Devane bore a striking resemblance to the president in the television docudrama, which chronicled the Kennedy administration's handling of the Cuban missile crisis. It was loosely based on Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy's book ``Thirteen Days.'' The first TV movie about the Kennedys after JFK's assassination was watched by more than 25.4 million viewers when it first aired.

Playing Kennedy during the Cuban missile crisis, Greenwood said he wanted to reflect what might have been JFK's state of mind ``and the moment of clarity he had that (Soviet leader Nikita) Khrushchev was as human and terrified of the potential consequences as was Kennedy.'' Paraphrasing William Butler Yeats' poem ``The Second Coming,'' the actor said, ``yet things did not fall apart/ the centre held / anarchy and chaos / undone in an hour of reflection / that we are one / and each other's keeper.''

When the four-time Emmy-winning ``The Kennedys'' made its world premiere on REELZ, it brought in record viewership for the cable network, reaching 17.5 million viewers in its first month. Katie Holmes played Jackie Kennedy.

Stimely, who has played Kennedy more than anyone, recalled meeting JFK's niece and sister-in-law, Rory and Ethel Kennedy at the 2012 Sundance HBO party for their documentary ``Ethel.'' He said, ``Ethel thanked me for doing a great job portraying Jack. I was nervous at first _ playing the 'most important man in the world' has its responsibilities. But hearing that made it all worthwhile.''

While researching JFK for the role, Lowe, a father of two, said he was moved by a recording of Kennedy giving dictation when he's interrupted by John, Jr. ``Their conversation together was priceless,'' said Lowe.