Il 24 maggio, George Maharis è morto all’età di 94 anni, secondo The Hollywood Reporter. L’attore è stato ampiamente riconosciuto per il ruolo di Buz Murdock nella serie drammatica della CBS “Route 66”, per la quale ha ottenuto una nomination agli Emmy. Durante le riprese della terza stagione nel 1962, a Maharis fu diagnosticata l’epatite e trascorse un mese in ospedale. Di conseguenza, non è stato in grado di continuare. Alla fine è tornato allo spettacolo, ma se n’è andato di nuovo dopo aver affrontato una ricaduta. In un’intervista del 2007 con Route 66 News, Maharis ha rivelato: « Il dottore ha detto: ‘Se non esci adesso, o morirai o avrai danni permanenti al fegato' ». Sulla sua dura malattia, Maharis ha notato che gli ci sono voluti quasi tre anni per riprendersi e riprendere il suo lavoro.
Following Maharis' death, fans took to Twitter to share heartfelt tributes. One user wrote, "Oh, how sad. I loved him on Route 66. Couldn't wait for Friday nights to watch it." Another fan remarked, "I always enjoyed his work on TV and films and met him over 30 years ago. I spoke to him on the phone often when I worked at Equity and when I retired in 2019 he sent me a card with a very nice letter promising to keep." Despite Maharis' health battles, the actor had an accomplished career.
George Maharis was a prolific and versatile actor
George Maharis was a versatile performer who appeared in a number of theater productions, television shows, and movies. In the mid to late '60s, the star acted in films such as "Sylvia," "A Covenant With Death," "The Satan Bug," and "The Happening," per The Hollywood Reporter. One of his last performances was in the 1993 thriller "Doppelganger," which featured Drew Barrymore as the lead, according to the New York Post. As far as his television career, Maharis secured numerous roles, including a part on the ABC series "Fantasy Island." He also established himself in the music industry, hitting No. 25 on the Billboard charts for his track "Teach Me Tonight." In 1973 Maharis made history as the second actor to pose nude for Playgirl magazine.
Loved ones remember Maharis as a prolific performer and beloved human being. Marc Bahan, Maharis' friend and caregiver, took to Facebook to sing his praises for the late actor. He wrote, "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."
