Edd Byrnes passes away at the age of 87
KUSI News is sad to announce that Logan Byrnes’ father, Edd Byrnes, has passed away unexpectedly at the age of 87.
Edd Byrnes, an American actor who rose to stardom in the popular television series “77 Sunset Strip,” died unexpectedly Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 at his home in Santa Monica, California of natural causes at the age of 87. His is the story of an ambitious young kid who in his early 20’s, drove out to Hollywood from New York City with a few hundred dollars and a dream of making it big in the entertainment business. He soon landed a staring role on the wildly successful and groundbreaking TV series “77 Sunset Strip” as the cool talking “Kookie.” He went on to star in dozens of motion pictures and television series popular around the world, including playing the suave and debonaire “Vince Fontaine” in “Grease.”
As a tribute to his enduring celebrity and his iconic “Kookie” character, he ranked number 5 in TV Guide’s list of “TV’s 25 Greatest Teen Idols.” He also earned a gold record for the song “Kookie Kookie Lend Me Your Comb.”
Some of Edd’s other movie and television credits include: The Secret Invasion, Stardust, Yellowstone Kelly, Troop Beverly Hills, Charlies Angels, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Maverick, Cheyenne, Surfside 6, Murder She Wrote, and Married With Children.
Edd leaves behind his son Logan Byrnes, KUSI’s evening news anchor in San Diego California, his former wife Asa Maynor, long time partner Cathrine Gross, and their beloved maltipoo Marlowe.
