VINCE EDWARDS
Name: Vince Edwards
Born: 9 July 1928 Brooklyn, New York
Died: 11 March 1996 Los Angeles, California
Vince Edwards (July 9, 1928 - March 11, 1996) was an American actor, director,
and singer, best known for the role of TV doctor "Ben Casey".
Edwards was born Vincent Edward Zoino III in Brooklyn, New York, the son of
Julia and Vincento Zoino (a bricklayer), immigrants from Italy. He had a twin
sister and was the youngest of seven children. He was a standout on his high
school swim team and went on to study at Ohio State University on an athletic
scholarship. There, he was part of the university's swim team that won the
United States National Championships. He had a twin brother, not a twin sister.
Zoino studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and in 1950, he
was signed to a contract by Paramount Pictures, making his film debut as "Vince
Edwards" in 1951's "Mr. Universe." Although he had major or lead roles in
several films, including the 1958 film noir, Murder by Contract, it was not
until he starred as the title character on the highly successful Ben Casey
television series that he achieved a real level of stardom. The medical drama
show, which he occasionally directed, ran from 1961 to 1966 and as a result of
his popularity, Edwards released several music albums that met with reasonable
success. Vince was represented by one of Hollywood's first "Super Agents", Abbey
Greshler of Diamond Artists in Hollywood.
When the television series ended, Edwards returned to acting in motion pictures
with a major role in the 1968 war drama, The Devil's Brigade. He continued to
act in film as well as in guest spots on television plus. He directed a number
of episodes in a variety of television series including the original Battlestar
Galactica. Edwards made his last film in 1995, after which he was diagnosed with
pancreatic cancer.
He died in Los Angeles, California the following year and was buried in the Holy
Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Name: Vince Edwards
Born: 9 July 1928 Brooklyn, New York
Died: 11 March 1996 Los Angeles, California
Vince Edwards (July 9, 1928 - March 11, 1996) was an American actor, director,
and singer, best known for the role of TV doctor "Ben Casey".
Edwards was born Vincent Edward Zoino III in Brooklyn, New York, the son of
Julia and Vincento Zoino (a bricklayer), immigrants from Italy. He had a twin
sister and was the youngest of seven children. He was a standout on his high
school swim team and went on to study at Ohio State University on an athletic
scholarship. There, he was part of the university's swim team that won the
United States National Championships. He had a twin brother, not a twin sister.
Zoino studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and in 1950, he
was signed to a contract by Paramount Pictures, making his film debut as "Vince
Edwards" in 1951's "Mr. Universe." Although he had major or lead roles in
several films, including the 1958 film noir, Murder by Contract, it was not
until he starred as the title character on the highly successful Ben Casey
television series that he achieved a real level of stardom. The medical drama
show, which he occasionally directed, ran from 1961 to 1966 and as a result of
his popularity, Edwards released several music albums that met with reasonable
success. Vince was represented by one of Hollywood's first "Super Agents", Abbey
Greshler of Diamond Artists in Hollywood.
When the television series ended, Edwards returned to acting in motion pictures
with a major role in the 1968 war drama, The Devil's Brigade. He continued to
act in film as well as in guest spots on television plus. He directed a number
of episodes in a variety of television series including the original Battlestar
Galactica. Edwards made his last film in 1995, after which he was diagnosed with
pancreatic cancer.
He died in Los Angeles, California the following year and was buried in the Holy
Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.