his mother, Lamas didn’t hear a word from anyone with the production for weeks. He went to work on other projects such as the TV series “Switch.” Then, out of the blue, Lamas got a call telling him Carr wanted to meet with him.

The bad news was all of the major roles had been cast. The good news was Carr liked Lamas and wanted to figure out a way to get him into the movie. Two weeks later, Steven Ford, who was originally cast as Tom Chisum, had left the production and Lamas was given the role.

Don’t be embarrassed if you don’t completely remember the work Lamas did in “Grease,” as he looked completely different from the way he normally looks or has appeared in TV shows like “Renegade.” Tom Chisum is a clean-cut jock with light hair in the musical who’s dating Patty Simcox (Susan Buckner) but also has eyes for Sandy (Olivia Newton-John). You can check out his performance as the 40th anniversary edition of “Grease” will be released in 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray combo packs on Tuesday.

Lamas had no dance training before working on “Grease,” but there was a month of rehearsals for the choreography before the actors even got near the sets. The movie musical still was a big challenge because of the large cast. That meant lots of starting and stopping just to get one movement correct. As for his own movements, Lamas is appreciative Patricia Birch, who choreographed and staged the dance numbers, made his dance work easier.

“She was so supportive of this kid who was not a dancer,” Lamas says. “She incorporated some of the things I was comfortable with. I played football in high school so she had me do things I did in drills. The walk with Dody Goodman in the high school gym where I run in pace with my knees really high is nothing more than a football drill.

“Pat was very smart and very understanding.”

His work helped the movie musical become the highest grossing film of 1978, beating “Superman,” “National Lampoon’s Animal House” and “Halloween” at the box office. Despite the fact Lamas wasn’t one of the leads in the film, just being part of “Grease” put Lamas on Hollywood’s radar. He was quickly cast in a series of films, including “Take Down” and “Tilt.” His big break came through television with roles on “California Fever,” “The Love Boat” and “Falcon Crest.”

In 1992, he took on the role of a police officer charged with a murder he didn’t commit who makes a living as a bounty hunter in the syndicated series “Renegade.” Lamas cautions any attempts to compare his work as the cool, motorcycle-riding Reno Raines and Tom because he says the “Renegade” role is the kind of person everyone wants to be, but he feels more like Tom.

Part of that comes from how important the role was to him both in his career and professional life.

“I was pinching myself every day because this was the biggest acting job I had ever done,” Lamas says. “This was bigger than life for me. And, I made so many friends. ‘Grease’ is the only work I have done that I will watch. I will be channel surfing and it will pop up and I will just sit there and watch it.”