George Maharis, best known for his role as Buz Murdock on the hit TV series Route 66, passed away on May 24 – though early reports suggested he died on May 25 – after a 60-year battle with hepatitis. He was never married and never had any children, but he is survived by his brother and sister.
“George Maharis passed away on Wednesday, May 25. George is well known for his stardom in route 66, stage productions, singing, artist, and above all a great guy would do anything for anyone. My dear friend, you’ll be terribly missed,” Marc Bahan – Maharis’ longtime friend and caretaker – wrote on Facebook.

Maharis began his acting career in 1953 and appeared in various films, sitcoms, and television series over the next seven years – including Naked City in 1959. He was cast in Route 66, a spin-off series of Naked City, the following year (1960) and starred in the show’s first three seasons before leaving in 1963.