I wonder if the casting director saw this picture of Jon Bernthal (from 2014) - or one like it - in which he looks every bit as hot as Richard Gere at his best, and not unlike him.
GLENN CORBETT (1933-1993), PERHAPS BEST REMEMBERED FOR REPLACING GEORGE MAHARIS ON ROUTE 66 IN THE EARLY 1960s. AS A YOUNGER MAN, HE MODELED FOR BOB MIZER.