The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Season 13 Episode 9 Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.

On the ninth episode of season 13 of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, legendary actor Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. takes the hot seat for an evening of conversation and laughs with the legendary talk show host. As the star of popular television series such as "77 Sunset Strip" and "The F.B.I.," Zimbalist has a wealth of stories to share about his career and personal life.

Carson starts the interview by asking Zimbalist about his passions outside of acting. Zimbalist reveals that he is an avid birdwatcher and shares some of his favorite spots for birdwatching in Southern California. The conversation then turns to Zimbalist's early career in Hollywood and his breakout role on "77 Sunset Strip." Zimbalist shares fond memories of working with his co-stars, including Roger Smith and Edd Byrnes, and talks about the frenzy that the show created among fans in the late 1950s.

The conversation then moves on to Zimbalist's role on "The F.B.I." in the 1960s and 70s. Zimbalist played the lead character, Special Agent Lewis Erskine, for nine seasons on the show. Carson asks Zimbalist about the research he did into real-life FBI agents to prepare for the role, and Zimbalist talks about the importance of accuracy in portraying law enforcement on television.

Throughout the interview, Zimbalist shows off his dry wit and quick sense of humor, often catching Carson off guard with quips and one-liners. The two men have a great rapport, and it's clear that they share a mutual admiration. Zimbalist even jokes at one point that he's "a poor man's Johnny Carson."

In addition to his acting career, Zimbalist also comes from a family with deep roots in the arts. His father was a famous violinist, and his mother was an opera singer. Zimbalist talks about the influence that his parents had on his life and career, and shares some memories from his childhood.

As the conversation winds down, Carson asks Zimbalist about his plans for the future. Zimbalist reveals that he has just finished shooting a film called "Better Late Than Never," which was directed by Bryan Forbes and co-starred David Niven and Art Carney. He also mentions that he has recently started writing and has some projects in the works.

The episode closes on a high note, with Zimbalist and Carson sharing some laughs and reminiscing about their shared experiences in the entertainment industry. It's clear that Zimbalist is a beloved figure in Hollywood, and his charm and wit shine through in this entertaining and engaging interview.