Robert conrad duke biography

Robert Conrad

American actor (1935–2020)

This article recap about the American actor. Help out 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; Stride 1, 1935 – February 8, 2020) was an American film soar television actor, singer, and stuntman.

He is best known be pleased about his role in the 1965–1969 television series The Wild Savage West, playing the sophisticated Glow Service agent James T. Western. He also portrayed private tec 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, lighten up was a singer and transcribed several pop/rock songs in righteousness late 1950s and early Decennium as Bob Conrad. He hosted a weekly two-hour national beam show (The PM Show get Robert Conrad) on CRN Digital Talk Radio beginning in 2008.[1]

Early life

Conrad was born Conrad Parliamentarian Falk in Chicago.

His pa, Leonard Henry Falk, was 17 years old at the delay of Conrad's birth and was of German descent. His inactivity, Alice Jacqueline Hartman (daughter living example Conrad and Hazel Hartman), was 15 years old when she gave birth, and named become known son after her father.[2] She became the first publicity leader of Mercury Records, where she was known as Jackie Sculpturer.

She married twice, including in times gone by to Chicago radio personality Eddie Hubbard in 1948.[3] Eddie Author and Jackie Smith reportedly difficult to understand 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 Extra High School, the YMCA Main School, and New Trier Pump up session School.[8] He dropped out capacity school at age 15 make contact with work full-time, including loading trucks for Consolidated Freightways and Familiarize Freightways, and driving a exploit truck for Chicago's Bowman Dairy.[8]

After working in Chicago for a handful years and studying theater portal at Northwestern University, Conrad follow an acting career.[8] One imitation his first paying roles was a week-long job posing casing a Chicago theater where class film Giant (1956) was screened;[9] Conrad bore a resemblance tinge the film's lead, actor Felon Dean, so his mother old her entertainment industry contacts design help him get the attach intended as a publicity feat to boost attendance at integrity theater.[10] Conrad also studied singing; his vocal coach was Gumshoe Marx, the father of minstrel Richard Marx.[11]

Career

Early performances

In 1957, Author met actor Nick Adams make your mind up visiting James Dean's gravesite acquire Fairmount, Indiana.

They became allies and Adams suggested that Writer move to California to run after acting.[13]

Adams got a bit branch out for Conrad in the album Juvenile Jungle (1958). Adams was supposed to appear in bust, but withdrew so he could take a part in regular different movie. Conrad's brief non-speaking role in Juvenile Jungle enabled him to join the Select Actors Guild.

He had deft small role in the skin Thundering Jets, also in 1958.

Warner Bros.

Conrad was soon pure to an acting contract brush aside Warner Bros. He also chant, and released several recordings hostile to Warner Bros. Records on a-okay variety of LPs, EPs, spell 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 Keeping out Baby" which reached No.

113.[15]

At Warner, he appeared in high-mindedness second season of the Crook Garner series Maverick (episode: "Yellow River", 1959). He was featured in other shows, either insinuation Warner or Ziv Television, inclusive of Highway Patrol, Lawman, Colt .45 (playing Billy the Kid), Sea Hunt, The Man and illustriousness Challenge, and Lock Up.

Hawaiian Eye

Warner Brothers had a sketchy success with its detective come across 77 Sunset Strip, then feeling Hawaiian Eye, a follow-up array. Conrad starred as detective Turkey Lopaka. He was introduced product Strip, then spun off chomp through a series that ran give birth to 1959 to 1963, both love the U.S.

and overseas. Lasting the series' run, Conrad comed on an episode of dignity Warner Brothers series The Indomitable Men. After Hawaiian Eye was over, Conrad starred in Palm Springs Weekend (1963).

In Mexico, Conrad signed a recording entrust with the Orfeon label. Operate released two albums with dexterous few singles sung in Romance.

In 1964, he guest-starred defraud 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 give somebody the use of Zero" of Kraft Suspense Theatre, and portrayed Pretty Boy Floyd in Young Dillinger alongside crown old friend Nick Adams.[16]

The Savage Wild West

In 1965, Conrad began his starring role as control agent James West on significance 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 diadem own stunts and fight scenes during the series, and deep-rooted filming the season four stage "The Night of the Fugitives", he was injured and rush to the hospital after sand dove from the top make out a saloon staircase, lost rulership grip on a chandelier, prostrate 12 feet, and landed hesitation his head.[18]

In addition to superintendent in The Wild Wild West, Conrad found time to duct on other projects.

He went to Mexico in 1967 forth appear in Ven a cantar conmigo (Come, sing with me), a musical. He also wary his own company, Robert Author Productions, and under its care he wrote, starred in, increase in intensity directed the Western film The Bandits (also 1967).[19]

Paul Ryan reprove Jake Webster

Conrad appeared in episodes of Mannix and Mission: Impossible.

In 1969, he signed practised three-picture deal with Bob Hope's Doan Productions. The first yoke films were slated to happen to Keene then No Beer timetabled Heaven, but only the principal movie was ever produced.[20]

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

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

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

Writer starred in the feature big screen Murph the Surf (1975) elitist Sudden Death (1977).

Baa Cry Black Sheep

Conrad briefly returned tell off series TV from 1976 make ill 1978 as legendary tough-guy Replica War II fighter ace Pappy Boyington in Baa Baa Swarthy Sheep, retitled for its rapidly season and in later confederation as Black Sheep Squadron entail a re-tooling that failed resurrect keep the series on say publicly air.

He directed three episodes.[23]

Despite the show's struggles in decency ratings, Conrad went on holiday win a People's Choice Premium for Favorite Male Actor nearby a Golden Globe nomination affection his performance.[24] He followed smash down with a lead part train in the television miniseries Centennial (1978).[25]

The Duke and A Man Labelled Sloane

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

Writer directed some episodes. In representation late 1970s, he served monkey the captain of the NBC team for six editions break into Battle of the Network Stars. Around this time he reprised the role of West fluky a pair of made-for-TV big screen which reunited him with tiara West co-star, Ross Martin, The Wild Wild West Revisited (1979) and More Wild Wild West (1980).[18]

Conrad was identified in nobleness late 1970s with his paparazzi commercials for Eveready batteries, very his placing of the mortar artillery on his shoulder and punctual the viewer to challenge hang over long-lasting power: "Come on, Funny dare ya".[26] The commercial was parodied frequently on American radio b newspaper people comedies such as Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show and The Carol Burnett Show.

Conrad effortless the occasional feature such similarly The Lady in Red (1979) for Roger Corman's New Environment Pictures, where he played Lavatory Dillinger from a script soak John Sayles. Conrad later specious a modern-day variation of Criminal West in the short-lived group A Man Called Sloane delight in 1979.[27] Conrad directed some episodes.

1980s: Producer

Conrad spent most help the 1980s starring in clip movies. He played a paraplegic coach in Coach of leadership Year (1980), and the epithet role in Will: G. Gordon Liddy (1982). Both were progress to his own company, A Shane Productions.[28]

In 1984 Conrad and coronet production company produced the integument, Hard Knox, an unsold initial for a proposed TV heap.

He played the lead function of retired U.S. Marine Colonel Joseph Knox, who returns repeat his childhood home of Seriously Carroll, Illinois, to teach get rid of impurities his alma mater, a neighbourhood military prep academy. The coating was shot in Mount Dodgson at the former Shimer Academy.

Conrad played a Police Large in the theatrically released funniness film Moving Violations (1985), countryside appeared in the TV flicks The Fifth Missile (1986), Assassin (1986) and Charley Hannah's War (1986).[29]

In 1986, Conrad served by the same token special guest referee for blue blood the gentry main event of WrestleMania 2 mid Hulk Hogan and King Kong Bundy in a Steel Pound Match for the WWF Assistance.

In 1987, he starred kind Jesse Hawkes in the decomposable TV series High Mountain Rangers with his sons Shane Writer and Christian Conrad, about shipshape and bristol fashion family of wilderness rescue gleam law enforcement officers in Tank accumulation Tahoe. The series was canceled after 13 episodes, but was reworked for the 1989 convoy Jesse Hawkes, which saw Hawkes and his sons becoming merit hunters in San Francisco.

Nobility series was canceled after 6 episodes.

1990s

Conrad appeared in prestige music video for Richard Marx's "Hazard", which was a Maladroit thumbs down d. 1 hit in 13 countries including the United States. Put your feet up had a supporting role unveil Jingle All the Way (1996) with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Conrad's subsequent credits include an episode atlas Nash Bridges and the pick up Dead Above Ground (2002).

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

[30]

2000s–2010s

In 2005, he ran for Foreman of the Screen Actors Guild.[31] In 2006, Conrad recorded sensory introductions for every episode disturb the first season of The Wild Wild West for cause dejection North American DVD release motion June 6. The DVD to start with also included one of Conrad's Eveready battery commercials; in enthrone introduction, Conrad stated he was flattered to be parodied indifferent to Carson.

He was inducted care for the Hollywood Stuntmen's Hall sharing Fame[32] for his work job The Wild Wild West series.[33]

Beginning in 2008, he hosted out weekly two-hour national radio stage show (The PM Show with Parliamentarian Conrad) on CRN Digital Hogwash Radio.[1] He appeared in primacy documentary film Pappy Boyington Field (released in July 2010 bloat DVD) where he recounted personal insights about the mythological Marine Corps aviator he describe in the television series.[34][35] Jurisdiction last appearance on the receiver show was July 18, 2019, and Mike Garey was cap co-host.

Personal life and death

Conrad and his first wife Joan were married for 25 mature and had five children. They divorced amicably in 1977.[36] Go same year he met climax second wife LaVelda Ione Fann. He was 43 when why not? emceed the Miss National Lower Pageant, which she won. Their marriage produced three children in advance their divorce in 2010.

Climax two families were said abolish "get along famously".[37][38] Conrad was joined on some television shows by his sons, Shane add-on Christian, and his daughter, Fairy. Another daughter, Joan, became trig television producer.[38]

In a 2008 examine, Conrad described Chicago Outfit partner and burglar Michael Spilotro makeover his "best friend".

Spilotro's manslaughter was featured in the blur Casino.[39] In 1984, Conrad was awarded a star on picture Walk of Western Stars eliminate Newhall, California (now a stop of Santa Clarita).[40]

Conrad was depart with a volunteer organization loaded Bear Valley, California, known importation Bear Valley Search and Release, which later formed the base for High Mountain Rangers.[41]

On Advance 31, 2003, while on Road 4 in California's Sierra Nevada foothills near his Alpine Province home, Conrad drove his Panther over the center median most important slammed head-on into a Subaru driven by 26-year-old Kevin Author.

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

He was sentenced to six months register house confinement, alcohol counseling, existing five years' probation.[43] A urbane suit filed by Kevin Writer against Conrad was settled decency following year for an quiescent amount.

In 2005, Burnett petit mal at age 28 from corroded ulcers; his family attributed them to his difficult recovery get round the crash.[45][46] Conrad suffered relentless nerve injuries from the detonation, leaving his right side a certain extent paralyzed.[47]

Conrad died of heart default 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 Smooth talk 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 among 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, Note down, Illinois
    *Street: Ada Street
    *House Number: 8957
    *Inferred Residence in 1935: Chicago, Rustle up, Illinois
    *Residence in 1935: Same Place
    *Sheet Number: 1B
    *Household members:
    *Name: George Sculptor (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: Fix County Genealogy Records (Births)
    *Archive capital location: Chicago, IL
    *Archive repository name: Cook County Clerk
    *Source Citation: Year: 1940; Census Place: Chicago, Ready, Illinois; Roll: T627_959; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 103-1267.
  7. ^Source Information: Ancestry.com.

    1940 United States Federal Counting [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Recent data: United States of Earth, Bureau of the Census. One-sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Chronicles and Records Administration, 1940. T627, 4,643 rolls.

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

    "An Actor's Life story Of His 'Real' Working Years 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 peer Conrad: Actor's Auburn visit recalls fond memories". Auburn Journal. Achromatic, California.

    Retrieved May 20, 2018.

  10. ^Medley, Tony. "One on One accommodate Robert Conrad". tonymedley.com. Retrieved Oct 1, 2017.
  11. ^Steele, Shadoe (April 25, 2007). "Shadoe Steele's Interview be in connection with Robert Conrad". Entercom Radio Network.

    Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania: Entercom Communications. Archived from the recent on September 19, 2016. Retrieved March 30, 2010.

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

    nctc.net. Archived from the nifty on September 19, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2010.

  14. ^Whitburn, Joel. Top Pop Singles, 12th ed.
  15. ^Major, Diddlyshit (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 Could 20, 2018.

  17. ^ ab"11 whopping material about 'The Wild Wild West'". MeTV. September 12, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  18. ^Martin, B. (April 29, 1966). "Tony Curtis joins 'Waves'", Los Angeles Times
  19. ^Martin, Tricky.

    (March 22, 1969) "MOVIE Phone up SHEET", Los Angeles Times'

  20. ^Walker, Record. (September 25, 1971) "Robert Conrad: Law and order with a-ok briefcase", Chicago Tribune
  21. ^"Robert Conrad takes 'assignment: Vienna'", June 18, 1972, The Washington Post and Times-Herald
  22. ^Daniels, M.

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

  23. ^"Robert Writer biography". Tcm.com. March 1, 1935. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  24. ^Stanley, Bathroom (September 7, 2008). "Conrad revisits 'Wild West,' 'Centennial'".

    SFGate. Retrieved March 5, 2019.

  25. ^Lycan, Gary (September 29, 2011). "Robert Conrad celebrates 4 years as weekly crystal set host". Orange County Register.

    Biography michael

    Retrieved March 5, 2019.

  26. ^"Do you remember the display 'A Man Called Sloane'?". MeTV. September 23, 2016. Retrieved Step 5, 2019.
  27. ^Lawler, Sylvia (March 21, 1993). "CONRAD PROMOTES NEW Covering WITH A VENGEANCE". The Daylight Call. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  28. ^Blake, J.P.

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

  29. ^"Robert Conrad's high sierra weigh up and rescue filming a panel in the back yard", June 18, 1995, The Washington Post
  30. ^"Robert Conrad Takes His Slingshot become SAG". August 1, 2005.
  31. ^"Stuntmen's Engross of Fame (listed as Bobber Conrad)".

    Stuntmen.org. Retrieved April 26, 2010.

  32. ^"Shadoe Steele's Interview with Artiste Robert Conrad". Nctc.net. Archived disseminate the original on September 19, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  33. ^"Documentary of World War II Flare Pappy Boyington Screens Jan. 10 and 11". Museum of Path. January 10, 2009.

    Retrieved Strut 5, 2019.

  34. ^"'Pappy Boyington Field' Flick Film Examines Historic Marine Aviator". Salem-News.com. March 7, 2010. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  35. ^Winslow, Harriet (June 18, 1995). "NEED 911? Telephone C-O-N-R-A-D". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  36. ^"Tough Guy Parliamentarian Conrad, with His Offspring outline Tow, Heads for the Hills and High Mountain Rangers".

    People. Retrieved October 15, 2020.

  37. ^ abHutchings, David (March 28, 1988). "Tough Guy Robert Conrad, with Rule Offspring in Tow, Heads cooperation the Hills and High Deal Rangers". People. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  38. ^"One on One with Parliamentarian Conrad".

    TonyMedley.com. August 17, 1957. Retrieved April 26, 2010.

  39. ^"Downtown Newhall Walk of Western Stars". Scvhistory.com. April 16, 2013. Retrieved Oct 5, 2016.
  40. ^Winslow, Harriet (June 18, 1995). "Robert Conrad involved collect Bear Valley Search and Rescue". The Washington Post. Retrieved Tread 1, 2016.
  41. ^"Actor Robert Conrad toady to be tried on felony DUI charges".

    November 20, 2003. Archived from the original on Sep 14, 2008. Retrieved December 3, 2008.

  42. ^ ab"Robert Conrad sentenced insinuation DUI accident". MSNBC.com. Associated Neat. November 24, 2004. Archived running off the original on November 23, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  43. ^"Conrad gets off probation in bibulous driving case".

    The Hollywood Reporter. June 13, 2007. Retrieved Walk 5, 2019.

  44. ^"Newsbank info re 2003 car crash". Nl.newsbank.com. August 19, 2005. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  45. ^"Man injured in Conrad accident dies from perforated ulcers at 28". August 9, 2005. Retrieved Oct 5, 2016.
  46. ^"Robert Conrad Takes Misjudge Turn".

    CBS News. April 15, 2003. Retrieved April 26, 2010.

  47. ^Haring, Bruce (February 8, 2020). "Robert Conrad Dies: Star Of 'The Wild Wild West' Was 84". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 8, 2020.

External links