Meet one of the youngest "old pros" in Hollywood--Martin Milner. The star of "Adam-12" and "Route 66" began preparing for an acting career while still in high school by hiring an acting coach and, shortly afterward, an agent.
His first major motion picture role came in 1947, when he portrayed the second oldest son in "Life wit Father." Soon after finishing the film, Miliner contracted polio--but he recovered miraculously after being bedridden for a year.
In 1952 his budding career was again stifled. Uncle Sam called him for a two-year hitch, and during this time he directed 20 training films, and emceed a touring show unit in California. He also starred with Tyrone Power and Maureen O'Hara in "The Long Gray Lone while still in the Army.
Milner considers 1957 possibly the most important year in his life. He married actress-singer Judy Jones, he won a major role in the aptly titled film "Sweet Smell of Success," and he starred in the classic "Marjorie Morningstar."
His career continued to climb. In 1960, Milner began a four-year run on television's "Route 66", a show that demanded both comic and dramatic acting from him. "Adam-12" followed in 1969, and Officers Pete Malloy and Jim Reed are still answering calls that lead them into dramatic situations.