George Maharis: From Route 66 to Retirement [2024]

George Maharis, one of the most enduring stars of 1960s television, is best known for his role as Buz Murdock on the hit show Route 66. Now 79 years old, he has been retired from acting for nearly 15 years and spends his time between homes in Beverly Hills and New York City tending to his investments and creating impressionistic oil paintings.

Maharis was born on September 1, 1928 in Astoria, Queens, New York. He began his acting career at a young age under the pseudonym “Gerry Maharis” and appeared in several Broadway productions. His first major role came with the TV series The Asphalt Jungle in 1961. He then went on to star opposite Martin Milner as Buz Murdock in Route 66, a show that followed two young men traversing the United States in a Chevrolet Corvette convertible and highlighted the events and consequences they encountered along the way.

The show became an instant hit and ran for four seasons (1960-1964). During its run it helped to establish Maharis as one of Hollywood’s most beloved leading men. After Route 66 ended, Maharis went on to appear in films such as The Satan Bug (1965) and The Happening (1967) before retiring from acting in 1975.

In recent years Maharis’ artwork has been featured at The Elizabeth Collection Gallery in Rochester, NY where visitors can view his unique style of oil painting. His works are also available online through galleries like Etsy and Saatchi Art where they can be purchased by art lovers arund the world.

George Maharis is an icon of 1960s television who continues to make an impact even today through his artistic expression. His iconic role as Buz Murdock on Route 66 will remain an important part of pop culture history for decades to come.

What Happened to George Maharis?

George Maharis is currently living a comfortable retirement life in Beverly Hills, California and New York City. At 79 years of age, he has been retired for nearly 15 years. He spends his days overseeing his investments and creating impressionistic oil paintings. His artwork can be seen at the Elizabeth Collection in Rochester, New York.

Source: imdb.com

The Stars of Route 66

The two stars of the popular TV series Route 66 were Martin Milner and George Maharis. Milner, best known for his role as Officer Pete Malloy in Adam-12, portrayed Tod Stiles, a recent college graduate who embarks on a cross-country journey with his friend Buz Murdock (played by Maharis). Both actors were praised for their performances on the show, with Milner being nominated for an Emmy Award in 1962.

Does George Maharis Have a Toupee?

Yes, George Maharis wears a toupee. His hair has receded about three inches, and he covers this with a dark wave of hair that gives him a more youthful look on screen. He does not use a stand-in for any of the action scenes he is in, so his toupee is visible during these scenes.

The Departure of George Maharis from Route 66

Maharis left Route 66 at the end of the third season due to a combination of illness and contract disputes. He had been diagnosed with hepatitis and had to miss part of the third season, causing tension between himself and the production company. In addition, rumors began to circulate that he was unhappy with the terms of his contract, leading him to leave the show. His departure marked the end of an era for Route 66, as his replacement actor Glenn Corbett failed to capture the same level of audience engagement as Maharis had in his iconic role.

Source: sixtysixkicks.blogspot.com

Conclusion

George Maharis has been retired from acting for nearly 15 years, but he remains active in other areas. He spends much of his time at his homes in Beverly Hills and New York City overseeing his investments and creating oil paintings. His work can be seen at the Elizabeth Collection in Rochester, N.Y., and he is fondly remembered for his role as Buz Murdock on the classic television show Route 66. Maharis continues to live a life of creativity and relaxation, enjoying the fruits of his labor after a successful career in entertainment.