What Is Gr Value In Loomian Legacy, Articles W

He elicited shrieks of delight from young female fans everywhere and parlayed that teen-idol fame into a gold record, Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb.. Byrnes died unexpectedly Wednesday at his Santa Monica home of natural . (Harold Filan/AP), Ann-Margret and Roger Smith cutting the cake on their wedding day in Las Vegas in 1967. When he wasnt piling up the Zs (that would be sleeping), the finger-snapping Kookie was running a comb through his wavy ducktail, and Byrnes became one of televisions first heartthrobs, in an Elvis kind of way. Kookie became a full-fledged detective and partner in the firm as of Season 4, taking over Rex Randolph's office in 104. Edd shared an impoverished and unhappy childhood with brother Vincent and sister Jo-Ann. mjk funeral home obituaries; san jose state university graduate programs deadlines Men umschalten. It was to be produced by Clint Eastwood and starred Jim Caviezel, Timothy Olyphant and Maria Bello. Despite the disease, Smith continued working when he was able as the effects of the disease varied over time. Several episodes into the season, Bailey's stern personality became lighter, though still different from that of prior seasons. is tatum o'neal still alive. In 1975, Merv Griffin signed Byrnes to host a new game show, and two half-hour pilots were filmed. Als u uw keuzes wilt aanpassen, klik dan op 'Privacyinstellingen beheren'. However, Byrnes chafed under a contract that cost him the chance of several roles in movies such as Oceans Eleven. He walked off the show in the second season, demanding a bigger part and better pay, and he didnt return until 1960, when Kookie had become a partner in the detective agency. Critics praised her performance and she was nominated for an Oscar for supporting actress. The cases of Hollywood private eyes, whose offices were located at 77 Sunset Strip. Sheila O'Brien, Erin's sister, told The Hollywood Reporter. The interior of Bailey's new office building is shown behind the show's opening and closing credits, forcing viewers to ponder how the same address could look so very different (it was actually the historic Bradbury building in downtown Los Angeles). I discovered that I had made an impact on the public but not on the 20 or so people who run the movie business, he told a reporter at the time. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Tom Sizemore, Saving Private Ryan actor, dies after brain aneurysm, David Lindley, guitarist best known for work with Jackson Browne, dies at 78, Wayne Shorter, influential jazz saxophonist and composer, dies at 89, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, Californias snowpack is approaching an all-time record, with more on the way, Harry Carey Jr., character actor in John Ford films, dies at 91, From the Archives: Novelist Ernest Hemingway Dies of Gun Wounds, Linda Tripp, who exposed Clinton-Lewinsky affair, dies, Linda Kasabian, Charles Manson follower who helped send him to prison, dies at 73, Burny Mattinson, animator who was Disneys longest-serving employee, dies at 87, Albie Pearson, an original Angels player known as the Littlest Angel, dies at 88, Walter Mirisch, former motion picture academy president and legendary producer, dies at 101, Search Obituaries & Guest Books on Legacy.com, Honor a loved one, place an obituary notice, Paul Berg, scientific firebrand who pioneered genetic engineering, dies, Barbara Bosson, Emmy-nominated actor known for Hill Street Blues role, dies at 83, Leiji Matsumoto, creator of classic space opera manga and anime, dies at 85, Richard Belzer, stand-up comic and sarcastic TV detective, dies at 78, Stella Stevens, The Nutty Professor actor, dies at 84 after Alzheimers battle, Tim McCarver, Cardinals World Series winner and Hall of Fame broadcaster, dies at 81. The show made Byrnes a teen idol who at the height of his popularity received 15,000 fan letters a week. On 77 Sunset Strip, Kookie parked cars at Dinos Lodge, a Hollywood nightclub that was owned by Dean Martin and served as a backdrop on the show. Tab Hunter claimed he was the first choice for the lead of the series, but turned it down. Max Baer started acting with a role in Goldilocks and the Three Bears at the Blackpool Pavilion in England in 1949. But when the time comes, she gets interested in another act or a new film or something that delays it. Played Wendy Wynne in "77 Sunset Strip" in 1958. Chris Brown, during his peak, was the most talented name in R&B. Roger Smith, a clean-cut and debonair Hollywood actor of the 1950s and 1960s who gained a wide following on the hit detective series 77 Sunset Strip and was the envy of generations of men as the husband of the bewitching actress and singer Ann-Margret, died June 4 at a Los Angeles hospital. Contributing: Robert Jablon, Associated Press, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. When he was 12 the family moved to Nogales, Ariz., where he excelled in the high school acting club and football team. Asa is still alive today at age 84. I knew he would protect me, she told Closer Weekly of Smith, adding that she knew she would marry him after their third date. Belonged to American nationality, he died on the 8th of January 2020 in Santa Monica. He drove out to Hollywood in his early 20's from his home of New York City. Read more 58 people found this helpful Top critical review All critical reviews Mr. John Atkinson Pirate DVDs 77 Sunset strip BEWARE! For the newspaper column character Dr. The show became the first "franchise" in television, spawning no less than three spinoffs recreating the "77" format, a team of private detectives, their secretary and sidekick, solving cases, in picturesque cities. When he wasnt making wisecracks, Gerald Lloyd Kookie Kookson III was lovingly combing his well-greased hairdo. [7] A 25-minute pilot presentation was shot for upfronts in the spring of 1995, but despite a few attempts to modify and finalize it for broadcast in 19951996, the project never made it past the testing stage. Being a famous actor is not nearly as satisfying as people think. Jack Webb was brought in as executive producer and William Conrad as a producer/director. Then, he dropped his last name in favor of Byrnes based on the name of his grandfather, Edward Byrne. He survived two serious illnesses to have a second career after 77 Sunset Strip as manager of his second wife, entertainer Ann-Margret. For years, West Hollywood has been known as a hub for the LGBT communities in Los Angeles. The handsome leading man retired from acting after. 77 Sunset Strip is an American television private detective drama series created by Roy Huggins and starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Roger Smith, Richard Long (from 1960 to 1961) and Edd Byrnes (billed as Edward Byrnes). Edward Byrne Breitenberger (July 30, 1932 - January 8, 2020), known professionally as Edd Byrnes, was an American actor, best known for his starring role in the television series 77 Sunset Strip. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. The marriage ended in divorce. The Kookie character became a cultural phenomenon, with his slang expressions such as "ginchy" (cool) and "piling up Zs" (sleeping). Kookie often becomes involved in the firm's cases and is eventually made a full partner in the firm, with his own office. He did some stage work and performed as a singer-guitarist at the hungry i in San Francisco, among other nightclubs, until NBC hired him in 1965 in the title role of Mister Roberts, a sitcom based on the Broadway and screen success that had starred Henry Fonda. But right now I still think its impossible to be married to a successful actress and have your own career and have the marriage work.. I'm glad you gave that car the life it deserves - a friend of mine has a Yaris for a long time, and we all loved that thing. Edd Byrnes, who gained fleeting fame as Kookie, the ultra-hip, wisecracking parking attendant on the jazzy 1950s-'60s ABC detective series '77 Sunset Strip,' has died. NBC liked it but insisted on another host, and so Chuck Woolery got the gig on Wheel of Fortune. In the three years since Smith died, the 79 year-old Ann-Margret has managed to recover her footing and move forward. But he had light brown hair color and blue eye color. . The show occasionally featured sports stars such as Sandy Koufax in guest roles. Edd Byrnes, an actor bestknown for his roles in 1978's "Grease" and the1950sseries "77 Sunset Strip," died Wednesday at his home in Santa Monica. You have to keep living and not sit at home and watch TV alone. Edd was known as a comedic sensation and gained much attention by playing Kookie, who had a habit of running his comb through his slick hair in 77 Sunset Strip. However, his parents information remains private, but he grew up with a brother Vincent and a sister, Jo-Ann. Lt. Gilmore 4 Episodes 2022. Edd Byrnes, star of the 1950s and '60s TV hit "77 Sunset Strip" who went on to co-star in the 1978 smash "Grease," has died, the actor's son, Logan Byrnes, confirmed Thursday via Facebook. Source: Hot Rod. Talking about his family, he was raised with two siblings J-Ann and Vincent. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. The divining rod showed no signs of movement till it approached the blood-stained weapon, when it began to oscillate. Suzanne Fabry, the beautiful French switchboard operator played by Jacqueline Beer, handles the phones for Sunset Answering Service, in Suite 103. Byrnes was married from 1962-71 to actress Asa Maynor (she played the stewardess in the famous Twilight Zone episode Nightmare at 20,000 Feet, starring William Shatner). Though Ann-Margret never had children of her own, Smiths children from a previous marriage are close to her and look after her. In 1958, he started playingthe handsome, smooth-talkingKookie onthe private-detective series "77 Sunset Strip." He worked steadily but never again achieved the fame of his Kookie years. Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones are good friends, too, an insider said. He moved to Hollywood from New York City in his 20s to forge a path in the entertainment industry. However he is sometimes used as an operative and is an ever-informed source for the word on the street. Was a taxi driver in the late 1940s and was fired for doing push-ups during his break. Byrnes, who was born Edward Byrne Breitenberger in New York City, came from a poor family. Besides Ann-Margret, survivors include three children from his marriage to Shaw. His character of Rex Randolph from Bourbon Street Beat was said to have left New Orleans and relocated to North Hollywood, joining Bailey and Spencer's firm and taking Office 104. By most accounts, the jive-talking hipster parking attendant Edd Byrnes stole the show as Kookie. Mr. Smith left the series in 1963, and it continued another year without him. Menu Movies Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight TV Shows The series and Bailey's personality took on a darker tone, and the familiar office, parking lot and Dino's Lodge were gone. Ed raps: 'Yo Jam, this is a letter to you. 77 Sunset Strip had been created by producer-writer Roy Huggins, who also created Maverick, and it spawned a host of spinoffs and knockoffs, including Hawaiian Eye, Surfside 6 and Bourbon Street Beat., Smith told the Los Angeles Times that the series aimed to show that private investigators were well-trained, serious men, and not the movie and TV stereotype with dangling cigarettes and large chips on their shoulders. He was chosen for the part because I dont look like a detective., But the show had its glamorous side, too. "It is with profound sadness and grief that I share with you the passing of my father Edd Byrnes," he wrote. After an absence of 16 episodes beginning in January 1960, Byrnes and Warner Bros. settled their differences, and Kookie came back beginning in May. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain a courteous and useful public environment! Designed & Developed by Precision Creations, Ann-Margret Opens Up About The Death Of Husband Of 50 Years - 'You Have To Keep Living'. At age 17 he was approached by a man who offered to take free "physique" photos of him. In addition to his son, survivors include his longtime partner, Cathrine. On every 30th of July, he celebrated his birthday and held the Leo zodiac sign. [6] In a twist of fate, the opposition to the redevelopment of the area was known as "Save Our Strip" or "SOS" and was spearheaded by former 77 Sunset Strip semiregular Gigi Verone. From 1958 to 1963, he co-starred with Efrem Zimbalist Jr. on the glossy ABC series. He was of one-quarter German and three-quarters Irish descent. At the very end I said to him, You were right.. After a year, Edd steps into Hollywood by appearing in Tea and Sympathy. Neighborhood: West Hollywood. Cagney recommended Smith for a role in Man of a Thousand Faces, the 1957 film biography of silent star Lon Chaney. In Season 6, gone are Roger Smith (Jeff) and Ed "Kookie" Byrnes, and the fun, easygoing tone of the office right on the strip. Edd Byrnes was born Edward Byrne Breitenberger on July 30, 1932 in New York City, the son of Mary (Byrne) and Augustus "Gus" Breitenberger. It is with profound sadness and grief that I share with you the passing of my father Edd Byrnes. Hannah 4 Episodes 2022. Youre not dead when you reach a certain age, she explained. As the title suggests, the episode presented its story completely without dialogue. His remains were cremated at Hollywood Forever Cemetery and his ashes were sprinkled into the Pacific Ocean. He managed to get a few minor parts in films and then won a role in a new TV series, 77 Sunset Strip (1958), which premiered in September 1958. At the peak of his popularity, Byrnes received more than 15,000 fan letters a week, exceeding the record that Warner Bros., the studio behind 77 Sunset Strip, had ever received for any star (yes, more than even Errol Flynn and James Cagney). With his attractive personality, he had made Asa Maynor fell in love with him. Also seen relatively frequently are the Frank Ortega Trio, playing themselves as the jazzy house band at Dino's Lodge. According to Logan, his father died due to natural causes at his Santa Monica home. Judith Rawlins has: Performed in "77 Sunset Strip" in 1958. (This episode was not included in the syndication package, and many fans had expressed their frustration at being unable to see it again. The firm of Bailey & Spencer employs her answering service, as do other clients. According to his 1996 autobiography, "Kookie No More", this led to a few years of "hustling" older, well-to-do men, despite the fact that Edd was heterosexual. With his square jaw, sturdy build and easy manner, Mr. Smith seemed in his prime to embody the all-American male at his most appealing. Later, he was cast in Murder, She Wrote, Kung Fu: The Legend Continues and Throb. COMMENT POLICY: We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, vulgarity, profanity, all caps, or discourteous behavior. Save Share. Official Sites. Being with her was more important than all my childhood dreams about being a famous actor., Adnan Khashoggi, Saudi arms merchant and world-class playboy, dies, Dina Merrill , actress and philanthropist of aristocratic poise, dies at 93, Roger Moore, suave actor who held James Bond role the longest, dies at 89. He rejoined 77 Sunset Strip after recovering and continued in his role as Jeff Spencer until 1963 when the entire cast except Zimbalist was dropped in anattempt to revitalize it. 'Since we last spoke, I've become a father of two, trying to live life with a . Smith served 2 years in the Navy Reserve, and in Hawaii he sang at social events. All Rights Reserved. The character of detective Stuart Bailey was first used by writer Huggins in his 1946 novel The Double Take, later adapted into the 1948 film I Love Trouble. Though she misses Smith every minute of every day, Ann-Margret is determined to not let this stop her from living life. He was an amazing man and one of my best friends. A GEEZER who remembers watching TV in 1951 and was an Echostar customer from 1988 to 2008, now a Dish . The show was so popular that rising young actors clamored for guest spots. , actress and philanthropist of aristocratic poise, dies at 93. As the season progressed, there were some shifts in tone. dinky-4 of Minneapolis, Other Works She was nominated again in 1975 for her portrayal of Roger Daltreys mother in the film version of the Whos rock opera Tommy.. For his work on the show, TV Guideranked Byrnes fifth on their list of "TV's 25 Greatest Teen Idols. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in May 1959. [5] In the 1964 summer reruns period, shows from the Bailey and Spencer years were shown, and the Season 6 episodes were abandoned, rarely seen until September 2017 on MeTV. In July 2002 he was a guest at the Western Film Fair in Charlotte, NC, along with. In its Encyclopedia of Television, the Museum of Broadcast Communications said the show revived the crime drama and became the epicenter of hipness on television, a sun-drenched world of cocktails, cool jazz and convertibles., Then Smith was hospitalized after falling down at home and losing consciousness. [citation needed], The show was referenced in an episode of Jay Ward's Fractured Flickers, showing a satirical depiction of Ward looking at a lineup of fictional shows, one of them being "77 Gaza Strip.". 77 Sunset Strip star Edd Byrnes died at 87 on Wednesday of natural causes at his home in Santa Monica. At one point, Byrnes walked off the show and retreated into a heavy drinking period. Edd Byrnes, who gained fleeting fame as Kookie, the ultra-hip, wisecracking parking attendant on the jazzy 1950s-60s ABC detective series 77 Sunset Strip, has died. . Producers, directors, writers and aspiring actors call this area home. Although not technically an employee of the firm, Suzanne is involved in casework from time to time, especially in Season 2. Jack Gilardi, who is the agent of Smiths widow, actress Ann-Margret, said the actor died Sunday morning at a Los Angeles hospital after battling a terminal illness. Edd Byrnes, who became famous acting in movies like "Grease" and iconic TV shows like "77 Sunset Strip" is dead. Hale is seen throughout Seasons 4 and 5. Gerald `Kookie' Lloyd Kookson III 44 Episodes 2022. Time has a habit of getting away from you. In 1963, as the show's popularity waned, the entire cast was dismissed except for Zimbalist. Roger Smith Art Zelin/Getty Images. February 27, 2023 By scottish gaelic translator By scottish gaelic translator As of episode "Alimony League" (the 16th of the season's 20 episodes), the opening and closing background of Bradbury building was gone, replaced by Bailey in silhouette walking past lighted store windows. Edd Byrnes (born July 30, 1933) is an American actor best known for his starring role in the television series 77 Sunset Strip. The episode "The Target" was unusual because key roles were played by the show's primary behind-the-scenes crew, who happened to also be experienced actors. Edit Details It made stars of both men and a teen heartthrob out of Edd Byrnes, who played a colorful parking lot attendant named Kookie. Robert Logan. Still pursuing acting, in 1955 he drove to Los Angeles with a few hundred dollars and a dream of making it big in the entertainment business, his son wrote. The character of detective Stuart Bailey was first used by writer Huggins in his 1946 . Cagney, who was there making a film, suggested that Smith might try for a film career. Byrnes also played parts on"Charlie's Angels," "Fantasy Island," "Murder, She Wrote" and "The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries." She broke her sex kitten stereotype in dramatic fashion in 1971 when she appeared in Mike Nichols Carnal Knowledge as the abused mistress of Jack Nicholson. Stay tuned! In 1982, he succeeded in going "clean and sober" but never remarried. He was 87. In addition, Mr. Smith produced several of her high-profile TV specials as well as a feature film he wrote, C.C. He was married to actress Asa Maynor from 1962 to 1971. Huggins intended the show to be a hard-edged drama, but beginning with the 23rd episode, The Pasadena Caper, the tone started to become much lighter, with a strong element of self-deprecating humor and the word "caper" frequently used in episode titles. Jack Gilardi, who is the agent of Smith's widow, actress. In the 1978 movie Grease, he played the character of Dick Clark. | Only a few hundred dollars in his pocket and an . However it is good to know Edd Byrnes is still alive. Edd Byrnes. When Byrnes' demands for more money and an expanded role were not met, he left the show for a period in Season 2. Now in Roger Ive found all the men I need rolled into one a father, a friend, a lover, a manager, a businessman, she told writer Rex Reed in 1972. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. It is with profound sadness and grief that I share with you the passing of my father Edd Byrnes. Viewers quoted his dialog, ("Baby, you're the ginchiest! He was 86. Also available in the iTunes Store. Edd began his acting career at a non-paid job in a summer stock theatre company in 1956. I can't even imagine the day I finally send it into the sunset. Als u niet wilt dat wij en onze partners cookies en persoonsgegevens voor deze aanvullende doeleinden gebruiken, klik dan op 'Alles weigeren'. bob dylan's achievement 201 i fought the law in bloomberg's new york 211 for patriot dreams . 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in May 1959. Viewers did not appreciate the numerous changes to the show, and it was canceled halfway through its sixth season in February 1964. Another offbeat entry was 1961's "Reserved for Mr. Bailey," which finds Zimbalist alone in a ghost town. There is no 77 Sunset Strip, all addresses on Sunset Strip have four digits. Their son, Logan, was born on September 13, 1965. His fan mail soon reached an astonishing 15,000 letters a week and his single with Connie Stevens, "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb", became a top-5 hit. You have to participate., Soon after Smiths death, Ann-Margrets longtime friend Alan Alda invited her to guest star on his series The Kominsky Method., He said, Youve got to get back to work! she recalled. You carry their spirit with you.. He won a shelf full of talent prizes while attending the University of Arizona in Tucson and was working as a singer when he was called up to Navy duty. Roger Smith, the star of the 1950s series "77 Sunset Strip" and husband to actress Ann-Margret, has died. It lasted from 1965-66. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Established film and TV actors and older stars who guest-starred include Fay Wray, Francis X. Bushman, Rodolfo Hoyos Jr., Ida Lupino, Liliane Montevecchi, Keenan Wynn, Rolfe Sedan, Jim Backus, Billie Burke, Buddy Ebsen, George Jessel, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff, Burgess Meredith, Nick Adams, Gerald Mohr and Roy Roberts, among others. The office and bar/nightclub sets of 77 Sunset Strip and Hawaiian Eye were on the same WB soundstage, intertwined to save space, with shared room walls and some doors actually going between the sets (not obvious to viewers). Please see the press release attached. [citation needed] Some of the detectives, played by the same actors, became regulars in other series after their original series had been cancelled. 271.9M . You are here: Home / is tatum o'neal still alive is tatum o'neal still alive. Before his death, Edd Byrness net worth was estimated at $4 million. Im going to be the best 85-year-old I can be.. Still unsatisfied, the four bills were exhumed and concealed anew. When I met Ann-Margret, I felt happy for the first time in my life. The hip-talking, hair-combing image clung to him, however, and Edd felt he lost the lead in PT 109 (1963) because President John F. Kennedy didn't want to be played by "Kookie". Smith later quit to manage her career. Edd "Kookie" Byrnes, the 77 Sunset Strip actor whose wavy hair and penchant for combing it made him an early TV teen idol, died Thursday of natural causes at his Santa Monica home, according. Byrnes died on January 8, 2020, aged 87, in Santa Monica, California. The song became the centerpiece of an album of the show's music in Warren Barker orchestrations, which was released in 1959, a top-10 hit in the Billboard LP charts. He also appeared in such films as Reform School Girl (1957), Darbys Rangers (1958), Marjorie Morningstar (1958), Life Begins at 17 (1958), Up Periscope (1959), Yellowstone Kelly (1959), Beach Ball (1965), Michael Apteds Stardust (1974) and Troop Beverly Hills (1989) and on TV shows including Cheyenne, Maverick, Honey West, Mannix, Police Woman, Charlies Angels, Fantasy Island and Murder, She Wrote. (Part 2 of 2) Title: . | He twice worked with Cagney, taking supporting roles in Man of a Thousand Faces (1957), a biopic of silent-film actor Lon Chaney, and Never Steal Anything Small (1959), a musical comedy crime caper. "I knew he would protect me," she told Closer Weekly of Smith, adding that she knew she would marry him after their third date. [1], The street address was colloquially known as the Sunset Strip and was between La Cienega Boulevard and Alta Loma Road on the south side of the strip, next door to Dean Martin's real-life lounge, Dino's Lodge. Up-and-comers who made guest appearances include: Ellen Burstyn, Roger Moore, DeForest Kelley, William Shatner, Mary Tyler Moore, Shirley MacLaine look-alike Gigi Verone, Robert Conrad, Dyan Cannon, Janet De Gore, Jay North, Connie Stevens, Irish McCalla, Adam West, Tuesday Weld, Sherry Jackson, Marlo Thomas, Max Baer Jr., Carole Mathews, Elizabeth Montgomery, Karen Steele, Randy Stuart, Susan Oliver, Robert Vaughn, Suzanne Storrs, Peter Breck, Donna Douglas, Troy Donahue, Chad Everett, Gena Rowlands, Cloris Leachman, Eve McVeagh, and Diane Ladd. It was the genesis of the same concepts that drive Law & Order, NCIS, CSI and the Chicago PD/Chicago Med/Chicago Fire series as well as 9-1-1. 1959 Warner Records Inc., manufactured and marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. (During his absence, Roscoe's and Suzanne's roles were beefed up to handle the work normally assigned to Kookie.). Early mentions of the show were made in the network's fall affiliate presentation promotion, with the 77 Sunset Strip logo visible in the movie backlot motif. When Kookie helped the detectives on a case by singing a song, Edd Byrnes began a singing career with the novelty single "Kookie, Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb)", based on his frequent combing of his hair; this featured Connie Stevens on vocals in the chorus and the song, with words and music by Irving Taylor, became the first hit single for the recently established Warner Bros. Records. After a debilitating illness ended his days as an actor, he managed his wife's career. The 1950s show was filmed entirely on the Warner Brothers lot, but the opening 30-second sequence was filmed in front of Dino's Lodge, located at 8524 Sunset Boulevard. Shes still great friends with Rita Moreno, Morgan Freeman and other actors shes known for years. At age 22, he set out for Los Angeles, arriving in September 1955, one day after James Dean died in a car crash. Each episode was one hour long when aired with commercials. In his personal life, Byrnes struggled with alcohol and drug addictions for years before managing to kick them. The casts and scripts of these various shows sometimes crossed over, which was logistically easy, since they were all shot in Burbank on the Warner Bros.