People: Mar. 31, 1986

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In his previous roles, Lido (Lee) Iacocca has mostly been the tough-talking star of his own Chrysler commercials. But last week on NBC's designer cop show, Miami Vice, the gung-ho CEO was back in the thespian driver's seat playing a different character. Or was he? Invited to drop by whenever he was in town by Michael Talbott, who plays Detective Stanley Switek, Iacocca did just that while in Miami on a promotional tour. The episode, scheduled to air in May, casts Iacocca in a cameo role as Parks Commissioner Lido, a "silver- haired, self-possessed, no-baloney administrative type," says NBC. In a none too subtle reference to Iacocca's Ellis Island scuffle with Interior Secretary Donald Hodel, Lido, asked about a shack in a stakeout scene, replies, "It's just a leftover from some developers who wanted to put up a hotel. We don't go for commercializing public land." Lido is ready to shoot off more than his mouth. "If it's any help," he tells Crockett and Tubbs, "I know how to handle a gun." And hold a grudge.