Updated: August 16, 2023

Guy Williams was born Armand Joseph Catalano in New York City, the son of Italian immigrants Attilio and Clare Catalano. He dropped out of the Peekskill Military Academy in pursuit of an acting career, supporting himself with jobs as a welder, accountant, aircraft-parts inspector, and Wanamaker's salesman.

His first success was as a model, appearing in print and on billboards. He then adopted the name Guy Williams. In 1946, he signed with MGM Studios making his film debut in 1947's ‘The Beginning or the End.' Other films included ‘The Mississippi Gambler' in 1953; ‘Sincerely Yours' in 1955; and ‘I Was a Teenage Werewolf' in 1957. Chosen by Walt Disney to play Zorro on a new television featuring the character, Williams studied fencing and guitar to strengthen his portrayal. The popular series ran from 1957 to 1959.

In 1964 he joined the cast of ‘Bonanza' as Will Cartwright, remaining for only half a dozen episodes before being written out. In 1965, he won the role of Professor John Robinson in a new television series, ‘Lost in Space' which ran from 1965 to 1968. With the end of the series, he chose to retire, relocating to Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1973. By 1977 he formed the Circo Real Madrid in partnership with fencing champion Fernando Lupiz, performing riding and fencing feats and reprising the immensely popular role of Zorro. In 1989 Williams worried friends with a disappearance of several days. Police dispatched to his apartment discovered the actor's body on May 6th, but he had been dead for several days. The cause of death was later determined to have been a brain aneurysm. A funeral service was held by his friends in Buenos Aires followed by a memorial service in West Hollywood. In accordance to his wishes, his ashes were scattered at sea near Malibu, California. His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is located at 7080 Hollywood Boulevard.