"The most meaningful and fulfilling to me was meeting agents over the years who came up to me and said they went into law enforcement because of our show," he said.
Zimbalist said he later came to recognize the influence he once wielded.
"In those days, he may well have been the bureau's best and most effective recruiter," Mueller said. "Efrem's character embodies fidelity, bravery and integrity - so much so that he inspired a generation of future FBI employees, many of whom pursued a career in the bureau because they watched 'The FBI' series when they grew up," Mueller told a gathering of family, friends and past and present FBI officials. "The FBI" television series aired on ABC from 1965 to 1974 and helped burnish the image of the bureau as the world's premier law enforcement agency. "I'm hugely honored and grateful for all of it." "I feel humbled to receive this fantastic award," Zimbalist said. Today we would like to present you with the real thing."Ī frail but alert Zimbalist was thrilled. "For nine years, Inspector Erskine wore the FBI's badge. "We consider the Honorary Special Agent Award the highest honor that we bestow on individuals outside the bureau, and today we are proud to present it to you," Mueller said. Efrem Zimbalist Jr., now 90, accepted the honor from FBI director Robert Mueller on Monday at a ceremony in Los Angeles, California.