Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Omaha Steve

(99,560 posts)
Sun May 28, 2023, 06:50 PM May 2023

George Maharis, TV Heartthrob of 'Route 66,' Is Dead at 94

Source: NY Times

He appeared in Off Broadway roles before starring on CBS as one of two young men who find adventure crossing the country in a Corvette convertible.

By Anita Gates and Alex Traub
May 28, 2023
Updated 5:22 p.m. ET

George Maharis, the ruggedly handsome New York-born stage actor who went on to become a 1960s television heartthrob as a star of the series “Route 66,” died on Wednesday at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif. He was 94.

His longtime friend and caretaker, Marc Bahan, confirmed his death.

Mr. Maharis’s greatest fame arose from the role of Buz Murdock, one of two young men who traveled the country in a Corvette convertible, finding a new adventure and drama (and usually a new young woman) each week on CBS’s “Route 66.”

In a 2012 reappraisal of the show, the New York Times critic and reporter Neil Genzlinger praised the literary quality of the scripts and commented, “This half-century-old black-and-white television series tackled issues that seem very 21st century.”



George Maharis, left, as Buz Murdock and Martin Milner as Tod Stiles in 1960 with their Corvette from the television show “Route 66.” Mr. Maharis received an Emmy Award nomination in 1962 for his work on the show.Credit...CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/28/arts/television/george-maharis-dead.html



I have his and Martin Milner's autograph. It is a different pose, but it is both of them sitting on the hood of the Corvette. I got Martin's in person at a fan convention.

16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
George Maharis, TV Heartthrob of 'Route 66,' Is Dead at 94 (Original Post) Omaha Steve May 2023 OP
I has such a huge crush on him back then. Also, Edd ("Kookie") Byrnes of 77 Sunset Strip. n/t Peregrine Took May 2023 #1
Both show were great. chicoescuela May 2023 #9
Me too. Gorgeous man. tavernier May 2023 #12
I really liked the show and Maharis and Milner... turbinetree May 2023 #2
I loved that show stage left May 2023 #3
I loved the theme music! Grins May 2023 #11
Can't get it out of my head, ever since this thread popped up yesterday. (nt) Paladin May 2023 #13
I loved that show stage left May 2023 #4
Between Jack Kerouac and Buzz & Todd, I couldn't wait to get out on the road. NBachers May 2023 #5
RIP area51 May 2023 #6
... littlemissmartypants May 2023 #7
Wow. Didn't realize he was still around BumRushDaShow May 2023 #8
Route 66 was unique in that the entire production was filmed on location. PSPS May 2023 #10
"Route 66" did an episode in Austin tx. Paladin May 2023 #14
Those shows were so popular. I never missed. nt leftyladyfrommo May 2023 #15
Didn't know he went to my high school. marybourg May 2023 #16

tavernier

(12,374 posts)
12. Me too. Gorgeous man.
Mon May 29, 2023, 10:19 AM
May 2023

I actually waited on Edd Byrnes in a bar where I worked while I was in college. He was very nice.

BumRushDaShow

(128,716 posts)
8. Wow. Didn't realize he was still around
Sun May 28, 2023, 09:56 PM
May 2023

and then with Martin Milner (also in Adam-12) who passed 8 years ago!

The show theme song was classic -



R.I.P.

PSPS

(13,584 posts)
10. Route 66 was unique in that the entire production was filmed on location.
Sun May 28, 2023, 11:57 PM
May 2023

"Hawaii 5-0" was the same (Jack Lord just remained in Hawaii after the series wrapped.)

Not to be confused with "Hawaiian Eye" which had only a few exteriors filmed in Hawaii and the rest was shot on sound stages in Los Angeles. But it had a catchy tune too!




Paladin

(28,246 posts)
14. "Route 66" did an episode in Austin tx.
Mon May 29, 2023, 10:33 AM
May 2023

Back when Austin was a sleepy university/government town. I can promise you it was on KTBC Channel 7---because that was the only commercial channel Austin was allowed to have, back then. If you wanted more than one channel, you had to put up an antenna to pull in stations from San Antonio.

I saw some re-runs of the show a few years ago---still way above average production values, and a lot darker in subject matter than I remembered from when I was young.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»George Maharis, TV Heartt...