Efrem Zimbalist Jr. -- RIP

Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
(Image: Wikipedia)

When I was a young boy, I grew up in a small town in central New York. TV consisted of two local affiliates of major networks; each station signed off at midnight. My family owned a black-and-white television set that occupied a corner of our small living room. One program I remember watching was 77 Sunset Strip. The show's star, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., didn't do anything memorable, but I can still imagine the show's third wheel, Kookie, combing his hair into what I supposed passed for style. (Keep in mind those were the days when beatniks were easily identified because they sported beards and wore black turtleneck sweaters.)

Producer Roy Huggins' story arcs and character nuances that propelled 77 Sunset Strip's typical narrative may seem tame by today's raunchy standards, or even those explored by contemporaries such as Samuel Fuller or Chester Himes. Yet Zimbalist Jr., who passed away recently at age 95, made this make-believe world a palatable one for millions of TV viewers. (The linked YouTube collection of 77 Sunset Strip opening credits, introduction, and theme song are great fun to watch.)

Ironically, Zimbalist Jr. was quoted in his LA Times obituary as disliking television acting. However, as his producer riposted, no one knew about Efrem Zimbalist Jr. until 77 Sunset Strip. What did Zimbalist enjoy? Well, he appreciated when his performances motivated people to make important career choices. His role in the hit television series The FBI accomplished this goal; a Federal Bureau of Investigation later awarded Zimbalist Jr. its highest civilian honor in gratitude for the people influenced by the actor and the positive shaping of the Bureau's image.