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Edd Byrnes
 | Birth : 30 July 1933, New York, New York, USA Birth Name: Edward Breitenberger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Born Edward Byrne Breitenberger in New York City on July 30, 1933, Edd shared an impoverished and unhappy childhood with brother Vincent and sister Jo-Ann. Their mother worked hard at various jobs to keep the family together because her alcoholic husband was often absent from the scene. When Edd was 13, his father was found dead in a basement. Edd then dropped his last name in favor of "Byrnes" based on the name of his maternal grandfather, a New York City fireman. Edd found escape from family problems at the movies and at the gym, where he developed an athletic body. At age 17 he was approached by a man who offered to take free "physique" photos of him. According to Edd's 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. One of these men acted as Edd's mentor, introducing him to fashion and culture and encouraging his hopes for an acting career.
After doing some summer-stock work and a few bit parts on TV, Edd drove to California in 1955, arriving in Los Angeles on the day James Dean died in a car crash. He managed to get a few minor parts in the movies and then won a role in a new TV series called "77 Sunset Strip" (1958) which premiered in September of 1958. Efrem Zimbalist Jr. and Roger Smith starred as private eyes but Edd, playing a hip-talking parking-lot attendant named "Kookie", won the most attention. Viewers quoted his dialog, ("Baby, you're the ginchiest!"), and young males imitated the way he wielded his ever-present comb. 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. Edd chafed, however, at the restrictions in his Warner Brothers contract which forced him to turn down roles in Ocean's Eleven (1960), North to Alaska (1960) and Rio Bravo (1959)_. He walked off the "77 Sunset Strip" (1958) set and in the ensuing months began to drink heavily and to visit a psychiatrist who administered drugs to him. His contract dispute was eventually settled, though not much to his advantage, and when he returned to "77 Sunset Strip" (1977) , his role was upgraded from "side-kick" to "partner" and he wore a suit and tie. Audience reaction was not good, ratings dropped, and the show was canceled. The hip-talking, hair-combing image clung to him, however, and Edd felt he lost the lead in PT 109 (1963) because JFK didn't want to be played by "Kookie." A few more movies and TV appearances followed, but his career had passed its peak before he turned 30.
In 1962 he married long-time girlfriend, Asa Maynor. Their son, Logan, was born on September 13, 1965. Edd and Asa's marriage ended in divorce in 1971, partially because of his reliance on drugs and alcohol. In 1982, he succeeded in going "clean and sober." He never remarried, remains proud of his son, and has come to terms with his role as television's first teen idol.
Youtube videos may be related Edd Byrnes | |
 | 77 Sunset Strip (1958) A clip from the second episode of the series. Kookie (Edd Byrnes) and Stuart Bailey (Efrem Zimbalist, Jr) at one of their usual cool briefings. |
 | Edd Byrnes & Connie Stevens - Kookie Kookie Kookie Kookie (lend me your comb) |
 | Grease (1978) My View A musical about teens in love in the 50's! It's California, 1959 and greaser Danny Zuko and Australian Sandy Olsson are in love. They spend time at the beach, but when they go back |
 | Kookie Swings Edd "Kookie" Byrnes of 77 Sunset Strip teaches the Parisian kids how to swing. |
 | Al Bundy, Anthrax & 'Kookie' Byrnes the band Anthrax and Edd 'Kookie' Byrnes - Married with Children season 6, episode: My Dinner with Anthrax |
 | Joanie Sommers - Johnny Get Angry Joanie Sommers (born Joan Drost on 24 February 1941) is an American singer and actress. Born in Buffalo, New York, she began using Sommers because she did not think Drost was good |
 | Juvenile Delinquent- Reform School Girl-1957 Juvenile Delinquent: REFORM SCHOOL GIRL ( 1957) "Thrill-Crazy! Speed-Crazy! Mad-At-The-World Crazy! Changing a nice kid into... REFORM SCHOOL GIRL!" "The Shocking True Story of Del |
 | Clip from The Alfred Hitchcock Hour episode Final Escape SPOILER: ENDING REVEALED Clip from The Alfred Hitchcock Hour episode titled "Final Escape". Originally aired on February 21, 1964: John Perry (Edd Byrnes) plans to escape from p |
 | Remington Straightener 1970's - Old Time Commercial Here's Edd Byrnes, years after his 77 Sunset Strip days, for Remington Mist-Air Hot Comb. Borat father using a styler! |
 | Kookie, Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb) Yes, it's all on purpose, and no, it doesn't mean anything. |
