George Maharis

George Maharis

George Maharis Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on May 29, 2023.
George Maharis was an actor best known for his starring role on the 1960s TV series “Route 66.”

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March 31, 2025

Cindy Hooper posted to the memorial.

March 27, 2025

Terrence Hecomovich posted to the memorial.

January 26, 2025

Lorraine Anit - Cobb posted to the memorial.

44 Entries

Cindy Hooper

March 31, 2025

One of the best television shows in my time. Whenever I get nostalgic, I watch these old shows and wish I could teleport myself back in time. Thanks George for the memories.

Terrence Hecomovich

March 27, 2025

During the years 1960-1963 when George was on Route 66, I was 13 to 16 years old and I never missed an episode. Buz was so cool. I was dark and European ethnic like George and I tried to emulate him in some ways, his toughness and the way he dressed. It was a great series and George never missed. It’s sad to know he’s gone. But we will always have Route 66! Rest in peace, George!

Lorraine Anit - Cobb

January 26, 2025

Dear Fam Maharias and Friends: I recently watched for the 1st time, classic film: Exodus, Directed by Otto Preminger. Mr. Maharis had a part and of course, I admired his acting equally in Route 66!
I wanted to write and thank him for his exceptional talent and performances.
I am saddened to hear of his passing years ago. Expressing my deepest condolences
and appreciation for decades of contributions to the film industry. Being a minority, work hard, have successful career, reaching the American Dream.

George Maharis

Patty Parker Lancaster

December 9, 2024

I never missed an episode of Route 66 just to see George Maharis. I had such a crush on him. I drew a picture of him in my art class. I quit watching the show when you left. I was 15 at the time.

Vea Barksdale

September 26, 2024

This handsome talented man was my heartthrob when I was a teenager and he brought such Joy to a lonely teenage girl God bless his soul

May 17, 2024

Dear George - we met in 1984 and had a very nice friendship. I will miss you until I join you.

Love, Augie

Philip Rouillard

December 28, 2023

I was sorry to learn about Mr Maharis passing. I will always remember him from Route 66 as a kid at the time I always watched the series. I even purchased it when it was released on DVD. I learned late of his passing wished now I had written to him about my memory of Route 66.

Regina Johnson

December 25, 2023

I remember watching Route 66 when I was a teenager. I always thought George Maharis was so great looking. I’m glad he lived a nice long life.

December 8, 2023

GM: He will be missed as Jack McAlister in Episode: 'Programmed For Death' of 1989 Superboy the series!

Susan Dudak

November 29, 2023

When I was 14, I watched Route 66 faithfully. Loved George in his role. One day, I heard he was coming to our town and was going to stay at our Hilton Hotel. I took one dollar and took the bus to Pittsburgh to see if I could meet him. As I was in the lobby of the Hotel, George and his fans came marching down the hall and many got on the elevator with him to go to his room - I squeezed myself in. He was holding a huge pie someone had given him and he asked me if I wanted some and I said no even though I was starving by that time. He was so wonderful. Let us all take pictures with him and his brother let us take his picture as well. Lee Marvin was mean (haha) and would not even talk to us. A wonderful day for me and my friend. Will never forget it.

Stevie Presley

November 13, 2023

What a wonderful man! I wrote him a few years ago and received a handwritten beautiful letter with a photo signed to me. I watched him last night on a episode of “fantasy island “. Such a fine actor! My prayers are with the family..

Karen Connor

November 3, 2023

You were the first love of my life ...

Susan Green

October 6, 2023

You will be greatly missed. Still watch DVDs from route 66. Maybe we can meet in spirit on the other side one day.

Stormy Amick

September 17, 2023

Mr. Maharis you will be missed. You were a great actor, singer, painter, and I am most certainly a wonderful human being. I wish I could have known you. I listen to your music almost daily.

Brenda Embry

September 11, 2023

My sister and cousin were crazy over buz Murdock they were going to be the female buz and tod

Earline

August 29, 2023

The first show I saw George Maharis on was “Fantasy Island”. It was their second episode, which was actually a movie, titled: “Return To Fantasy Island”. George was around 50 Years Old when that movie aired. I think the next thing I saw him on was “Murder, She Wrote”. I heard of the show: “Route 66” because of the death of “Nelson Riddle”, in the 1980’s. He was the Composer of the Instrumental Theme Song “Route 66”, for the show by the same title. I remember people were talking about that show, the theme song, and Nelson Riddle for awhile after that. And it was played for awhile on the radio, too, after his death. That may have been because “Route 66” began not too far from where I lived at that time. I hadn’t seen “Route 66”, heard the Theme Song, or knew about Nelson Riddle before then. I still can’t believe that I lived so close to “The Mother Road”, a piece of American History, and missed the whole thing.

Ed Milan

August 26, 2023

A great and talented actor whose performance in the “Zoo Story” by playwright Edward Albee will remain forever memorable. RIP dear friend.

Liz

July 26, 2023

George Maharis was my first teenage crush!!! I was beyond thrilled to have had the opportunity to meet him when he came to Montreal in 1962!!!

Barry Foxworth

July 25, 2023

I knew George in 1961 when I managed the Rochester One Stop Record Co. He came to town for the better part of the week and I made his arrangements for his stay. I enjoyed his company during his stay. He was a wonderful man, a great entertainer and gave me an autographed picture of us together.

Debbie Novotny

July 24, 2023

I loved George Maharis on Route 66 and all of his movies. I have all of his albums and was lucky to see his performance at the Twin Coaches on Route 51 south of Pittsburgh. He signed my autograph book and took a picture with me 1966. RIP

Moonyene Attaway

July 21, 2023

Had a terrible crush on Mr Maharis grime the age of 12. Loved ever episode of the show. I never have a favorite one. All were great. And then I found out he sang and my daddy started buying me his albums until I got a job and started buying them myself. I was really excited to find out a Route 66 episode was filmed here in the town I now live in. Crandall Texas. Some of the buildings still exist in the town. There is. Bridge outside of town that Martin drove across in the episode, I’ve named it the George Maharis Bridge.

Anita Imazumi

July 20, 2023

I met George at a Luncheon when I was 22 years old. We went to a party the day after I met him and he will always be in my heart

Iris Winters

July 11, 2023

such a talented man. Honoured to have received and autographed picture from him a few months ago. RIP George

Agustin Quiros

July 6, 2023

Dear George - I Love You and will always remember our close Friendship.

Judith Rollins

June 21, 2023

Met George in Baltimore, Md. when he was appearing in the play "Company". We had many happy days together, and I never forgot your wonderful friendship. Going driving in a yellow Dodge Swinger that the theatre provided for him. We laughed over it not being a Corvette. RIP dear friend.

Mary Hobbs

June 17, 2023

May you rest in peace.

Mr. Jr.

June 15, 2023

My Condolences.

Sharon Frances Humphrey

June 4, 2023

GEORGE MAHARIS was my FIRST GREAT HEARTTHROB AS A TEENAGER! Never missed watching "Route 66" as a shy teenager. He was not only handsome, but had tremendous charisma as an actor. LOVED the premise of the TV show which encouraged me to "get out" from an over-protective family and explore the world through travel and meeting new people. YOU INSPIRED ME, MR. MAHARIS. God bless you.

Dave Masko

June 4, 2023

In ancient Greece one thing was asked when someone great like George passed -- "did he live with passion?" The George Maharis, who so kindly wrote us dozens of letters about our shared Greek heritage, did live with passion, so hail the king of Route 66 who now lives forever with the gods.

Mary Paterson-Bright

June 2, 2023

George was my first TV star crush! RIP

Greg Rusnack

June 2, 2023

I met George at the Bally's gym in Manhattan in the early 2000's. Was a very nice man and he will be missed.
Enjoyed our conversations about life, politics, etc while working out. RIP Mr. Maharis

Teresa Gates

June 1, 2023

Rest in Peace ♀

May 31, 2023

Wonderful actor sincerest condolences to the family.

Miles Arena

May 31, 2023

Really enjoyed watching Route 66 and other film roles George Maharis was in. He was a very good actor and I liked his style. Also have over the years obtained all of his record albums. I have read that when George left Route 66 another actor was considered but he turned it down. That actor had a role in one of the episodes and would have been perfect -- Burt Reynolds. Thank you Mr. Maharis for your entertainment for so many years, you will be missed.

May 31, 2023

May the God of all comfort give you peace and comfort during this difficult time of loss and beyond.

Spencer Johnson

May 30, 2023

Thank you for being an inspiration as a true Renaissance man. Thank you for coming to meet me at my Hollywood movie premiere. Meeting you fulfilled a long-time wish and remains one of my life's greatest highlights. Thank you for what you've given to all of us.

Anastasija Pologar

May 30, 2023

Mr. Maharis was a true Renaissance man -- an underrated actor, a fine singer, and an accomplished visual artist. Seeing episodes of his adventures on Route 66 as a very small child truly inspired me to explore the world. I was very happy to rediscover the episodes recently and to receive a very kind and thoughtful letter from him in response to a fan letter I sent a year ago. He lived a long and fruitful life. May he rest in peace.

May 30, 2023

I was a teenager when he was playing on Route 66 just waiting for him to stop at our little town and find me! Big crush on him but I married a guy just like him in 66! Love the actor RIP George!

Stephanie Schell

May 30, 2023

You will be remembered for your good looks and acting.

John DiNardi

May 30, 2023

Now he can ride with Martin Milner in their Corvette on Route 66 again. Great actor and the TV show was tremendous. The show had a big impact on me growing up the 1960's. Rest in Peace.

Robert Park

May 29, 2023

When I was 5, all I wanted was to be Buzz Murdoch when I grew up.

Jim Ferguson

May 29, 2023

Route 66 has come to an end now that Maharis and Milner have traveled on
My favorite show when I was younger watching them in Scotland
Still have his 45rpm of Teach me Tonight
God bless
RIP

Stephanie Schell

May 29, 2023

Remember hearing about that show over the years.

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March 31, 2025

Cindy Hooper posted to the memorial.

March 27, 2025

Terrence Hecomovich posted to the memorial.

January 26, 2025

Lorraine Anit - Cobb posted to the memorial.