Route 66 and Fantasy Island actor George Maharis dies at 94 (Picture: Getty)
Actor George Maharis has died aged 94.
His friend and caretaker Marc Bahan confirmed that the star died on Wednesday May 24 in a Facebook post on Saturday [May 27].
Posting a tribute, Bahan wrote: ‘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 was born September 1 1928 to Greek immigrant parents in New York. After a stint in the marines, he studied at the Actors Studio in the late 40s, working off-Broadway.
His TV debut came in 1953 and his film debut was 1958’s The Mugger.
However, Maharis’ big break came in the 1960s, starring as Buz Murdock on Route 66, a spinoff of the hit police procedural Naked City.
Maharis’ breakout role was in Route 66 (Picture: Getty)
Maharis (R) became one of the first celebrities to pose nude for Playgirl magazine in 1973 (Picture: Getty)
Maharis was nominated for an Emmy in 1962 for his charismatic performance as Buz, but by 1963, citing exhaustion, had left the series, and the show reportedly never regained the initial spark.
Speaking about his departure in 1963, Maharis said: ‘I have to protect my future. If I keep going at the present pace, I’m a fool. Even if you have $4,000,000 in the bank, you can’t buy another liver.’
Among his many other TV appearances were the 13-part programme The Most Deadly Game (1970-1971), the miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man (1976), and the TV movie Look What’s Happened to Rosemary’s Baby(1976).
His final film was the 1993 Drew Barrymore thriller Doppelganger.
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Maharis allegedly struggled with his sexuality in Hollywood.
He was arrested twice for having sex with men in restrooms – once in 1967 and again in 1974.
The late star later became one of the first celebrities to pose nude for Playgirl magazine in their July 1973 issue.
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The late star’s breakout role was in Route 66.
