BY JOSE MARTINEZ DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Friday, May 19, 2000
They're carving out a space on the Grand Concourse for a sword-waving, masked man who looked good in black.
The late Guy Williams, who starred in the 1950s television series "Zorro," will be among famous former sons and daughters of the borough inducted Sunday into the Bronx Walk of Fame.
The actor, who died in 1989 at age 65, is being feted thanks to his son and a legion of fans, who want a star for Williams - who lived in Bedford Park - on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Williams, born Armand Catalano, will be the first posthumous inductee to the Walk of Fame. More than 20 of his fans from around the globe will be on hand for the ceremony.
It's all because of aficionados like 53-year-old Wendell Vega, who proudly displays a collection of more than 700 Zorro toys, swords and photos in the living room of his Parkchester apartment.
"Zorro was a Hispanic that I could relate to," said Vega. "It was a positive image. The episodes were always good over evil, and right there, Zorro taught me lessons."
Almost four years ago, Vega and other members of a Guy Williams Internet fan club began petitioning for home-borough recognition for their hero.
Their payoff comes Sunday, when they'll be joined by the actor's 47-year-old son, Guy Williams Jr., for the induction ceremony and Bronx Week Parade.
"I've met people who just smile and tell me, 'Your dad was the best,' " said Williams, who maintains a Web site in honor of his father. "Some people tell me they got into fencing because of Zorro, or that Zorro was like a father to them. That's really quite moving."
Vega said he met Guy Williams Jr. at a memorabilia show two years ago, and is putting him up in his apartment this week.
"It's like Zorro is in my apartment," Vega said of the younger Williams, who wears a wispy Zorro-like mustache.
The Thursday nights of Vega's childhood were set aside for Zorro. He would join his dad to watch the masked horseman battle the cruel Capitan Monastario and the bumbling Sergeant Garcia.
In his mind, he fancied himself a protector of the poor, like Zorro. He said sometimes, mimicking his TV hero, he would slash a "Z" into whatever he could get his hands on.
"It was good graffiti," he said with a laugh.
Vega kept only two Zorro toys from his childhood. But seven years ago, he came across a wall calendar with the masked good guy on the cover. He was hooked again.
His collection sprouted and now fills two display cases and a closet. A movie poster from "The Sign of Zorro" hangs in his living room, while photo albums containing prints of the masked horseman line his bookshelves.
"My wife understands," said Vega, who works as an emergency medical technician. "She knows this is my hero."
Williams can remember when he was a child, he ran from the adoring crowds that followed his father, who later also starred as Prof. Robinson on "Lost In Space."
Now he embraces fans, occasionally setting up displays at memorabilia shows with photos of his father and items such as the whip and sword used in "Zorro."
"I'm absolutely amazed by the response," said Williams. "There's just so much love for my father."
SIDEBAR: THEME FROM 'ZORRO' TV SERIES
Out of the night, when the full moon is bright,
Comes the horseman known as Zorro.
This bold renegade carves a Z with his blade,
A Z that stands for Zorro.
Zorro the fox, so cunning and free.
Zorro who makes the sign of the Z.
