Iconic actor and 1960s television heartthrob George Maharis has passed away at the age of 94.
The legendary TV star was best known for his roles in the ABC series Fantasy Island, which ran from 1977 to 1984, and the CBS show Route 66, which ran from 1960 to 1964 for a total of 116 episodes.
“George is well known for his stardom in Route 66, stage productions, singing, artist, and above all a great guy would do anything for anyone. My dear friend, you’ll be terribly missed,” the actor’s close friend, Marc Bahan, posted as he announced his passing.
Maharis rose to fame after appearing on Route 66 as Buz Murdock. The storyline followed Buz and Tod Stiles, who was played by Martin Milner, and their numerous adventures on the road.
After three seasons and an Emmy nomination for his role, George left the popular CBS show saying he needed to protect his health after his hepatitis diagnosis.
“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,” he said at the time.
While the show’s producers at the time attempted to shift blame on the actor saying he parted ways with Route 66 because he wanted to focus on making movies instead, biographer Karen Blocher claimed homophobia amongst the series’ executives was responsible for the rift.
“The producers felt betrayed and duped when they learned of Maharis’s sexual orientation, and never trusted him again. In a less homophobic era, they might have communicated better, and worked things out,” she said, referring to the actor’s homosexuality.
After leaving the show, Maharis went on to appear in a variety of movies including the likes of Quick, Before It Melts in 1964 and The Satan Bug in 1965. In the 1970s, the actor once shifted towards television by securing roles in the likes of The Most Deadly Game and Fantasy Island.
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