Martin Milner

Born in Detroit, Michigan, and raised in Seattle, Washington, Martin Milner was a film and television actor best known for his roles in the popular TV series "Adam-12" (NBC 1968-1975) and "Route 66" (CBS 1960-64). Milner's parents, who both worked in the film industry, encouraged his acting ambitions from a young age. After relocating to Los Angeles when he was 14, Milner began taking acting lessons and made his film debut in the drama "Life With Father" (1947). After he graduated from high school, he appeared in such films as "Sands of Iwo Jima" (1949) and "Our Very Own" (1950), and in 1950 he landed a recurring role on the comedy series "The Stu Erwin Show" (ABC 1950-55) while also working on the radio serial "Dragnet." In 1952 he was drafted into the United States Army and he spent his time entertaining soldiers and directing military films. Upon leaving the Army, Milner landed roles in numerous films and TV series, including "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral" (1957) and the TV version of "Dragnet" (NBC 1951-59). In 1960 he landed a high-profile role in the series "Route 66," in which he and co-star George Maharis drove around the country in a Corvette, getting into adventures along the way. Milner next appeared in such TV series as "Felony Squad" (ABC 1966-69) and "Run For Your Life" (NBC 1965-68). In 1968 he was cast as Officer Pete Malloy in the police drama "Adam-12," a procedural produced by "Dragnet" creator Jack Webb. After leaving the show in 1975, Milner landed his final lead role as Karl Robinson in the family adventure series "Swiss Family Robinson" (ABC 1975-76). He also appeared in numerous TV guest roles until his retirement in the late 1990s. Martin Milner died at his home in Carlsbad, California on September 6, 2015. He was 83.