For years, James Garner felt like one of the most effortless stars in Hollywood. He was charming, funny, and completely natural on screen. But behind that easygoing image was a career—and a life—that was far more complicated than it looked.

Burt Lancaster caused a stir in Hollywood when he famously rolled around in the surf with Deborah Kerr in From Here to Eternity. His physique was impeccably sculpted, reminiscent of contemporary underwear models, a rarity for men in the conservative atmosphere of the 1950s. Speculations ran rampant: Why was Lancaster attending wild parties? Was he possibly a communist? The man himself said very little about his private affairs; instead, he let his actions speak for themselves.

Jon-Erik Hexum was built to be a star. Tall, athletic, and effortlessly charismatic, he stood out immediately. As the 1980s began, he was already being called the “next big thing.” Hollywood was moving fast to make it happen. But just as quickly as it started…it was over.