With 12 seasons in as many years, Hawaii Five-O was more than just a police procedural. It was a place for actors to learn and grow, to come into their own and come to understand their own talent. The crime series served as a home for several prolific actors, including series star Jack Lord.

Lord heralded the series as both an actor and an executive producer after the death of series creator Leonard Freeman. Lord outlived many of the other popular actors of the series, including co-star James MacArthur, who left the series in 1979. During an interview with The Washington Post, Lord insinuated that MacArthur left the show out of fear.

“I think that he thought we would be cancelled,” Lord said of MacArthur. “He announced to the Inquirer magazine that he was leaving the show, and then he telephoned Rona Barrett with the same news. It was a terrible way to end an 11-year relationship, but then Jimmy had been traveling in South America and had no way of knowing what was happening. He announced that he wanted out, wanted to try his wings in other areas. Through our show, he’s become a millionaire, and I thought he’d do better by us.”

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Of course, by the twelfth season, even Lord had his fill of Hawaii Five-O. “I know I have said it before, but this time is for keeps,” said the actor. “This is my last television season. I have too many other things to do with my life.”