Actor George Maharis who starred as Buz Murdock on the 1960s series, Route 66, has died, according to Deadline. The actor and singer appeared in films as well as on stage throughout his career. He was 94 years old.
The Astoria, New York native was born September 1, 1928, as one of seven children, according to The Hollywood Reporter. After graduating high school, he joined the Marines before entering a career in show business. With aspirations of wanting to be a singer, he transitioned to acting and landed a few off-Broadway roles before landing his first TV gig on 1958’s The Mugger. That was followed by roles in Exodus, Search for Tomorrow, and the Stirling Silliphant (Catch the Heat, 5 Against the House)-created Naked City.
It was this role as Murdock on City that changed his career, as he reprised the role for the proper spinoff, Route 66 in 1960. Here, he and Martin Milner’s (Adam-12, Life with Father) Tod Stiles cruised the great crossroads of America hitting different adventures each week. The role garnered Maharis an Emmy nomination and seemed to be reaching a popular peak when during the production of season three, Maharis contracted hepatitis in 1962.
Maharis was hospitalized for a month with Glenn Corbett (Chisum, Homicidal) filling in as a new role along with Milner. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Maharis attempted to return to the series filming reduced hours, but the studio refused to adjust. He eventually left the series which was ultimately canceled after four seasons in 1064.
After Route 66 and a whole two years to fully recover, Maharis transitioned to film with Quick Before It Melts, Sylvia, A Covenant With Death, and The Happening. By the 1970s, he returned to TV with roles on Fantasy Island, The Bionic Woman, mini-series Rich Man, Poor Man, and Night Gallery.
He dabbled in both film and TV into the 1980s with his final on-screen performance in 1993’s The Evil Within.
Maharis’s death was announced by his longtime friend and caretaker, Marc Bahan, who shared this statement via Deadline: “George is well known for his stardom in Route 66, stage productions, singing, artist, and above all a great guy would do anything for anyone. My dear friend, you’ll be terribly missed.”
Maharis is survived by a brother and a sister.