Adrian Zmed Biography: Age, Films, Children, Wife, TV Series, Video Games, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Awards

Adrian George Zmed is an Actor, singer, and television personality.

He first gained widespread attention in the early 1980s as Officer Vince Romano on the police drama T. J. Hooker, where his portrayal of a determined rookie alongside William Shatner drew praise for its earnest energy and on-screen chemistry.

Before that, Zmed had honed his craft in musical theatre—most notably as Danny Zuko in the Broadway production of Grease—demonstrating a seamless blend of acting and singing that would become his hallmark.

Profile

• Full name: Adrian George Zmed
• Date of birth: March 14, 1954
• Age: 71 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Actor; singer; television personality
• Height: 5 ft 8½ in (1.74 m)
• Parents: Father: George Zmed-Smith (1916–2010); Mother: Persida “Sadie” (née Golub) Zmed (1923–2015)
• Siblings: Two older brothers—Cornel Zmed and Walter Zmed
• Spouse: Barbara Fitzner (m. 1976; divorced); Susan Wood (m. 1995; divorced); Lyssa Lynne Baker (m. October 5, 2012)
• Children: Zachary Adrian Zmed (b. 1982); Dylan Zmed
• Relationship status: Married (Lyssa Lynne Baker)
• Religion: N/A
• Ethnicity: Romanian American (paternal); Romanian (maternal)
• Net worth: $3 million

Early Life and Education

Adrian George Zmed is now 71 years old, having been born on March 14, 1954, in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest of three sons. His father, George Zmed-Smith, was a Romanian Orthodox priest born to Romanian immigrants from Comloșu Mare in Timiș County. His mother, Persida “Sadie” Golub Zmed, was also Romanian-born and worked alongside her husband in church communities.

At the age of 14, Zmed broke his leg while playing football at Lane Tech High School, an injury that led him to switch from athletics to the performing arts. He joined the school’s production of Guys and Dolls and was soon featured on local television as one of Chicago’s top high school performers.

Following his senior year, Zmed transferred to the Goodman School of Drama at DePaul University, where he concurrently studied voice at the Chicago Conservatory of Music, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in the late 1970s.

Personal Life

In 1976, Zmed married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Fitzner, and the couple welcomed two sons: Zachary Adrian (born 1982) and Dylan Zmed. Both sons later pursued music careers, with Zachary Adrian forming bands such as The Janks and The Bird Dogs.

That marriage ended in divorce in the late 1980s. In 1995, he married Broadway actress and singer Susan Wood, although that union also ended in divorce after several years. On October 5, 2012, Zmed married Lyssa Lynne Baker, with a second, smaller ceremony held in Thailand on November 23, 2012.

Career

Zmed’s professional career began in 1978 when he made his television debut as Marty Decker in an episode of Starsky & Hutch. That same year, he joined the national touring production of Grease, portraying Johnny, and shortly thereafter secured the Broadway lead role of Danny Zuko—he would play that role twice more in subsequent revivals, demonstrating a seamless affinity for musical theatre.

In 1979, Zmed appeared as Socks Palermo in the series Flatbush and then as Frankie Millardo in Goodtime Girls (1980). Guest roles on Angie, I’m a Big Girl Now, and Bosom Buddies followed, showcasing his adaptability in sitcoms and dramas alike.

His breakthrough came in 1982 when he was cast as Johnny Nogerelli in Grease 2, a role that brought him national recognition and led to further film opportunities, including The Final Terror (1983) and Bachelor Party (1984).

That same year, Zmed won the role of Officer Vincent “Vince” Romano in ABC’s T. J. Hooker, starring opposite William Shatner. Across 72 episodes from 1982 to 1985, he gained recognition for his dedication to stunts and his on-screen rapport with Shatner, which helped T.J. Hooker establish a loyal viewership despite a truncated first season.

While T. J. Hooker continued on CBS after 1985, Zmed left to host Dance Fever for its final two seasons (1985–1987), a move that precluded his return to the series but expanded his presence as a television personality.

Throughout the 1990s, Zmed returned to Broadway, taking on roles such as Marvin in Falsettos, the Narrator in Blood Brothers, and reprising Danny Zuko in Grease revivals. He appeared off-Broadway in Eating Raoul (1992) and headlined regional productions of Jesus Christ Superstar and Little Shop of Horrors, further cementing his reputation as a seasoned stage performer.

Net Worth

Adrian Zmed’s net worth is estimated at $3 million, derived from cumulative earnings in television (T.J. Hooker, Dance Fever), film roles (Grease 2, Bachelor Party), Broadway and touring productions, concert performances aboard cruise ships, and residuals from voice work in video games.

Social Media

• Instagram: @adrianzmed
• Twitter (X): @AdrianZmed

Filmography

• Grease 2 (1982)
• The Final Terror (1983)
• Bachelor Party (1984)
• Eyewitness to Murder (1989)
• The Other Woman (1993)
• Improper Conduct (1994)
• Unconditional Love (1999)
• Running from the Shadows (2000)
• Little Insects (2000) (voice)
• Until Morning (2002)
• The Drone Virus (2004)
• Shira: The Vampire Samurai (2005)
• Sex Sells: The Making of Touché (2005)
• The Craving Heart (2006)
• Spring Break ’83 (TBA)

Television

• Starsky & Hutch (1978) – Marty Decker
• Flatbush (1979) – Socks Palermo (6 episodes)
• Angie (1979–80) – Maxie (3 episodes)
• Goodtime Girls (1980) – Frankie Millard (13 episodes)
• For the Love of It (1980) – Fernando (TV film)
• I’m a Big Girl Now (1981) – Mechanic (1 episode)
• Bosom Buddies (1981) – Joseph “Joey Midnight” Raybonz (1 episode)
• T. J. Hooker (1982–85) – Officer Vincent “Vince” Romano (72 episodes)
• Glitter (1984) – Tom (1 episode)
• Victims for Victims: The Theresa Saldana Story (1984) – Fred Feliciano (TV film)
• Dance Fever (1985–87) – Himself (host; 60 episodes)
• Hotel (1986) – Bob (1 episode)
• The Love Boat (1986) – Eddy Conrad (1 episode)
• Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1987) – Edgar Kraft (1 episode)
• You Are the Jury (1987) – Stanley Manning (1 episode)
• Empty Nest (1988) – Gary (1 episode)
• Murder, She Wrote (1989) – Bert Firman (1 episode)
• Silk Stalkings (1994) – Calvin (1 episode)
• The Steve Harvey Show (1998) – Derrick Love (1 episode)
• Storm Chasers: Revenge of the Twister (1998) – Smitty (TV film)
• Caroline in the City (1998) – Jonathan (1 episode)
• Diagnosis: Murder (1999) – Himself (1 episode)
• Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show (2000) – Hook (1 episode)
• Passions (2007) – Basil (13 episodes)
• Larry the Cable Guy’s Christmas Spectacular (2007) – Dirty Caroler Dad (TV film)
• Outside the Box (2013) – Jack Torrence (1 episode)
• Lady Dynamite (2016) – Himself (2 episodes)
• Sharknado: The 4th Awakens (2016) – Himself (TV film)
• Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures (2018) – Randy Riff-Raff (voice; 1 episode)

Video Games

• Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter (2002) – Toth (voice)