Efram Zimbalist Jr. passes on

[waltky]

Uncle Ferd remembers when he used to say, "Book `em Dan-o...

Efrem Zimbalist Jr., star of 'The FBI,' dead at 95
3 May`14 — Efrem Zimbalist Jr., the son of famous musical parents who established his own lasting celebrity in two of television's most popular series, "77 Sunset Strip" and "The F.B.I.," died Friday at age 95.

Zimbalist died at his Solvang home in California's bucolic horse country, said family friend Judith Moose, who released a statement from his children Stephanie Zimbalist and Efrem Zimbalist III. "We are heartbroken to announce the passing into peace of our beloved father, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., today at his Solvang ranch," the statement read. "He actively enjoyed his life to the last day, showering love on his extended family, playing golf and visiting with close friends."

Zimbalist's stunning good looks and cool, deductive manner made him the ideal star as the hip private detective ferreting out Hollywood miscreants in "77 Sunset Strip," which aired from 1958 to 1964. As soon as that show ended he segued seamlessly into "The F.B.I." which aired from 1965 to 1974. At the end of each episode of the latter show, after Zimbalist and his fellow G-men had captured that week's mobsters, subversives, bank robbers or spies, the series would post photos from the FBI's real-life most-wanted list. Some of those pictures led to arrests, which helped give the show the complete seal of approval of the agency's real-life director, J. Edgar Hoover.

The son of violin virtuoso Efrem Zimbalist and acclaimed opera singer Alma Gluck, young Efrem initially appeared headed for a musical career. He studied violin for seven years under the tutelage of Jascha Heifetz's father, but eventually developed more interest in theater. He became an actor and "77 Sunset Strip" made him a star. His daughter Stephanie also took up acting — and small-screen detective work, in the hit 1980s TV series "Remington Steele." Her father had a recurring role in that show as a con man.

After serving in World War II, Zimbalist made his stage debut in "The Rugged Path," starring Spencer Tracy, and appeared in other plays and a soap opera before being called to Hollywood. Warner Bros. signed him to a contract and cast him in minor film roles. He also had a recurring role in the hit 1950s Western series "Maverick," playing con man Dandy Jim Buckley.

More Efrem Zimbalist Jr., star of 'The FBI,' dead at 95

 

[DGS49]

When I was a kid, I thought he was related to Sammy Davis, Jr.

Thought "Junior" was their last name.

 

[Moonglow]

He did have a nice tan...

 

[boedicca]

Uncle Ferd remembers when he used to say, "Book `em Dan-o...

Uh, wasn't that Jack Lord who starred in Hawaii 5-0?

 

[Moonglow]

Uncle Ferd remembers when he used to say, "Book `em Dan-o...

Uh, wasn't that Jack Lord who starred in Hawaii 5-0?

He's so nice as a poster, I didn't have the heart to tell him..

 

[rightwinger]

Uncle Ferd remembers when he used to say, "Book `em Dan-o...

Uh, wasn't that Jack Lord who starred in Hawaii 5-0?

Efram Zimbalest Jr starred in "The FBI"