Route 66 star George Maharis Died at 94! Was He Gay? Wiki | Estimated Net Worth 2023 & Movies
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George Maharis, an American actor, singer, and artist was in the media limelight when he played the role of Buz Murdock in the TV series Route 66. He got popular for his role in the TV series The Most Deadly Game.
His appearance in tv shows like Studio One, Kraft Television Theater, Goodyear Television Playhouse, and Stirling Silliphant’s Naked City made him make a place in the heart of viewers. He played the role of Count Machelli in the cult classic film The Sword and the Sorcerer.
Early Life of George Maharis
George Maharis was born on September 1, 1928, in Astoria, New York, United States. If he was alive, George would be at the age of 95. George used to cut his birthday cake on the 1st of September and his birth sign was Virgo. His birth name was George Maharias. He was born as the son of Demetra Strains (mother) and Vasidos Maharis (father). His father was a restaurant owner.
George spent his early life with 6 siblings. One of his brothers, Robert Maharis was an actor who died at a young age. He spent his childhood in poverty because of his father’s failed dining business. George had American citizenship and he used to belong to the Greek ethnic community. George used to follow the Christianity religion. He joined Actors Studio and graduated from Flushing High School.
George Maharis was Single & Gay
George was living happily with his close ones at the time of his death. He once dated Deborah Walley. He was in a relationship with actress, Deborah when they met each other for the first tie on the set of Route 66. After some time Deborah and Maharis parted their ways.
He was once caught up with a hairstylist, Perfecto Telles in between doing physical activities at a gas station in Los Angeles on 21st November 1974. At that time, the same-sex relationship was illegal, and due to this George was arrested for having physical relations with the same gender.
George Maharis’s Net Worth
George had a net worth of $2 million during his death. Maharis earned this money from his career as an American actor and singer. George used to earn $46,960 per year as his annual salary. He used to one a car named Corvette.
George Maharis’s Death Cause
Maharis left this universe on 24th May 2023, in his home in Beverly Hills. He was 94 years old at the time of his death and died due to hepatitis. Even though he was a millionaire he couldn’t buy himself a liver and even left the show, Route 66 in the 1960s. His death was announced by his caretaker and friend, Marc Bahan on Facebook:
“George Maharis, a stage-trained actor with rough-hewn good looks who became an icon to American youth in the 1960s as he cruised the country in a Corvette convertible in the hit television series Route 66, has died. He died Wednesday at his home in Beverly Hills, California, after contracting hepatitis. He was 94.”
Reasons Behind George Maharis Leaving Route 66
George left the show, Route 66 in the third season. He made the decision because of his health problems, including hepatitis and a contract dispute. His biographer, Karen Blocher revealed that due to George’s gay sexual orientation, his producer made him leave the show. Then, the show got canceled in March 1964.
The career of George Maharis as an Actor, Singer, and Model
- Maharis was multi-talented and was a pro actor, singer, and model.
- He debuted in acting by playing in Edward Albee‘s production, The Zoo Story in 1960.
- He appeared as Buz Murdock with Martin Milner in the TV show Route 66 in 1960.
- From 1970 to 1971, he played the role of criminal Jonathan Croft in the television series The Most Deadly Game.
- He grabbed his modeling career by appearing in Playgirl magazine in July 1973 edition.
- He began singing in a nightclub as a side gig and used to paint as well.
- His traditional song Teach Me Tonight became ranked as the top-40 pop success and peaked at number 25 in June 1962.
- He collaborated with Epic Records and released albums and songs in 1962.
- George appeared in the movie, The Sword and the Sorcerer as Count Machelli.
- He earned a nomination for Emmy Award for his role in Buz in the TV show Route 66 in 1962.
Movies & TV Shows
His popular movies are Before It Melts, The Satan Bug and Sylvia, A Covenant With Death and The Happening, and The Desperados. He had also played in The Philco Television Playhouse, The Mugger, Brenner, Alcoa Theatre, Naked City, Splendor in the Grass, Search for Tomorrow, etc.
He appeared in popular tv shows like Mission: Impossible, Fantasy Island, Kojak, McMillan & Wife, Barnaby Jones, Police Story, Switch, Cannon, Night Gallery, The Bionic Woman, Murder, She Wrote, and so on.
Albums & Singles
His popular albums are Portrait in Music, Just Turn Me Loose!, Where Can You Go For a Broken Heart?, Make Love to Me, Tonight You Belong to Me, and New Route: George Maharis.
His hits singles are After the Lights Go Down Low, They Knew About You, I’ll Never Smile Again, You, Don’t Fence Me In, Where Can You Go, and That’s How It Goes. George’s other songs are It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie, Tonight You Belong to Me, and so on.
FAQs of George Maharis
Did George Maharis serve in the Marines?
Yes, he served in the marine. He served in the United States Marine Corps for 18 months right after graduating from high school.
How tall was George Maharis?
Maharis had a tall height of 5 feet 11 inches and weighs 75kg. Maharis’s eyes were brown in color and had brown hair.
What were George Maharis’s Legal issues?
Police arrest George in charge of lewd conduct in 1967. He was also arrested for using men’s bathrooms as venues to cruise for sex in 1974.
