---
name: "Efrem Zimbalist Jr."
canonical: "https://film.one/person/efrem-zimbalist-jr"
fi1m_id: "efrem-zimbalist-jr"
imdb_id: "nm0956544"
tmdb_id: 34981
wikidata_id: "Q531718"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "30 November 1918"
died: "2 May 2014"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 2
average_fi1m_score: 76
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 2
updated: "2026-10-04T21:36:31.966714+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

## Identity

Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/efrem-zimbalist-jr
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** efrem-zimbalist-jr
- **IMDb ID:** nm0956544
- **TMDB ID:** 34981
- **Wikidata ID:** Q531718
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efrem_Zimbalist_Jr., https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q531718, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0956544/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/34981

Actor. Born 30 November 1918 in New York City, New York, USA. Died 2 May 2014.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 30 November 1918, New York City, New York, USA
- **Died:** 2 May 2014
- **Active:** 1991–1993
- **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 2 titles
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efrem_Zimbalist_Jr., https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q531718, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0956544/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/34981

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*Batman: Mask of the Phantasm*](https://film.one/film/batman-mask-of-the-phantasm.md) (82)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

> Efrem Zimbalist Jr. brought a smooth baritone and a refined manner to men accustomed to being listened to. We like him best when that composure allows affection or comedy through; solemn authority could make him rather colourless.

Alfred in *Batman: Mask of the Phantasm* (1993) is a good use for Efrem Zimbalist Jr.'s smooth baritone. His refined manner gives the butler a steadiness that suits this small, sad detective story. We were moved by its interest in Bruce Wayne himself, rather than simply what he does as Batman. Zimbalist's unshowy delivery belongs in a film prepared to pay that kind of attention. He does not need to make Alfred more conspicuous to make him worth listening to.

That composure had carried him through *77 Sunset Strip* (1958–1964), as private detective Stuart Bailey opposite Roger Smith, and *The F.B.I.* (1965–1974), as Inspector Lewis Erskine. Bailey's job often included being the straight man to more flamboyant company; in Quinn Martin's *The F.B.I.*, the restraint could become the whole performance. Zimbalist made professional competence easy to believe, a useful quality when a programme expected audiences to return each week. The limitation was a man so buttoned-down that there was sometimes little personality left to meet. We prefer him when somebody is allowed to disturb the composure.

*Hot Shots* (1991) gives his suave image something less solemn to do, casting him as Wilson in Jim Abrahams's military spoof. Charlie Sheen's solemn stupidity supplies the strongest laughs, and we would not mistake Zimbalist's presence for the film's main attraction. But using his polish for parody is a sensible piece of casting: an actor practised at sounding respectable brings something for the comedy to work against. The uneven jokes and shortage of warmth keep our recommendation modest, though the film passes pleasantly enough.

Voice work gave that manner a longer second use, with Alfred in *Batman: The Animated Series* (1992) and related productions becoming a defining part of his later work. These supporting parts placed different demands on an actor long accustomed to leading television programmes. His refinement remained useful, without having to sustain an entire programme's idea of how a professional should behave. Start with *Mask of the Phantasm*, and allow for animation that is sometimes stiff despite the handsome drawing.

## Biography

Efrem Zimbalist Jr. (30 November 1918 – 2 May 2014) was an American actor. He was born in New York City, the son of violinist Efrem Zimbalist and soprano Alma Gluck. He trained briefly at the Yale School of Drama and the Neighborhood Playhouse, and served in the US Army during the Second World War, receiving the Purple Heart.

Zimbalist starred as private investigator Stuart Bailey in the television series *77 Sunset Strip* (1958–1964) and as Inspector Lewis Erskine in *The F.B.I.* (1965–1974). He also appeared as Dandy Jim Buckley in *Maverick*. His film roles include Sam Hendrix in *Wait Until Dark* (1967).

Later in his career he provided the voice of Alfred Pennyworth in *Batman: The Animated Series* (1992–1995) and related projects, including the film *Batman: Mask of the Phantasm* (1993), as well as Doctor Octopus in the 1990s *Spider-Man* animated series.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, dc.fandom.com.*

## On Fi1m (2)

- *Batman: Mask of the Phantasm* (1993), Fi1m 82, as Alfred (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/batman-mask-of-the-phantasm.md)
- *Hot Shots!* (1991), Fi1m 70, as Wilson — [page](https://film.one/film/hot-shots.md)

## Complete filmography (84)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Justice League: Starcrossed - The Movie* (2004), as Alfred (voice)
- *Spider-Man vs. Doc Ock* (2004), as Otto Octavius / Doctor Octopus / Butler (voice)
- *Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman* (2003), as Alfred (voice)
- *Spider-Man: The Ultimate Villain Showdown* (2002), as Doctor Octopus (voice)
- *Batman: The Animated Series - The Legend Begins* (2002), as Alfred Pennyworth (voice) (archive footage)
- *Justice League* (2001), series, as Alfred Pennyworth (voice)
- *Static Shock* (2000), series, as Alfred Pennyworth (voice)
- *Television: The First Fifty Years* (1999), as Stuart Bailey (archive footage)
- *Cab to Canada* (1998), as Vice Chancellor
- *Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero* (1998), as Alfred Pennyworth (voice)
- *The Batman/Superman Movie: World's Finest* (1997), as Alfred (voice)
- *The Visitor* (1997), series, as Wayland Scott
- *The New Batman Adventures* (1997), series, as Alfred (voice)
- *101 Dalmatians: The Series* (1997), series, Actor
- *Superman: The Animated Series* (1996), series, as Alfred Pennyworth (voice)
- *Turbocharged Thunderbirds* (1994), series, as Jeff Tracy (voice)
- *Spider-Man* (1994), series, as Otto Octavius / Doctor Octopus (voice), Doctor Octopus (voice)
- *Gargoyles* (1994), series, as Mace Malone (voice)
- *Iron Man* (1994), series, as Justin Hammer (voice)
- *One West Waikiki* (1994), series, Actor
- *Babylon 5* (1994), series, as William Edgars — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/babylon-5.md)
- *Burke's Law* (1994), series, as Sam Gallagher
- *Batman: Mask of the Phantasm* (1993), as Alfred (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/batman-mask-of-the-phantasm.md)
- *The Nanny* (1993), series, as Theodore Timmons
- *Picket Fences* (1992), series, as Hal Klosterman / Lester Blodgett
- *Batman: The Animated Series* (1992), series, as Alfred (voice)
- *The Legend of Prince Valiant* (1991), series, as King Arthur (voice)
- *Hot Shots!* (1991), as Wilson — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/hot-shots.md)
- *Zorro* (1990), series, as Don Alejandro de la Vega
- *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Marcus Havermeyer, Richard Thompson Grant, Adam Quatrain
- *Partners in Crime* (1984), series, as Grant Latham
- *Cover Up* (1984), series, Actor
- *Finder of Lost Loves* (1984), series, as Alex Hale
- *Who's the Boss?* (1984), series, Actor
- *Hunter* (1984), series, as Clarence Hyland
- *Hardcastle and McCormick* (1983), series, as Emmett Parnell
- *Shooting Stars* (1983), as Robert Cluso
- *Baby Sister* (1983), as Tom Burroughs
- *Charley's Aunt* (1983), as Colonel Francis Chesney
- *Remington Steele* (1982), series, as Daniel Chalmers
- *The Tempest* (1982), as Prospero
- *Hotel* (1982), series, as Charles Cabot
- *Beyond Witch Mountain* (1982), as Aristotle
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Colonel Francis Chesney
- *The Avenging* (1982), as Jacob Anderson
- *Scruples* (1980), series, as Ellis Ikehorn
- *The Gathering, Part II* (1979), as Victor Wainwright
- *The Best Place to Be* (1979), as Bill Reardon
- *Terror Out of the Sky* (1978), as David Martin
- *Challenge of the Super Friends* (1978), series, Actor
- *A Family Upside Down* (1978), as Mike Long
- *The Love Boat* (1977), series, as Senator Dan Whitman
- *Who Is the Black Dahlia?* (1975), as Harry Hansen
- *Airport 1975* (1974), as Captain Stacy
- *Season in Tyrol* (1969), as Narrator (voice)
- *Wait Until Dark* (1967), as Sam Hendrix
- *The F.B.I.* (1965), series, as Lewis Erskine
- *The Reward* (1965), as Frank Bryant
- *Harlow* (1965), as William Mansfield
- *The Chapman Report* (1962), as Paul Radford
- *The Alfred Hitchcock Hour* (1962), series, as Stranger
- *By Love Possessed* (1961), as Arthur Winner
- *A Fever in the Blood* (1961), as Judge Leland Hoffman
- *Insight* (1960), series, Actor
- *The Crowded Sky* (1960), as Dale Heath
- *Hawaiian Eye* (1959), series, as Stuart Bailey
- *The Alaskans* (1959), series, Actor
- *Rawhide* (1959), series, as Jeff McKeever
- *Home Before Dark* (1958), as Jacob 'Jake' Diamond
- *77 Sunset Strip* (1958), series, as Stuart Bailey
- *Girl on the Run* (1958), as Stuart Bailey
- *Bronco* (1958), series, Actor
- *Violent Road* (1958), as George Lawrence
- *Too Much, Too Soon* (1958), as Vincent Bryant
- *The Deep Six* (1958), as Lt. Blanchard
- *Bombers B-52* (1957), as Col. Jim Herlihy
- *Maverick* (1957), series, as Dandy Jim Buckley
- *Sugarfoot* (1957), series, as Kerrigan the Great
- *Band of Angels* (1957), as Lt. Ethan Sears
- *Conflict* (1956), series, Actor
- *The Phil Silvers Show* (1955), series, as Musician (uncredited)
- *The Wonderful World of Disney* (1954), series, as Aristotle Bolt
- *Concerning Miss Marlowe* (1954), series, Actor
- *House of Strangers* (1949), as Tony Monetti

## Gallery

- ![Efrem Zimbalist Jr.](https://film.one/media/person/93012/gallery-b23edfe69953.jpg) Efrem Zimbalist Jr. — United States Steel Corporation (The company sponsored television programs, the U. S. Steel Hour was among them.), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Efrem_Zimbalist_Jr.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Photo of Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. from the 1971 season premiere of the television program The FBI.](https://film.one/media/person/93012/gallery-882337851319.jpg) Photo of Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. from the 1971 season premiere of the television program The FBI. — ABC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Efrem_Zimbalist_Jr._1971.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Publicity photo of Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. (1972)](https://film.one/media/person/93012/gallery-22c0515a6388.jpg) Publicity photo of Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. (1972) — ABC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/Efrem_Zimbalist_Jr._1972.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Photo of Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. as Stu Bailey from the television program 77 Sunset Strip. (1963)](https://film.one/media/person/93012/gallery-2910df0e3edf.jpg) Photo of Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. as Stu Bailey from the television program 77 Sunset Strip. (1963) — ABC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2a/Efrem_Zimbalist%2C_Jr._77_Sunset_Strip_1963.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Efrem Zimbalist Jr.](https://film.one/media/person/93012/gallery-e2365ca8ac8b.jpg) Efrem Zimbalist Jr. — Image via TMDB
- ![Efrem Zimbalist Jr.](https://film.one/media/person/93012/gallery-dbf64d0fdfd2.jpg) Efrem Zimbalist Jr. — Image via TMDB
- ![Efrem Zimbalist Jr.](https://film.one/media/person/93012/gallery-4aa23b57faf2.jpg) Efrem Zimbalist Jr. — Image via TMDB
- ![Publicity photo of Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. as Lewis Erskine from the television program The F.B.I..](https://film.one/media/person/93012/gallery-6b6802fbd5c0.jpg) Publicity photo of Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. as Lewis Erskine from the television program The F.B.I.. — ABC Television-ABC Photo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/Efrem_Zimbalist%2C_Jr._Lewis_Erskine_The_FBI.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Photo of Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. as Lewis Erskine, displaying his FBI credentials from the television program The FBI. (1969)](https://film.one/media/person/93012/gallery-d84ed806e4a3.jpg) Photo of Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. as Lewis Erskine, displaying his FBI credentials from the television program The FBI. (1969) — ABC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e6/Efrem_Zimbalist_Jr._Lewis_Erskine_displays_FBI_credentials_1969.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/efrem-zimbalist-jr