Edd "Kookie" Byrnes Edward Byrnes, an American actor, was born Edward Byrne Breitenberger on July 30, 1933, in New York of German and Irish extraction. His alcoholic father died when he was 13. He changed his surname to Byrnes, which was his maternal grandfather's surname and appeared in the movie Marjorie Morningstar as "Edward Byrnes".
His most famous role was as Gerald Lloyd "Kookie" Kookson III on the TV series 77 Sunset Strip. He was later hired to host Wheel of Fortune, but was fired by Merv Griffin after only the pilot episode in 1974 and was replaced by Chuck Woolery in 1975; he has appeared in many TV shows and unmemorable movies.
Edd also played the role of Vince Fontaine in the 1978 smash movie Grease.
He is best known by the name "Edd Byrnes" so as to distinguish himself from actor/director Edward Burns.
