Saturday 12 November 2016

George Maharis

With his Mediterranean good looks and his charisma, this actor/singer/painter was leading man material. He didn't have the career that he deserved though. Perhaps the fact that he never cared to carefully conceal the fact that he is gay played a major part in this.


Tall, dark and handsome, not to mention a charismatic rebel of 60s Hollywood, actor George Maharis (real Greek family name is Mahairas) was born in 1928 in Astoria, New York as one of seven children. His immigrant father was a restaurateur. George expressed an early interest in singing and initially pursued it as a career, but extensive overuse and improper vocal lessons stripped his chords and he subsequently veered towards an acting career.

Trained at the Neighborhood Playhouse with Sanford Meisner and the Actor's Studio with Lee Strasberg, the "Method" actor found roles on dramatic TV, including a few episodes of "The Naked City," and secured an early name for himself on the late 1950s's off-Broadway scene, especially with his performances in Jean Genet's "Deathwatch" and Edward Albee's "Zoo Story". Producer/director Otto Preminger "discovered" George for film, offering the actor a choice of five small roles for his upcoming film Exodus (1960). George chose the role of an underground freedom fighter.

One of the episodes George did on the police drama "The Naked City" series ("Four Sweet Corners") wound up being a roundabout pilot for the buddy adventure series that would earn him household fame. With the arrival of the series Route 66 (1960), the actor earned intense TV stardom and a major cult following as a Brandoesque, streetwise drifter named Buzz Murdock. Partnered with the more fair-skinned, clean-scrubbed, college-educated Tod Stiles (Martin Milner, later star of Adam-12 (1968)), the duo traveled throughout the US in a hotshot convertible Corvette and had a huge female audience getting their kicks off with "Route 66" and George. During its peak, the star parlayed his TV fame into a recording career with Epic Records, producing six albums in the process and peaking at #25 in the US, in 1962, with the single Teach Me Tonight.


His next single, Love Me As I Love You, peaked at #54:


His next hit single, Baby Has Gone Bye Bye, made #62:


He also had two Hot 100 hit singles in 1963. Don't Fence Me In made #93:


His last single to hit the Hot 100, also in 1963, That's How It Goes / It Isn't There peaked at #88. Here's the latter:


He had some great moments with other artists too. Here he is, together with the unique Judy Garland:


Here's a very interesting curiosity: The Animals, Dionne Warwick, Joe & Eddie, and George Maharis, with Dylan's It Ain't Me Babe, and Blowin' In The Wind, on a US TV show in 1965.


During the middle of the Route 66's third season peak, Maharis abruptly left the series. Maharis told the story that he had contracted infectious hepatitis in 1962, and that the shoots were so grueling that to continue would risk his health. He asked the producers to give him a less arduous schedule, but they refused, and he left the show, to be replaced by Glenn Corbett in the role of  Lincoln Case. However, others relate a different scenario. Route 66 producer Herbert B. Leonard found out that Maharis was gay and was having a hard time keeping his star’s sexual activities away from the press. Maharis also used the illness, Leonard said, as an excuse to break his contract so that he could get into movies. Co-star Martin Milner and a Route 66 writer-producer confirm this version.

According to Karen Blocher, who is working on a book about Maharis and has interviewed him for the project, the reality of why Maharis left Route 66 is a combination of the two. She writes, “The producers felt betrayed and duped when they learned of Maharis's sexual orientation, and never trusted him again. Maharis, for his part, started to feel that he was carrying the show and was going unappreciated. So when he got sick, and came back, and started griping about the working conditions, the producers assumed it was all a ploy to either get more money or else get out of his contract and go make movies. In a less homophobic era, they might have communicated better, and worked things out instead of letting each other down.”

For whatever reason, Maharis left. His replacement, ruggedly handsome Glenn Corbett, failed to click with audiences and the series was canceled after the next season. Back to films, the brash and confident actor, with his health scare over, aggressively pursued stardom with a number of leads but the duds he found himself in - Quick Before It Melts (1964), Sylvia (1965), A Covenant with Death (1967), The Happening (1967), and The Desperados (1969) prime among his list of disasters - hampered his chances. The best of the lot was the suspense drama, The Satan Bug (1965), but it lacked box-office appeal and disappeared quickly.

Moreover, a 1967 sex scandal (and a subsequent one in 1974) could not have helped. In 1967 Maharis had been arrested by a vice squad officer for lewd conduct in the restroom of a Hollywood restaurant; the officer said Maharis made a pass at him. On November 21, 1974, Maharis was arrested and charged with committing a sex act with a male hairdresser in the men's room of a gas station in Los Angeles. 46 years old at the time, Maharis was booked on a sex perversion charge and released on $500 bail.

To be honest, I saw The Happening as a child and I liked it. What was not to like: it contained one of my favorite songs by the Supremes, there were three very good looking men (Maharis, Michael Parks and Robert Walker Jr.), the star was an actor I liked (Anthony Quinn), it was Faye Dunaway's second movie part (the following one would be Bonnie and Clyde) and she was gorgeous and the rest of the cast also included some excellent actors like Martha Hyer, Milton Berle, Oskar Homolka, Jack Kruschen and Clifton James. Was it a good film? Probably not. I haven't watched it since to really have an opinion. However, there's no way I'm not including the song by the Supremes.


Maharis has also recorded six albums, four of which charted in the US Top 200. His first, George Maharis Sings! (1962), was his biggest hit, peaking at #10. It contained Teach Me Tonight, as well as I Want To Be Wanted, the album's opening song:


The album's final track was After The Lights Go Down Low:


His next charting album was Portrait In Music (1962). It peaked at #32. In it, there was Love Me As I Love You. Also in this album was They Knew About You:


His next charting album was Just Turn Me Loose! (1963). It peaked at #129. It contained Baby Has Gone Bye Bye, and Don't Fence Me In. Also included was What Kind Of Fool Am I?:


His final charting album was Where Can You Go For A Broken Heart? (1963). It peaked at #77. Here's the title track:


Finally, from non-charting album Tonight You Belong To Me (1964), here's Always In My Heart:


Returning to TV in the 70s, George returned to series TV with the short-lived The Most Deadly Game (1970) co-starring fellow criminologists Ralph Bellamy and Yvette Mimieux (who replaced the late Inger Stevens who committed suicide shortly before shooting was about to start). The decade also included a spat of TV-movies including the more notable The Monk (1969) and Rich Man, Poor Man (1976). In between he appeared in Las Vegas nightclubs and summer stock, and was one of the first celebrities to pose for a nude centerfold in Playgirl (July 1973).

His last years brought about the occasional film, most notably as the resurrected warlock in The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982) and an appearance in the horror thriller Doppelganger (1993). With his "bad boy" glory days behind him, Maharis' TV career ended rather routinely with guest parts on such popular but unchallenging shows such as "Fantasy Island" and "Murder, She Wrote".


Maharis' later years were spent focusing on impressionistic painting. He has been fully retired since the early 1990s. He is still alive and well and in an excellent shape for an 88-year-old man.

35 comments:

  1. I loved George Maharis. And quite liked "The Happening" and "Sylvia," but agree with you about "The Satan Bug." It's a crime the way gay actors were treated in Hollywood, Rock Hudson being the exception that, I guess, proves the rule. Rock's buddy George Nader was forced into exile in the late '50s, only to have a second career in Germany. This was cut short by his failing eyesight, a fact which then led him to take up his pen and write a gay Sci-fi novel. He was one of the beneficiaries in Hudson's will. Alas, he had no singing career.

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    1. I would have loved to include George Nader, but, as you rightly say AFHI, he had no singing career. I still believe that it's tough for out gay actors to get leading man parts in Hollywood. I mean, Matt Bomer, for instance, is leading man material, but I haven't see him as the lead in any high profile Hollywood movie yet. They will accept us as character actors, or as comic relief, but I believe we've still got a long way to go.

      By the way, is this your 1967 Beatles' list that was just posted? It appears as belonging to "Anonymous".

      Have a great weekend!

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    2. I remember reading somewhere that Confidential, the scandal paper of the time, was getting ready to expose Hudson, and whoever managed or oversaw both careers tossed Nader to those wolves in order to save Hudson. Nader knew about it, generously capitulated because Rock was a friend, and didn't hold a grudge about it. I have the Sara Davidson biography on Hudson from 1986; that may have been where I read it.

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    3. Hey again dvlaries! I believe the man you're referring to is Tab Hunter, not Nader. (I have already presented Hudson's manager's dirty deal in my Tab Hunter story. I find it unlikely that Nader was involved too, but if you have a story that supports this, please do present it. It'll be very useful.

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  2. And here are my Beatles faves from 1967. It's hard to think of the Beatles without smiling, but I haven't really been in a mood to smile the last few days. I should get around to completing my lists in the next week. As a side note, I can find no evidence that "Across the Universe" was recorded before 1968, yet I see it made both your and Recordman's lists for 1967 Am I wrong? Here's the list:
    1. Strawberry Fields Forever
    2. Penny Lane (actually, my first two entries are tied, as they are inseparable to my mind, constituting the best single, A and B sides, ever produced!)
    3. A Day in the Life
    4. With a Little Help from My Friends
    5. I am the Walrus
    6. She's Leaving Home
    7. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
    8. All You Need is Love
    9. Lovely Rita
    10. Getting Better
    11. Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!
    12. Fixing a Hole
    13. Fool on the Hill
    14. Baby, You're a Rich Man
    15. When I'm Sixty-four

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  3. I forgot to sign the list (again).

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    1. Now I see that my question in my previous comment is moot.

      As for Across the Universe - you're right, it was first recorded on February 1968, but was written in late 1967. Since Record Man, who posted his list first, decided to include it, I too followed suit. Since the final list we'll be producing will include the complete oeuvre of the Beatles, it doesn't really matter. However, for the compilation of the final list I will pick out the songs that appear in two lists or more, so, it's best that we all use the same rules. In short, you're right, but it's much easier now if we pretend that Across the Universe belongs to the 1967 list. If you like this song more than any of the ones that you included in your list, feel free to make the replacement.

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  4. In that case, I'll put "Across the Universe" at number nine (number 9, number 9) and that knocks "When I'm Sixty-four" clean off the list!

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    1. Duly noted, my friend! It seems that number nine (number 9, number 9) was Lennon's lucky number, since we have Revolution #9 as well as #9 Dream. It could have been the fact that he was born on October 9.

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    2. Here's your final list for 1967, AFHI:

      1. Strawberry Fields Forever
      2. Penny Lane
      3. A Day in the Life
      4. With a Little Help from My Friends
      5. I am the Walrus
      6. She's Leaving Home
      7. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
      8. All You Need is Love
      9. Across The Universe
      10. Lovely Rita
      11. Getting Better
      12. Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!
      13. Fixing a Holel
      14. Fool on the Hill
      15. Baby, You're a Rich Man

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  5. I'm embarrassed to have to admit I had no idea George Maharis is gay. Can't recall ever hearing this about him and believe me, as someone who crushed hard on him in the early 60s, I would've loved knowing this. I watched Route 66 just to ogle him and almost used him in our little homo poker game the other day. George Nader was also a youthful favorite, particularly his yummy shirtless scenes in the grade Z sci-fi movie Robot Monster. Memories...like the corners of my mind. Of course, GM's music sucks but staring at that gorgeous mug was probably all anyone who actually bought those records cared about. Okay, Teach Me Tonight ain't half bad but that's more about the song rather than his delivery.

    Also, sorry about the Across The Universe mix-up. Place it anywhere you all want.

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    1. Hey RM! No need to be sorry about Across The Universe. It's actually more suitable like this, because I actually like the song I would have to remove from the 1968-70 list (Back in the U.S.S.R.) more than I do the song that would take AtU's place in the 1967 list (When I'm Sixty-four). So we're all good! Anyway, the next step will be to merge all these lists to one, so it doesn't really matter in the long run.

      By the way, are you working on your own lists?

      Not only is Maharis gay, but there are also some very revealing pics of him available. I didn't post any here, because this is supposed to be a serious blog (yeah, right!). For more eye candy, go here: http://wizbangpop.com/2015/07/09/the-george-maharis-sex-scndals/

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  6. George Ma-heinie! The stories and all the evidence is out there, but I thought he had remained closeted. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

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  7. It doesn't seem to be included in the story but I hope, later in life, Maharis found steady, loving companionship with someone.

    By the time I was 19, there were at least gay bars; I can't imagine initiating a sexual liaison in a men's room. Nor did I ever have to stoop to truck stops and baths where you didn't even exchange names.

    How much worst could it have been in the more closeted 1950s & 60s? Even for a confident, handsome and sexy man like Maharis, looking for intimate connection in such milieus had to foster a little self-loathing. According to wiki, George is 88 these days, so he had to be a hell of a survivor. I salute you, sir, for having navigated such more unenlightened times. If today's young gay men think they've got it tough, they need to read your story.

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    1. Hey dvlaries, have a great week! Your observations are very astute. The cruising situation was complicated at the time, especially for closeted men, who didn't want to be recognized going in gay bars. Even more so if they were famous.

      My own experience says that in countries were people are more socially outgoing, special cruising places are not really necessary. I had a relatively good gaydar, so after the recognition I let eye-contact and facial expressions do the talking. When these were reciprocated, actual talking would follow. I too was never fond of "nameless" sex, but I can see its attraction for some people.

      I haven't found any info about a longtime partner for Maharis later in life, that's why it wasn't included in the story. My hope is the same as yours, though.

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  8. The arrest incident is alluded to in the TV show "Arrested Development". George Michael – annoyed at being named after a celebrity who was later arrested for sex in a public restroom, and rejecting the nickname "Boy George" for the same reason, pretends that his name is "George Maharis". (ahem) Meanwhile, the name of his cousin's boyfriend is Perfecto Telles: the hairdresser that the real Maharis was arrested with.

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    1. Thanks, Anonymous! I didn't know that - it goes to show that Maharis is still relevant in today's culture. A valuable bit of info!

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  9. Just watched EXODUS. Impressed with him in it - his presence and involved understanding of the role.

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    1. Hello, Mack! He was indeed great at Exodus, as well as another gay fave, Sal Mineo. Have a great day!

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  10. I am sure that George sang a song called after one kiss but cannot find it anywhere?

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    1. Hello, my friend! You are right, George did sing After One Kiss. It was the B-side to his 1962 single Baby Has Gone Bye Bye. The A-side is easily found, but I couldn't find the B-side either. So, if anyone has the single, why don't you post After One Kiss? It would be appreciated...

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  11. Like so many gay actors in the 1950's and 1960's the exposure of being 'uncloseted' was doom. The self-hate and the hateful treatment as a response to an actor's public exposure resulted in male actor's executing themself or the less extreme road to drug addiction and alcoholism and typically death.

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    1. Considering the circumstances, Maharis lived a long and happy life. Perhaps it was because he didn't care so much about being a superstar - he would rather live life in his own terms.

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  12. Had a huge crush on him as a teenager as many did. Sad it was a time in place where outed as gay could certainly ruin ones career. Hope he is healthy and well as we speak.


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  13. Still love and admire Mr. Maharis! Yes, hope he is well and happy pFineberg

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  14. By far the most handsome man in show business!

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  15. I was watching Maharis on YouTube in a 1970s TV show "Death to Sister Mary", thinking how I had always found him to be so handsome since I first saw him in the 1960s, when I stumbled across this page. I had no idea he was gay but I am increasingly finding a number of handsome actors from that period who turn out to be gay. It was very difficult for anyone in that era to admit to being gay since we were usually ridiculed or worse branded a criminal or pervert. How difficult it must have been for public figures. At least most countries are more tolerant now.

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    1. ~ Yes the 50's & 60's were a different environment. Richard Chamberland comes to mind. Fortunately the evolution of society has changed things ... πŸ‘

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  16. I fell in love with George Maharis when I was a teen watching Route 66. It was my favorite show. I had no idea he is gay nor do I care. He is beautiful to look at, a joy to listen to him sing, and shear pleasure to watch him act.
    I found Route 66 series on my Roku yesterday and started watching. I’m so excited to enjoy them once again. (I’m a 75 year old, Italian American lady that still has a crush on George.) God Bless you GM!🌹

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  17. I thought he was gorgeous too and had no idea he was gay. It has come as a shock to find Sal MIneo was gay
    Loved him in Rebel Without a Cause. I am a British Italian lady wont tell you how old buy I won't see 60+ again😊


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    1. You have excellent taste, madam. Thanks for your comment! 😊

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  18. ~ Wow! George is 92 ... I remember being fascinated with route66 actually filmed all across U.S. Was an adventure each Friday night. George left the show and that was it. Herbert Leonard goofed.

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  19. Lord how I loved that man. My room was plastered with his picturs and every night I played his albums till I fell asleep. It's great to know he is doing well. I will always love him and I want to thank him for making so many great movies and TV shows also his albums that I still have and play,what a voice he has. I love you George,thank you for all the memories.

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  20. Such great actors who are not recognized for whatever reasons and scandals. Michael Parks, James Stacy, Robert Blake and George. Hollywood didn't use them to there potential. Michael Parks proved himself in Kill Bill and Walrus and Red State, but passed by for years. James Stacy hurt in a motorcycle accident and they used him I think twice after that. Robert Blake that's another story. I watched George in anything, Route 66 my favorite. Route 66 being today on I believe Retro Channel. Love his speak up attitude in Route 66. That was the day of being Bullied in school and it was not recognized as it is today. He was my role model..to be brave... Great actor...still loved by this 68 girl.

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