Vale: Edd Byrnes

Veteran US star Edd Byrnes, best known for 77 Sunset Strip and Grease, has died, aged 87.

He died at his home in California.

Byrnes became a comedic sensation as the co-star of detective drama 77 Sunset Strip, which ran from 1958-1963.

The series starred Efrem Zimbalist Jr. while Byrnes played a parking lot attendant with a habit of running his comb through his slick hair. His character, Gerald Kookson III, arguably became more popular than the leads, and introduced a host of early ’60s slang to television. His striking good looks made him an instant hit with the teenagers of the late 1950s, culminating in a gold record with actress Connie Stevens, “Kookie, Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb).”

Edd Byrnes, David Lyle

His other TV credits included Hawaiian Eye, Surfside 6, Maverick, Burke’s Law, Honey West, Mannix, Love, American Style, Adam-12, Marcus Welby, M.D., Police Woman, The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, Charlie’s Angels, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Married With Children and Murder, She Wrote, among many others.

In 1978 he played radio announcer Vince Fontaine in Grease, alongside John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.

Source: Variety