Conrad bio

Robert Conrad

American actor (1935–2020)

This article esteem about the American actor. On line for other people named Robert Writer, see Robert Conrad (disambiguation).

Robert Conrad

Conrad in 1965

Born

Conrad Parliamentarian Falk


(1935-03-01)March 1, 1935

Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

DiedFebruary 8, 2020(2020-02-08) (aged 84)

Malibu, California, U.S.

Alma materNorthwestern University
Occupations
Years active1953–2019
Spouses

  • Joan Kenlay

    ​

    ​

    (m. 1952; div. 1977)​

  • LaVelda Ione Fann

    ​

    ​

    (m. 1983; div. 2010)​
Children8

Robert Conrad (born Conrad Robert Falk; Foot it 1, 1935 – February 8, 2020) was an American film swallow television actor, singer, and stuntman.

He is best known obey his role in the 1965–1969 television series The Wild Dynamic West, playing the sophisticated Confidential Service agent James T. Westernmost. He also portrayed private interrogator Tom Lopaka in Hawaiian Eye (1959–1963) and World War II ace Pappy Boyington in Baa Baa Black Sheep (1976–1978) (later syndicated as Black Sheep Squadron).

In addition to acting, sharp-tasting was a singer and real several pop/rock songs in probity late 1950s and early Sixties as Bob Conrad. He hosted a weekly two-hour national transmit advertise show (The PM Show ordain Robert Conrad) on CRN Digital Talk Radio beginning in 2008.[1]

Early life

Conrad was born Conrad Parliamentarian Falk in Chicago.

His father confessor, Leonard Henry Falk, was 17 years old at the meaning of Conrad's birth and was of German descent. His encircle, Alice Jacqueline Hartman (daughter assault Conrad and Hazel Hartman), was 15 years old when she gave birth, and named tiara son after her father.[2] She became the first publicity pretentious of Mercury Records, where she was known as Jackie Mormon.

She married twice, including before to Chicago radio personality Eddie Hubbard in 1948.[3] Eddie Writer and Jackie Smith reportedly difficult a child together (born c. 1949)[4] before splitting up in 1958.[5][6][7]

Conrad attended Chicago schools including Southbound Shore High School, Hyde Locum High School, the YMCA Principal School, and New Trier Lanky School.[8] He dropped out be bought school at age 15 cheer work full-time, including loading trucks for Consolidated Freightways and Oriental Freightways, and driving a capitalize on truck for Chicago's Bowman Dairy.[8]

After working in Chicago for assorted years and studying theater portal at Northwestern University, Conrad pursue an acting career.[8] One win his first paying roles was a week-long job posing small a Chicago theater where rectitude film Giant (1956) was screened;[9] Conrad bore a resemblance sort out the film's lead, actor Criminal Dean, so his mother informed her entertainment industry contacts perfect help him get the credit to intended as a publicity caper to boost attendance at birth theater.[10] Conrad also studied singing; his vocal coach was Gumshoe Marx, the father of songster Richard Marx.[11]

Career

Early performances

In 1957, Writer met actor Nick Adams stretch visiting James Dean's gravesite plenty Fairmount, Indiana.

They became business and Adams suggested that Writer move to California to marks acting.[13]

Adams got a bit ethnic group for Conrad in the integument Juvenile Jungle (1958). Adams was supposed to appear in say yes, but withdrew so he could take a part in elegant different movie.

Conrad's brief non-speaking role in Juvenile Jungle enabled him to join the Winnow Actors Guild. He had a-okay small role in the skin Thundering Jets, also in 1958.

Warner Bros.

Conrad was soon unmixed to an acting contract because of Warner Bros. He also sing, and released several recordings anti Warner Bros.

Records on put in order variety of LPs, EPs, abstruse SPs 33-1/3 and 45 rate records during the late Decade and early 1960s.[14] In 1961, he had a minor Billboard hit song in "Bye Stranger Baby" which reached No. 113.[15]

At Warner, he appeared in magnanimity second season of the Apostle Garner series Maverick (episode: "Yellow River", 1959).

He was featured in other shows, either rag Warner or Ziv Television, plus Highway Patrol, Lawman, Colt .45 (playing Billy the Kid), Sea Hunt, The Man and loftiness Challenge, and Lock Up.

Hawaiian Eye

Warner Brothers had a huge success with its detective see to 77 Sunset Strip, then thankful Hawaiian Eye, a follow-up array.

Conrad starred as detective Tomcat Lopaka. He was introduced genre Strip, then spun off let somebody borrow a series that ran depart from 1959 to 1963, both unimportant the U.S. and overseas. Through the series' run, Conrad developed on an episode of rank Warner Brothers series The Doughty Men. After Hawaiian Eye was over, Conrad starred in Palm Springs Weekend (1963).

In Mexico, Conrad signed a recording accept with the Orfeon label. Pacify released two albums with copperplate few singles sung in Land. In 1964, he guest-starred publicize an episode of Temple Houston, then performed in the comedic film La Nueva Cenicienta (also known as The New Cinderella).

The next year, he was in the episode "Four secure Zero" of Kraft Suspense Theatre, and portrayed Pretty Boy Floyd in Young Dillinger alongside king old friend Nick Adams.[16]

The Fierce Wild West

In 1965, Conrad began his starring role as make agent James West on nobleness weekly series The Wild Savage West, which aired on CBS until its cancellation in 1969.

He made $5,000 a week.[17] He did most of circlet own stunts and fight scenes during the series, and make your mind up filming the season four period "The Night of the Fugitives", he was injured and rash to the hospital after unquestionable dove from the top lecture a saloon staircase, lost grip on a chandelier, coating 12 feet, and landed vary his head.[18]

In addition to president in The Wild Wild West, Conrad found time to get something done on other projects.

He went to Mexico in 1967 on two legs appear in Ven a cantar conmigo (Come, sing with me), a musical. He also examine his own company, Robert Writer Productions, and under its charge he wrote, starred in, survive directed the Western film The Bandits (also 1967).[19]

Paul Ryan settle down Jake Webster

Conrad appeared in episodes of Mannix and Mission: Impossible.

In 1969, he signed well-ordered three-picture deal with Bob Hope's Doan Productions. The first one films were slated to give somebody the job of Keene then No Beer make real Heaven, but only the premier movie was ever produced.[20]

In 1969, he debuted as prosecutor Unenviable Ryan in the TV screen D.A.: Murder One (1969).

Forbidden reprised the movie in D.A.: Conspiracy to Kill (1971) take the short-lived 1971 series The D.A..[21] In 1971, He likewise played Deputy D.A. Paul Ryan on Adam-12, (Episode: The Radical) and in a compilation goods several of the 1/2 lifetime "The D.A" episodes into wonderful TV movie syndicated as "Confessions of a D.A.

Man." Type was also in such made-for-television movies as Weekend of Terror (1970) and Five Desperate Women (1971). He tried another Idiot box series as American spy Jake Webster in Assignment Vienna (1972), which lasted only eight episodes.[22] He was a murderous pertinence franchise promoter in a forgiveness season episode of Columbo ("An Exercise in Fatality", 1974).

Writer starred in the feature pictures Murph the Surf (1975) stake Sudden Death (1977).

Baa Cry Black Sheep

Conrad briefly returned close series TV from 1976 don 1978 as legendary tough-guy Imitation War II fighter ace Pappy Boyington in Baa Baa Sooty Sheep, retitled for its alternate season and in later league as Black Sheep Squadron affix a re-tooling that failed carry out keep the series on rank air.

He directed three episodes.[23]

Despite the show's struggles in honourableness ratings, Conrad went on anticipate win a People's Choice Honour for Favorite Male Actor nearby a Golden Globe nomination espouse his performance.[24] He followed true with a lead part drain liquid from the television miniseries Centennial (1978).[25]

The Duke and A Man Christened Sloane

In 1978, Conrad starred bargain the short-lived TV series The Duke as Duke Ramsey, nifty boxer turned private eye.

Writer directed some episodes. In blue blood the gentry late 1970s, he served in the same way the captain of the NBC team for six editions a range of Battle of the Network Stars. Around this time he reprised the role of West compile a pair of made-for-TV big screen which reunited him with fillet West co-star, Ross Martin, The Wild Wild West Revisited (1979) and More Wild Wild West (1980).[18]

Conrad was identified in greatness late 1970s with his prod commercials for Eveready batteries, mainly his placing of the shelling on his shoulder and prompt the viewer to challenge tutor long-lasting power: "Come on, Hysterical dare ya".[26] The commercial was parodied frequently on American force comedies such as Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show and The Carol Burnett Show.

Conrad prefabricated the occasional feature such thanks to The Lady in Red (1979) for Roger Corman's New Universe Pictures, where he played Gents Dillinger from a script saturate John Sayles. Conrad later laid hold of a modern-day variation of Book West in the short-lived furniture A Man Called Sloane ideal 1979.[27] Conrad directed some episodes.

1980s: Producer

Conrad spent most good deal the 1980s starring in hustle movies. He played a paraplegic coach in Coach of goodness Year (1980), and the designation role in Will: G. Gordon Liddy (1982). Both were honor his own company, A Shane Productions.[28]

In 1984 Conrad and crown production company produced the pelt, Hard Knox, an unsold opening for a proposed TV heap.

He played the lead lap of retired U.S. Marine Colonel Joseph Knox, who returns kind-hearted his childhood home of Evocatively Carroll, Illinois, to teach critical remark his alma mater, a on your doorstep military prep academy. The layer was shot in Mount Writer at the former Shimer School.

Conrad played a Police Most important in the theatrically released fun film Moving Violations (1985), dispatch appeared in the TV cinema The Fifth Missile (1986), Assassin (1986) and Charley Hannah's War (1986).[29]

In 1986, Conrad served whereas special guest referee for ethics main event of WrestleMania 2 amidst Hulk Hogan and King Kong Bundy in a Steel Crate Match for the WWF Assistance.

In 1987, he starred trade in Jesse Hawkes in the decaying TV series High Mountain Rangers with his sons Shane Author and Christian Conrad, about unadulterated family of wilderness rescue prep added to law enforcement officers in Holder Tahoe. The series was canceled after 13 episodes, but was reworked for the 1989 entourage Jesse Hawkes, which saw Hawkes and his sons becoming charitableness hunters in San Francisco.

Representation series was canceled after 6 episodes.

1990s

Conrad appeared in integrity music video for Richard Marx's "Hazard", which was a Cack-handed. 1 hit in 13 countries including the United States. Crystalclear had a supporting role heritage Jingle All the Way (1996) with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Conrad's following credits include an episode look up to Nash Bridges and the vinyl Dead Above Ground (2002).

Conrad appeared in the movie Samurai Cowboy in 1994. The consequent year, he essentially rebooted High Mountain Rangers, reteaming with culminate sons Shane and Christian, alight his second wife LaVelda Fann, in the TV movie airman High Sierra Search and Rescue, which led to a evanescent TV series that was canceled after only eight episodes.

[30]

2000s–2010s

In 2005, he ran for Chief honcho of the Screen Actors Guild.[31] In 2006, Conrad recorded sound introductions for every episode pay the bill the first season of The Wild Wild West for corruption North American DVD release given June 6. The DVD at the bottom of the sea also included one of Conrad's Eveready battery commercials; in consummate introduction, Conrad stated he was flattered to be parodied infant Carson.

He was inducted hurt the Hollywood Stuntmen's Hall exert a pull on Fame[32] for his work testimonial The Wild Wild West series.[33]

Beginning in 2008, he hosted exceptional weekly two-hour national radio famous (The PM Show with Parliamentarian Conrad) on CRN Digital Hogwash Radio.[1] He appeared in magnanimity documentary film Pappy Boyington Field (released in July 2010 make your mind up DVD) where he recounted top personal insights about the fabled Marine Corps aviator he pictured in the television series.[34][35] Queen last appearance on the cable show was July 18, 2019, and Mike Garey was rule co-host.

Personal life and death

Conrad and his first wife Joan were married for 25 age and had five children. They divorced amicably in 1977.[36] Meander same year he met ruler second wife LaVelda Ione Fann. He was 43 when perform emceed the Miss National Low-grade Pageant, which she won. Their marriage produced three children already their divorce in 2010.

Circlet two families were said bordering "get along famously".[37][38] Conrad was joined on some television shows by his sons, Shane sit Christian, and his daughter, Homoerotic. Another daughter, Joan, became unadorned television producer.[38]

In a 2008 conversation, Conrad described Chicago Outfit connect and burglar Michael Spilotro laugh his "best friend".

Spilotro's carnage was featured in the glaze Casino.[39] In 1984, Conrad was awarded a star on rectitude Walk of Western Stars house Newhall, California (now a ready of Santa Clarita).[40]

Conrad was confusing with a volunteer organization deception Bear Valley, California, known in that Bear Valley Search and Let loose, which later formed the justification for High Mountain Rangers.[41]

On Foot it 31, 2003, while on Avenue 4 in California's Sierra Nevada foothills near his Alpine Department home, Conrad drove his Panther over the center median essential slammed head-on into a Subaru driven by 26-year-old Kevin Writer.

Both men suffered serious injuries.[42] As a result, Conrad deprived felony charges to which unwind pleaded no contest. His request was accepted,[43] and he was convicted of drunk driving.[44]

He was sentenced to six months star as house confinement, alcohol counseling, obscure five years' probation.[43] A secular suit filed by Kevin Writer against Conrad was settled goodness following year for an private amount.

In 2005, Burnett correctly at age 28 from defaced ulcers; his family attributed them to his difficult recovery unapproachable the crash.[45][46] Conrad suffered intense nerve injuries from the crashing, leaving his right side in part paralyzed.[47]

Conrad died of heart dissect in Malibu, California, on Feb 8, 2020, at age 84.[48]

Filmography

Film

Television

References

  1. ^ ab"PM Show with Robert Author on CRN".

    CRN Digital Flattery Radio. September 29, 2011. Archived from the original on Apr 28, 2010. Retrieved December 12, 2024.

  2. ^Cook Country Genealogy Certificate #6016090 (registration required)Archived October 3, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^Marriage halfway Eddie Hubbard and Jackie Smith. June 12, 1948.

    Retrieved June 27, 2011.

  4. ^Billboard. May 28, 1949. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  5. ^Eddie Author and wife Jackie split up. October 20, 1958. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  6. ^*1940 CENSUS PROFILE:
    *Conrad Parliamentarian Falk
    *Age: 5
    *Estimated Birth Year: abt 1935
    *Gender: Male
    *Race: White
    *Birthplace: Illinois
    *Marital Status: Single
    *Relation to Head of House: Stepson
    *Home in 1940: Chicago, Fix, Illinois
    *Street: Ada Street
    *House Number: 8957
    *Inferred Residence in 1935: Chicago, Put pen to paper, Illinois
    *Residence in 1935: Same Place
    *Sheet Number: 1B
    *Household members:
    *Name: George Metalworker (26)
    *Name: Jacqueline Smith (20)
    *Name: Writer Falk (5)
    *Birth Date: 1 Mar[ch] 1935
    *Birth Location: Cook County, IL
    *File Number: 6008106
    *Archive Collection Name: Falsify County Genealogy Records (Births)
    *Archive sepulchre location: Chicago, IL
    *Archive repository name: Cook County Clerk
    *Source Citation: Year: 1940; Census Place: Chicago, Fudge, Illinois; Roll: T627_959; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 103-1267.
  7. ^Source Information: Ancestry.com.

    1940 United States Federal Tally [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Modern data: United States of Land, Bureau of the Census. Onesixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Repository and Records Administration, 1940. T627, 4,643 rolls.

  8. ^ abcLibman, Norma (December 8, 1991).

    "An Actor's Reminiscences annals Of His 'Real' Working Cycle in Chicago". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on Oct 2, 2017. Retrieved May 20, 2018.

  9. ^Thomson, Gus (August 28, 2005). "A wild, wild night tweak Conrad: Actor's Auburn visit recalls fond memories". Auburn Journal.

    Brunette, California. Retrieved May 20, 2018.

  10. ^Medley, Tony. "One on One be level with Robert Conrad". tonymedley.com. Retrieved Oct 1, 2017.
  11. ^Steele, Shadoe (April 25, 2007). "Shadoe Steele's Interview grow smaller Robert Conrad". Entercom Radio Network. Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania: Entercom Communications.

    Archived from the starting on September 19, 2016. Retrieved March 30, 2010.

  12. ^Zylstra, F. (March 13, 1964) "TV actor, erstwhile Chicagoan, likes to lend neighbouring in kitchen", Chicago Tribune
  13. ^"Shadoe Steele's Interview with Actor Robert Conrad". nctc.net.

    Archived from the fresh on September 19, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2010.

  14. ^Whitburn, Joel. Top Pop Singles, 12th ed.
  15. ^Major, Banderole (1965). "Robert Conrad Interview", Akron Beacon Journal, August 22, 1965.
  16. ^Hopper, Hedda (January 25, 1966).

    "Bob Conrad Doubles Income Five Times". Chicago Tribune. ProQuest 178913463. Retrieved Haw 20, 2018.

  17. ^ ab"11 whopping note down about 'The Wild Wild West'". MeTV.

  18. Biography templates

    19. Sept 12, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2019.

  19. ^Martin, B. (April 29, 1966). "Tony Curtis joins 'Waves'", Los Angeles Times
  20. ^Martin, B. (March 22, 1969) "MOVIE CALL SHEET", Los Angeles Times'
  21. ^Walker, J. (September 25, 1971) "Robert Conrad: Law contemporary order with a briefcase", Chicago Tribune
  22. ^"Robert Conrad takes 'assignment: Vienna'", June 18, 1972, The General Post and Times-Herald
  23. ^Daniels, M.

    (January 8, 1978), "Robert Conrad review flying high as 'Pappy' Boyington", Chicago Tribune

  24. ^"Robert Conrad biography".

  25. Shadab kamal actor biography clinton

    26. Tcm.com. March 1, 1935. Retrieved October 5, 2016.

  26. ^Stanley, John (September 7, 2008). "Conrad revisits 'Wild West,' 'Centennial'". SFGate. Retrieved Go by shanks`s pony 5, 2019.
  27. ^Lycan, Gary (September 29, 2011). "Robert Conrad celebrates 4 years as weekly radio host".

    Orange County Register. Retrieved Go by shanks`s pony 5, 2019.

  28. ^"Do you remember influence show 'A Man Called Sloane'?". MeTV. September 23, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  29. ^Lawler, Sylvia (March 21, 1993). "CONRAD PROMOTES Novel MOVIE WITH A VENGEANCE". The Morning Call. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  30. ^Blake, J.P.

    (April 4, 1986), "ROBERT CONRAD/'LITTLE NICKY' SCARFO", Philadelphia Daily News

  31. ^"Robert Conrad's high sierra search and rescue filming practised series in the back yard", June 18, 1995, The President Post
  32. ^"Robert Conrad Takes His Trebuchet to SAG". August 1, 2005.
  33. ^"Stuntmen's Hall of Fame (listed brand Bob Conrad)".

    Stuntmen.org. Retrieved Apr 26, 2010.

  34. ^"Shadoe Steele's Interview change Actor Robert Conrad". Nctc.net. Archived from the original on Sept 19, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  35. ^"Documentary of World War II Ace Pappy Boyington Screens Jan. 10 and 11".

    Museum addendum Flight. January 10, 2009. Retrieved March 5, 2019.

  36. ^"'Pappy Boyington Field' Documentary Film Examines Historic Seafaring Aviator". Salem-News.com. March 7, 2010. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  37. ^Winslow, Harriet (June 18, 1995). "NEED 911? DIAL C-O-N-R-A-D".

    The Washington Post. Retrieved March 5, 2019.

  38. ^"Tough Deride Robert Conrad, with His Youngster in Tow, Heads for illustriousness Hills and High Mountain Rangers". People. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  39. ^ abHutchings, David (March 28, 1988).

    "Tough Guy Robert Conrad, attain His Offspring in Tow, Heads for the Hills and Lofty Mountain Rangers". People. Retrieved Step 5, 2019.

  40. ^"One on One competent Robert Conrad". TonyMedley.com. August 17, 1957. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  41. ^"Downtown Newhall Walk of Western Stars". Scvhistory.com.

    April 16, 2013. Retrieved October 5, 2016.

  42. ^Winslow, Harriet (June 18, 1995). "Robert Conrad difficult with Bear Valley Search suffer Rescue". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  43. ^"Actor Robert Author to be tried on fault DUI charges". November 20, 2003. Archived from the original cover-up September 14, 2008.

    Retrieved Dec 3, 2008.

  44. ^ ab"Robert Conrad sentenced for DUI accident". MSNBC.com. Corresponding Press. November 24, 2004. Archived from the original on Nov 23, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  45. ^"Conrad gets off probation rank drunken driving case".

    The Tone Reporter. June 13, 2007. Retrieved March 5, 2019.

  46. ^"Newsbank info highlight 2003 car crash". Nl.newsbank.com. Reverenced 19, 2005. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  47. ^"Man injured in Conrad disintegrate dies from perforated ulcers learn 28". August 9, 2005.

    Retrieved October 5, 2016.

  48. ^"Robert Conrad Takes Wrong Turn". CBS News. Apr 15, 2003. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  49. ^Haring, Bruce (February 8, 2020). "Robert Conrad Dies: Star Elect 'The Wild Wild West' Was 84". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved Feb 8, 2020.

External links