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 brother 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.
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 then played the lead next year in Hiawatha. 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.
