Sam J. Jones

Jones served in the U.S. Marine Corps before working as a model, a path that led to acting through television guest roles and eventually his breakout casting in the title role of a major studio science fiction film.

He played the title role in Flash Gordon with square-jawed, sincere pulp-hero conviction, becoming permanently identified with the part despite a contract dispute that saw some of his lines redubbed. A former Marine and model before turning to acting, he was a relative newcomer when cast.

He has continued to appear at fan conventions closely associated with the role for decades since, remaining an enduring presence in the film's ongoing cult following.