Efrem Zimbalist Jr. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
Zimbalist in 1956
Born	(1918-11-30)November 30, 1918 Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Died	May 2, 2014(2014-05-02) (aged 95) Solvang, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Alma mater	Yale University
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1945–2008
Known for	Lewis Erskine, Stuart Bailey, Dandy Jim Buckley, Alfred Pennyworth
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Television	77 Sunset Strip, The F.B.I., Maverick, Batman: The Animated Series
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Emily Munroe McNair (1941-1950; died) Loranda Stephanie Spalding (1956-2007; died)
Children	3, including Stephanie Zimbalist
Parent(s)	Efrem Zimbalist Sr. Alma Gluck
Relatives	Marcia Davenport (half-sister)
Military career
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1941–1945
Rank	Second Lieutenant
Unit	Company L, 60th Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Acting Awards Golden Globe Award Military Awards Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart Combat Infantryman Badge

Efrem Zimbalist Jr. (born November 30, 1918 – died May 2, 2014) was a famous American actor. He was best known for his main roles in TV shows like 77 Sunset Strip and The F.B.I.. He also played "Dandy Jim Buckley" in Maverick. Many people know his voice as Alfred Pennyworth in the DC Animated Universe cartoons.

Early Life and Education

Efrem Zimbalist Jr. was born in 1918 in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were very famous musicians. His father, Efrem Zimbalist Sr., was a well-known violinist and conductor from Russia. His mother, Alma Gluck, was a famous opera singer from Romania.

Efrem Jr. had an older sister, Mary, and a half-sister, Marcia Davenport, who was an author. He went to Fay School and St. Paul's School, where he enjoyed acting in school plays. He also briefly attended Yale University. In 1936, he moved back to New York City. He worked as a page for NBC radio and had small roles on air. He also studied acting before joining the army.

Military Service in World War II

Zimbalist joined the United States Army in 1941 during World War II. He trained to become an officer and became a second lieutenant in 1943. He was a leader in the 60th Infantry Regiment.

He fought in Europe after the Normandy landings. During the battle of Hürtgen Forest, he was injured in his leg by shrapnel. For his bravery, he received the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart. He also earned the Combat Infantryman Badge. He left the army when the war ended in 1945.

Acting Career Highlights

Starting on Stage and TV

After the war, Zimbalist started acting on Broadway. His first play was The Rugged Path with Spencer Tracy. He also became a producer for plays. He helped bring three operas by Gian Carlo Menotti to Broadway. One of them, The Consul, won a special music award in 1950.

In 1954, he got his first role in a TV series called Concerning Miss Marlowe.

Becoming a Warner Bros. Star

Andra Martin and Zimbalist in 77 Sunset Strip, 1960

In 1956, Warner Bros. studio signed Zimbalist to a contract. He moved to Hollywood to work on movies and TV shows.

His first regular TV role was as "Dandy Jim Buckley" in the Western series Maverick in 1957. He appeared in five episodes. In 1958, he got a main role as Stuart "Stu" Bailey in 77 Sunset Strip. This detective show was very popular and ran until 1964.

While working on 77 Sunset Strip, he also appeared in other Warner Bros. TV shows. These included Hawaiian Eye and The Alaskans. He also starred in several movies for Warner Bros., like Bombers B-52 and The Deep Six. He was so busy that the studio boss, Jack Warner, gave him a vacation because he was tired.

In 1959, he won a Golden Globe Award for "Most Promising Newcomer – Male."

Starring in The F.B.I.

Zimbalist in The F.B.I., 1971

Efrem Zimbalist Jr. is also very well known for his role as Inspector Lewis Erskine in the TV show The F.B.I.. The show started in 1965 and ended in 1974. Zimbalist really liked working on the show and praised the producer. People who worked with him admired his professional and friendly personality.

He had a good relationship with J. Edgar Hoover, who was the director of the F.B.I. Hoover wanted the show to be very accurate and show F.B.I. agents in a good way. He even asked actors playing F.B.I. employees to have background checks. Zimbalist spent time with Hoover and at the F.B.I. Academy to learn more about the job. They respected each other a lot.

In 1985, the character of Lewis Erskine was honored by former F.B.I. agents. In 2009, Robert Mueller, another F.B.I. Director, gave Zimbalist a special award for his work on the series.

Other TV and Voice Roles

Zimbalist in 1972

After 77 Sunset Strip, Zimbalist appeared in other TV series and movies. He was in films like Wait Until Dark and Airport 1975.

He had a recurring role as Daniel Chalmers, a clever con man, in his daughter Stephanie Zimbalist's TV show Remington Steele. He also appeared in the series Hotel.

In the 1990s, Zimbalist played the father of Zorro in The New Zorro. He also had a small role in the science fiction show Babylon 5.

One of his most famous voice roles was Alfred Pennyworth in Batman: The Animated Series. He voiced Alfred in many other animated shows and movies, including Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League, and Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. He also voiced the villain Doctor Octopus in Spider-Man: The Animated Series.

Zimbalist wrote a book about his life called My Dinner of Herbs. His last film role was in a short film called The Delivery in 2008.

Personal Life

Efrem's parents, Alma Gluck and Efrem Zimbalist Sr., 1915

In 1941, Efrem Zimbalist Jr. married his first wife, Emily Munroe McNair. They had two children, Efrem "Skip" Zimbalist III and Nancy. Emily passed away from cancer in 1950.

In 1956, he married Loranda Stephanie Spalding. Their daughter, actress Stephanie Zimbalist, was named after her mother. Loranda passed away in 2007.

Beliefs

Zimbalist's parents were of Jewish background but did not practice the religion after moving to America. Efrem Jr. was baptized in the Episcopal Church and attended church regularly as a child. He said his faith helped him when his first wife died.

Later in his life, Zimbalist became involved with Christian television networks. He read Bible verses on the Trinity Broadcasting Network for many years. He later joined an Episcopal church near his home.

Politics

Efrem Zimbalist Jr. was a Republican. In 1963 and 1964, he supported U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater in his campaign for president.

Death

Efrem Zimbalist Jr. passed away on May 2, 2014, at the age of 95. This was the same age his father had been when he died.

Filmography

Movies

Television Shows

Video Games

Images for kids

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  Zimbalist in 77 Sunset Strip, 1963

See also

In Spanish: Efrem Zimbalist Jr. para niños