In December 1941, Zimbalist married his first wife, Emily Munroe McNair.
They had two children, Efrem "Skip" Zimbalist III (b. 1947) and Nancy (1944–2012).
In January 1950, Emily died from cancer.

In 1956, Zimbalist married Loranda Stephanie Spalding.
Loranda's middle name was given to their daughter, actress Stephanie Zimbalist.
On February 5, 2007, aged 73, Loranda died from lung cancer.

Before joining the congregation of an Episcopal church, he appeared in a number of evangelical Christian media productions.
Zimbalist's parents, Alma Gluck and Efrem Zimbalist, were of Jewish descent but on emigrating to America, had left the religion.
Moreover, Efrem Zimbalist stated, "As far as I am concerned, there has been no Jew in the family for sixty-five years."
In December 1941, Zimbalist married his first wife, Emily Munroe McNair. They had two children, Efrem "Skip" Zimbalist III (b. 1947) and Nancy (1944–2012). In January 1950, Emily died from cancer.
In 1956, Zimbalist married Loranda Stephanie Spalding. Loranda's middle name was given to their daughter, actress Stephanie Zimbalist. On February 5, 2007, aged 73, Loranda died from lung cancer.
Before joining the congregation of an Episcopal church, he appeared in a number of evangelical Christian media productions. Zimbalist's parents, Alma Gluck and Efrem Zimbalist, were of Jewish descent but on emigrating to America, had left the religion. Moreover, Efrem Zimbalist stated, "As far as I am concerned, there has been no Jew in the family for sixty-five years."
Efrem Zimbalist Jr.