Monday, October 27, 2008

Edwin M. Adams Jr., 94, a lawyer, a diplomat and later an actor who appeared in "Three Days of the Condor," "Airport 75" and "The Last Detail," died Oct. 17 of lymphoma at Falcon's Landing, a retirement community in Potomac Falls. He was a former District resident.

Mr. Adams considered a career in acting during his final year of law school at the University of Illinois. He auditioned for Warner Bros. and was offered a trip to Hollywood for screen tests but decided to get his law degree, which he did in 1939.

In the early years of World War II, he worked for the State Department's World Trade Intelligence Division and then enlisted in the Navy. He served for three years, first as a gunnery officer in the Pacific theater and then as an attorney terminating Navy industrial contracts for supplies and equipment no longer needed.

After his discharge from the Navy, he was legal attache to the Allied Commission, uncovering Nazi assets hidden in bank accounts in Switzerland and other neutral countries. Later, as counselor to the U.S. Embassy in Rome, he negotiated treaties for air and naval base sites, including Aviano Air Force Base and Sigonella Naval Base, which are still in operation.

After six years in Rome, Mr. Adams returned to Washington, where he was assigned to the Bureau of African Affairs. He finished his Foreign Service career as special assistant to the deputy undersecretary of state and associate dean of the Foreign Service Institute.

After his retirement from government service, he embarked on a career in Hollywood, where he hosted radio and TV shows, appeared in commercials for Ford and Four Seasons Hotels and was the writer for an NBC series, "Venice, My Love." He also wrote a four-part series for PBS on the social responsibilities of large corporations.

Usually cast as a congressman, banker, doctor or a priest (seven roles), he appeared in 24 movies. He also wrote poetry, a novel, "Petty Destiny" (2004), and memoirs to be published posthumously.

Mr. Adams was born in Gridley, Ill. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois in political science and drama.

There are no immediate survivors.

-- Joe Holley