Jack Scalia, a renowned TV heartthrob of the 1980s, was born Giacomo Tomaso Tedesco on November 10, 1950, in Brooklyn, New York, to a family of Italian descent. His name was changed to his stepfather's surname after his mother remarried.
Growing up in Brentwood, New York, Jack was an exceptional athlete, earning All-American honors in high school and participating in multiple triathlons and marathons throughout college. He even had a promising career as a pitcher for the Montreal Expos, but an injury cut it short.
Scalia transitioned to modeling, working with Armani and the Ford Modeling Agency, and became the iconic "Jordache Jeans Man." In 1980, he made his acting debut in the mini-movie The Star Maker, starring Rock Hudson.
His breakthrough role came in 1982 as a tough, unshaven detective in The Devlin Connection, co-starring Rock Hudson. Although the series was short-lived, Scalia received widespread attention and went on to appear in popular TV movies and series, including I'll Take Manhattan, Ring of Scorpio, Lady Boss, and Casualties of Love: The Long Island Lolita Story.
Throughout his career, Jack Scalia remained a durable "ladies' man" and "man's man," starring in nine TV shows and earning a daytime Emmy nomination for his role on All My Children. He also appeared in numerous films, including romantic comedies, thrillers, and dramas, and received producing credits for several on-camera films.
In addition to his acting career, Jack made his stage debut in 1994 with the Pulitzer Prize-nominated play "Red River Rats" in Los Angeles. He has been married twice, to model Joan Rankin and former "Miss Universe" Karen Baldwin, with whom he has two daughters, Olivia and Jacqueline.
