Veteran actor Robert Conrad died February 8 as a result of heart failure in Malibu, California at the age of 84, less than one month from his 85th birthday. Ironically, his partner in the hit show “Wild Wild West”, Ross Martin also died as a result of heart failure.
Best known for his roles in “Hawaiian Eye” and “The Wild Wild West”, Conrad appeared in 80 productions beginning with his debut in 1958 with an uncredited role in “Juvenile Jungle”. His other roles include “Sea Hunt”, “77 Sunset Strip”, “Mannix”, “Adam-12”, “The D.A.”, “Mission: Impossible”, “Assignment: Vienna”, “Columbo”, “Black Sheep Squadron”, the mini-series “Centennial”, “A Man Called Sloane”, “High Mountain Rangers”, “Jesse Hawkes”, “High Sierra Search and Rescue”, “Nash Bridges”, and his final role in 2002 in “Dead Above Ground”.
More than just an actor, Conrad directed and wrote a number of productions and often cast his children in his productions.
As himself, Conrad has appeared in variety shows, talk shows, award shows, game shows, and the celebrity challenge programs like “Battle of the Network Stars”.
He was born Konrad Robert Falkowski on March 1, 1935 in Chicago; the great grandson of German immigrants. He left home at 15 and held a number of odd jobs before making his way to Hollywood and getting his acting career started as a stuntman. Between his work as a stuntman and his very physical acting – he did most of the non dangerous stunts on “The Wild Wild West” – Conrad is one of only six actors to be inducted into the Hollywood Stuntmen’s Hall of Fame as an honourary member.
Divorced twice, Conrad is survived by his children Nancy, Shane, Christian, Joan, Christy, Kaja, Camille, Chelsea, and 18 grandchildren.
The family has requested that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.
feature photo credit: By CBS Television photo by Gabor Rona – eBayfrontback, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32086209
photo credit: By CBS Television – eBay itemphoto frontphoto back, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20604685