Actor Efrem Zimbalist Jr. 1918-2014 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 05-02-2014, 10:44 PM

He was the embodiment of a federal agent on “The F.B.I.” after playing a private eye on another popular ABC series, “77 Sunset Strip.”

Link

Efrem Zimbalist Jr., the suave leading man who starred on ABC for 15 straight seasons on 77 Sunset Strip and then The F.B.I., died Friday at his ranch in Solvang, Calif., his children announced. He was 95.

Zimbalist was a household name from 1958 through 1974 for his performances as dapper private eye Stuart Bailey on Friday night staple 77 Sunset Strip, which lasted six seasons, and as Inspector Lewis Erskine on The F.B.I., which ran for nine.

A close friend of then-FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover, Zimbalist ended many Quinn Martin productions on Sunday nights with a description of a fugitive wanted by the feds, exhorting viewers to be on the lookout. One of the more prominent names from this segment was James Earl Ray, assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“Efrem’s character embodied fidelity, bravery, and integrity. So much so that he inspired a generation of future FBI employees, many of whom pursued a career in the bureau because they watched The FBI series as they grew up,” FBI director Robert Mueller said when he presented an honorary Special Agent badge to Zimbalist in 2009. “In those days, he may well have been the bureau’s best and most effective recruiter!”

The son of renowned artists -- soprano Alma Gluck and violinist Efrem Zimbalist -- he was the father of actress Stephanie Zimbalist, who survives him. As the sly, silver-haired mentor of Pierce Brosnan’s title character on Remington Steele, he appeared on the 1982-87 NBC series with his daughter on a handful of episodes.

In a career that spanned roughly 60 years, Zimbalist provided the voices of Alfred the Butler on several Batman animated series, the villain Doc Octopus on a Spider-Man cartoon and King Arthur on The Legend of Prince Valiant. He had recurring roles on Maverick in the 1950s, Hotel in the ’80s and Zorro in the ’90s.

In Wait Until Dark (1967), he played the photographer husband of the blind Audrey Hepburn.

Zimbalist was born on Nov. 30, 1918, in New York and raised in a home of artistry and privilege. His father was a friend of poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, and young Zimbalist received violin lessons from the father of Jascha Heifetz.

Later, he studied at the Yale Drama School and the Neighborhood Playhouse, then served in World War II and earned a Purple Heart.

Zimbalist began his career as an NBC page but soon found work in the theater and was cast in the 1945 Broadway production of The Rugged Path, which starred Spencer Tracy and was directed by Garson Kanin. Zimbalist’s rich baritone and striking manner won notice, and he landed plum roles in Henry VIII in 1946 and Hedda Gabler in 1948.

Restless waiting for roles, Zimbalist ventured into producing. He brought opera to Broadway, mounting such productions as The Medium, The Telephone and The Consul, which won a Pulitzer Prize.

Zimbalist made an impressive movie debut in 1949, co-starring in Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s House of Strangers, which starred Edward G. Robinson as a tight-fisted family patriarch. But he experienced personal tragedy the following year: his wife Emily died of cancer, and he gave up acting.

During the subsequent five years, Zimbalist worked at the Curtis School of Music for his father. In 1954, he took a lead in a daytime soap opera, and, ready to act in the movies again, signed a seven-year contract with Warner Bros. (Later, he would be invited to pay tennis at studio head Jack Warner’s Beverly Hills home every weekend.)

Zimbalist was cast in Band of Angels (1957) with Clark Gable; in the Barrymore family drama Too Much, Too Soon (1958) with Errol Flynn and Dorothy Malone; and in Mervyn LeRoy’s Home Before Dark (1958) with Jean Simmons; he called the latter his favorite film experience.

While he was winning popularity and acclaim for these roles, Zimbalist also was starting out in the Warner Bros. TV series 77 Sunset Strip, which was created by Roy Huggins (The Fugitive). It centered on a swinging Sixties Hollywood detective agency run by Bailey and his partner Jeff Spencer (Roger Smith).

The stylish agency, located at the fictional address 77 Sunset Strip, was, naturally, right next door to a nightclub, which lent to appearances by curvaceous guest stars. Zimbalist parked his sports car in the club’s driveway that was manned by the cool attendant Kookie (Edd Byrnes), a dashing ladies’ man who caused women to clamor, “Kookie, Kookie, lend me your comb,” which became a song and a national catchphrase.

Zimbalist took film roles during the series’ hiatus. In 1961, he starred with Angie Dickinson in the courtroom thriller A Fever in the Blood and in the then-notorious The Chapman Report (1962) where he starred as the head of a medical research clinic that studied the sex habits of suburban women.

Zimbalist appeared on all 241 episodes of The F.B.I., whose storylines came from actual cases. The bureau had casting control over the show. After the show ended, he participated in charity events that helped raise money for families of agents killed in the line of duty and lent his voice to narrate FBI recruiting videos.

Like other stars known for a dignified persona, Zimbalist was good-humored about spoofing his career. He followed in the footsteps of such colleagues as Leslie Nielsen and Robert Stack, parodying his image in Jim Abrahams’ Rambo spoof Hot Shots! (1991), which starred Charlie Sheen.

His autobiography, My Dinner of Herbs, was published in 2004 and recounted his varied career, from the glitzy Sunset Strip to the gray, power corridors of Washington.

In addition to his daughter Stephanie, survivors include his son Efrem Zimbalist III.

“A devout Christian, he actively enjoyed his life to the last day, showering love on his extended family, playing golf and visiting with close friends,” his children said in a statement. “We will miss him

Regulus · 05-03-2014, 08:07 PM

Efrem Zimbalist Jr. Who starred in shows such as 77 Sunser Strip & The F.B.I. has passed away at his residence. He was 95.

D-Dey · 05-03-2014, 10:26 PM

Another actor I thought was dead a long time ago.

robby76 · 05-03-2014, 10:58 PM

94 is a grand old age... wow! As a huge "Remington Steele" fan I know Efrem for his role as Daniel Chalmers. My condolences to Stephanie and the rest of the family.

king of comedy · 05-04-2014, 06:09 AM

I remembered him as the voice of Alfred on BTAS. He was great. R.I.P. Efram.

Penny Lane · 05-04-2014, 07:23 AM

RIP

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/...ad-95-23574959

80sTrivia · 05-04-2014, 08:42 PM

He had a long and incredibly successful career. He will indeed be missed...

LeeBlue · 05-05-2014, 09:41 AM

He was a favorite actor and will be missed.

My sympathy goes out to his family and friends.

Hot Lips · 05-05-2014, 11:13 AM

R.I.P.: I sure wish I make it to 95 years old.

Zoneboy · 05-05-2014, 11:35 AM

Suggest merging this thread with this one:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=324310

MickeyMac · 05-05-2014, 01:14 PM

sleep well my friend

Janice · 05-05-2014, 03:18 PM

He seemed like a cool guy. He lived a nice long life. Rest in peace.

05-02-2014, 10:44 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,338	Actor Efrem Zimbalist Jr. 1918-2014 He was the embodiment of a federal agent on “The F.B.I.” after playing a private eye on another popular ABC series, “77 Sunset Strip.” Link Efrem Zimbalist Jr., the suave leading man who starred on ABC for 15 straight seasons on 77 Sunset Strip and then The F.B.I., died Friday at his ranch in Solvang, Calif., his children announced. He was 95. Zimbalist was a household name from 1958 through 1974 for his performances as dapper private eye Stuart Bailey on Friday night staple 77 Sunset Strip, which lasted six seasons, and as Inspector Lewis Erskine on The F.B.I., which ran for nine. A close friend of then-FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover, Zimbalist ended many Quinn Martin productions on Sunday nights with a description of a fugitive wanted by the feds, exhorting viewers to be on the lookout. One of the more prominent names from this segment was James Earl Ray, assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Efrem’s character embodied fidelity, bravery, and integrity. So much so that he inspired a generation of future FBI employees, many of whom pursued a career in the bureau because they watched The FBI series as they grew up,” FBI director Robert Mueller said when he presented an honorary Special Agent badge to Zimbalist in 2009. “In those days, he may well have been the bureau’s best and most effective recruiter!” The son of renowned artists -- soprano Alma Gluck and violinist Efrem Zimbalist -- he was the father of actress Stephanie Zimbalist, who survives him. As the sly, silver-haired mentor of Pierce Brosnan’s title character on Remington Steele, he appeared on the 1982-87 NBC series with his daughter on a handful of episodes. In a career that spanned roughly 60 years, Zimbalist provided the voices of Alfred the Butler on several Batman animated series, the villain Doc Octopus on a Spider-Man cartoon and King Arthur on The Legend of Prince Valiant. He had recurring roles on Maverick in the 1950s, Hotel in the ’80s and Zorro in the ’90s. In Wait Until Dark (1967), he played the photographer husband of the blind Audrey Hepburn. Zimbalist was born on Nov. 30, 1918, in New York and raised in a home of artistry and privilege. His father was a friend of poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, and young Zimbalist received violin lessons from the father of Jascha Heifetz. Later, he studied at the Yale Drama School and the Neighborhood Playhouse, then served in World War II and earned a Purple Heart. Zimbalist began his career as an NBC page but soon found work in the theater and was cast in the 1945 Broadway production of The Rugged Path, which starred Spencer Tracy and was directed by Garson Kanin. Zimbalist’s rich baritone and striking manner won notice, and he landed plum roles in Henry VIII in 1946 and Hedda Gabler in 1948. Restless waiting for roles, Zimbalist ventured into producing. He brought opera to Broadway, mounting such productions as The Medium, The Telephone and The Consul, which won a Pulitzer Prize. Zimbalist made an impressive movie debut in 1949, co-starring in Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s House of Strangers, which starred Edward G. Robinson as a tight-fisted family patriarch. But he experienced personal tragedy the following year: his wife Emily died of cancer, and he gave up acting. During the subsequent five years, Zimbalist worked at the Curtis School of Music for his father. In 1954, he took a lead in a daytime soap opera, and, ready to act in the movies again, signed a seven-year contract with Warner Bros. (Later, he would be invited to pay tennis at studio head Jack Warner’s Beverly Hills home every weekend.) Zimbalist was cast in Band of Angels (1957) with Clark Gable; in the Barrymore family drama Too Much, Too Soon (1958) with Errol Flynn and Dorothy Malone; and in Mervyn LeRoy’s Home Before Dark (1958) with Jean Simmons; he called the latter his favorite film experience. While he was winning popularity and acclaim for these roles, Zimbalist also was starting out in the Warner Bros. TV series 77 Sunset Strip, which was created by Roy Huggins (The Fugitive). It centered on a swinging Sixties Hollywood detective agency run by Bailey and his partner Jeff Spencer (Roger Smith). The stylish agency, located at the fictional address 77 Sunset Strip, was, naturally, right next door to a nightclub, which lent to appearances by curvaceous guest stars. Zimbalist parked his sports car in the club’s driveway that was manned by the cool attendant Kookie (Edd Byrnes), a dashing ladies’ man who caused women to clamor, “Kookie, Kookie, lend me your comb,” which became a song and a national catchphrase. Zimbalist took film roles during the series’ hiatus. In 1961, he starred with Angie Dickinson in the courtroom thriller A Fever in the Blood and in the then-notorious The Chapman Report (1962) where he starred as the head of a medical research clinic that studied the sex habits of suburban women. Zimbalist appeared on all 241 episodes of The F.B.I., whose storylines came from actual cases. The bureau had casting control over the show. After the show ended, he participated in charity events that helped raise money for families of agents killed in the line of duty and lent his voice to narrate FBI recruiting videos. Like other stars known for a dignified persona, Zimbalist was good-humored about spoofing his career. He followed in the footsteps of such colleagues as Leslie Nielsen and Robert Stack, parodying his image in Jim Abrahams’ Rambo spoof Hot Shots! (1991), which starred Charlie Sheen. His autobiography, My Dinner of Herbs, was published in 2004 and recounted his varied career, from the glitzy Sunset Strip to the gray, power corridors of Washington. In addition to his daughter Stephanie, survivors include his son Efrem Zimbalist III. “A devout Christian, he actively enjoyed his life to the last day, showering love on his extended family, playing golf and visiting with close friends,” his children said in a statement. “We will miss him
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05-03-2014, 08:07 PM	#2
Regulus Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 07, 2011 Location: Port Orange, Florida Avatar - Poiuyt Posts: 3,371	RIP Efram Zimbalist Jr. Efrem Zimbalist Jr. Who starred in shows such as *77 Sunser Strip* & *The F.B.I. has passed away at his residence.* He was 95.
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05-03-2014, 10:26 PM	#3
D-Dey Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 11, 2000 Location: Long Island, New York, USA Posts: 5,509	Another actor I thought was dead a long time ago.
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05-03-2014, 10:58 PM	#4
robby76 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 18, 2004 Posts: 949	94 is a grand old age... wow! As a huge "Remington Steele" fan I know Efrem for his role as Daniel Chalmers. My condolences to Stephanie and the rest of the family.
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05-04-2014, 07:23 AM	#6
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 50,944	Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Star of 'The FBI,' Dies RIP http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/...ad-95-23574959 Attached Images
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05-04-2014, 06:09 AM	#5
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	I remembered him as the voice of Alfred on BTAS. He was great. R.I.P. Efram.

05-04-2014, 08:42 PM	#7
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	He had a long and incredibly successful career. He will indeed be missed...
	__________________ Perfect Gift Books for Pop Culture Fanatics: Thank You for Being a Friend: A Golden Girls Trivia Book The Bouquet Residence: A Keeping Up Appearances Trivia Book Cooking With the Golden Girls: Fun & Delicious Recipes from a Hilarious Miami Kitchen Love in the Afternoon: The Ultimate Soap Opera Trivia Book The Last Great Decade: The Ultimate 90s Trivia Book Betty White: A Celebration

05-05-2014, 09:41 AM	#8
LeeBlue Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 16, 2006 Location: NYS Posts: 871	RIP Efrem Zimbalist Jr. He was a favorite actor and will be missed. My sympathy goes out to his family and friends.

05-05-2014, 11:13 AM	#9
Hot Lips I Have Hot Lips Frequent Poster Join Date: May 05, 2014 Location: 4077th MAS*H Posts: 149	R.I.P.: I sure wish I make it to 95 years old.

05-05-2014, 11:35 AM	#10
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,338	Suggest merging this thread with this one: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=324310

05-05-2014, 01:14 PM	#11
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	sleep well my friend

05-05-2014, 03:18 PM	#12
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,389	He seemed like a cool guy. He lived a nice long life. Rest in peace.