Route 66 and Fantasy Island actor George Maharis has died at the at the age of 94, his friend has announced.
His friend and caretaker Marc Bahan confirmed the sad news in a touching tribute, announcing the star has died on Wednesday (May 24).
The tribute said: “George is well known for his stardom in Route 66, stage productions, singing, artist, and above all a great guy who would do anything for anyone.
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“My dear friend, you’ll be terribly missed.”
George got into acting in the late 1940s after a stint in New York and landed some off-Broadway roles.
(Image: CBS via Getty Images)
He soon got his television break in 1953, before landing his movie debut in 1958 in The Mugger.
But his huge success didn’t come until he played Buz Murdock on Naked City spin-off Route 66 in the 1960s.
He decided to leave the show in 1963, after he was nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal of Buz, saying it was because of exhaustion.
(Image: American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images)
The show continued but critics say it wasn’t the same.
He said in 1963: “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.”
George also starred in The Most Deadly Game, Rich Man, Poor Man, and Look What’s Happened to Rosemary’s Baby.
(Image: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
His final role came in 1993’s Doppelganger, which also starred Drew Barrymore.
It was reported that George had struggled with his sexuality, and was arrested for having sex with men in restrooms in 1967 and 1974.
But taking control of his sexuality, he became one of the first famous faces to strip nude for Playgirl in 1973.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
