In the first three seasons of the TV show Route 66, George Maharis (September 1, 1928 – May 24, 2023) played Buz Murdock. He was an American actor, singer, and artist. When he was at the height of his career, Maharis also released a number of pop music albums and went on to feature in the TV show The Most Deadly Game.
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Why was George Maharis replaced on Route 66?
George Maharis was replaced on Route 66 in 1963 after contracting hepatitis. He was hospitalized for a month and missed several episodes.
The show’s producers were concerned about his health and decided to replace him with Glenn Corbett. Maharis has said that he left the show because of the long hours and gruelling conditions while shooting on location. He also said that he wanted to pursue other opportunities.
There have been some rumours that Maharis was actually fired from the show because of his sexuality. However, there is no evidence to support this claim. The show’s producers have always denied that Maharis was fired for any reason other than his health.
Whatever the reason for his departure, Maharis’s exit from Route 66 was a major blow to the show. The chemistry between Maharis and his co-star, Martin Milner, was one of the show’s biggest strengths. Without Maharis, the show lost its spark and was eventually cancelled in 1964.
