Posted on 05/03/2014 9:25:09 AM PDT by BenLurkin
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Actor Efrem Zimbalist Jr., star of the smash 60s and 70s TV drama “The FBI,” has died.
Zimbalist was 95.
The actor played unflappable Inspector Erskine in the series that ran on ABC from 1965-1974. The show dramatized real FBI cases.
Zimbalist Sr. was a concert violinist, the actor’s mother was opera singer Alma Gluck. Zimbalist Jr.’s daughter, Stephanie, had her own successful acting career — most notably as the female lead in the hit “Remington Steele” (1982-87) opposite Pierce Brosnan.
The actor was born in New York City on November 30, 1918. He died peacefully today in Solvang, confirmed daughter Stephanie.
He acted until 2008,
Raised in privilege, Zimbalist went to the Yale School of Drama. After serving in the war (he also received a Purple Heart), Zimbalist landed a series of stage roles and worked in soap operas.
He was often cast as the dry and canny detective. When the role of Erskine came along, he was ready to trade in second banana roles in movies and in stage plays to play the lead.
Other notable roles included 1967′s “Wait Until Dark” (he played Audrey Hepburn’s husband) and “Airport 75.” He starred in many TV shows, most notably “Hotel,” Maverick” and “Hawaiian Eye”/”77 Sunset Strip.” In the latter two shows, he played the role of Stuart Bailey.
On his daughter’s show, he played the recurring role of Daniel Chalmers.
A long full life....good acting, good shows and his work is a far cry from the diverse crap they put on TV today.
He sounds like a very good man indeed.
He was involved with TBN for a time but later pulled away and went back to his Episcopalian roots.
Rest in peace, Mr. Zimbalist.
RIP. Loved him.
Zimbalist said in an interview four decades later that fans of the FBI show occasionally approached him to say they had joined the FBI or had become police officers because of his portrayal of the calm and authoritative government agent on the series.
“I get more joy from that than anything in my life,” he said. “When you learn that you inspired someone, it’s a huge honor.”
Efrem Zimbalist Jr. was born in New York, New York, the son of Jewish parents - the famed Russian-born violinist Efrem Zimbalist, Sr.[1] and Romanian-born operatic soprano Alma Gluck.
You got his roots wrong. Gluck for sure was a Jewish woman, its a very common Jewish Surname.
I always liked his first name very Biblical, and distinctive
RIP Efrem
Efrem Senior did indeed have his children baptized and raised in the Episcopal Church.
Not mentioned in most notices outside the conservative blogosphere: He was a devout Christian and lifelong conservative, who campaigned for Barry Goldwater in 1964 and for Ronald Reagan in all of his campaigns, and was a close friend of the former President, whose political career he helped to shape.
Dang! EZ certainly aged well; in fact, improved with age.
Your right, he was born a Jew, and choose to be a Christian and raise his kids as Christians.
All that really matters is he was a good person.
I’d forgotten that Zimbalist’s mother was Alma Gluck. My grandparents had a few of her old Victor records. Along with those of Zimabalist Sr. Still have them around here, somewhere.
The first seven seasons of “The FBI” are out on dvd. Solid, steady entertainment. I have the first six seasons, and plan to get the seventh shortly. “77 Sunset Strip” hasn’t made it to dvd yet, the main reason apparently due to music rights clearances.
RIP Stu Bailey.
He was the voice of TBN for many years (might still be), and was involved with Transcendental Meditation (of the Maharishi variety).
Thanks, this was nice.
thanx special!
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