DonLever Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 (edited) https://www.msn.com/en-ca/entertainment/celebrity/robert-conrad-the-wild-wild-west-star-dies-at-84/ar-BBZNIlt?ocid=spartandhp Robert Conrad, the actor best known for starring in The Wild Wild West, died of heart failure in Malibu, Calif. on Saturday. He was 84. “He lived a wonderfully long life and while the family is saddened by his passing, he will live forever in their hearts,” his family spokesman Jeff Ballard tells PEOPLE. Born in Chicago, Illinois on March 1, 1935, Conrad booked his first major role on Hawaiian Eye in 1959 after working as a milkman. He later took on the role of Secret Service agent James T. West in The Wild Wild West, which aired from 1965 to 1969. Other small screen credits include The D.A., Assignment: Vienna, Centennial and Baa Baa Black Sheep. Along with his work on TV, he also made strides in the film world with roles in the More Wild Wild West, based on the series, Murph the Surf, The Lady in Red, and Samurai Cowboy. The 2002 movie Dead Above Ground featured his last onscreen appearance. Conrad also found success as a recording artist under the moniker Bob Conrad during the ’50s and ’60s and received accolades over the course of his career like the Distinguished Service Award in Broadcasting and being inducted into the Stuntman’s Hall of Fame. He is survived by 18 grandchildren and eight children which he shared with ex-wives LaVelda Fann and Joan Kenlay. Edited February 9, 2020 by DonLever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 He will always be Pappy Boyington to me. Kind of sad he seemed to have a rough retirement. 8 Children and 18 Grandchildren. That's quite a legacy. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bombastik der Teutone Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 1 hour ago, Ghostsof1915 said: He will always be Pappy Boyington to me. Kind of sad he seemed to have a rough retirement. 8 Children and 18 Grandchildren. That's quite a legacy. this was one of my favorite tv shows in the late 80´s early 90´s besides tour of duty a private tv channel showed baa baa black sheep and tour of duty the 1st time in germany these times rest in peace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewbieCanuckFan Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 6 hours ago, Ghostsof1915 said: He will always be Pappy Boyington to me. I dare you..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 4 hours ago, Bombastik der Teutone said: this was one of my favorite tv shows in the late 80´s early 90´s besides tour of duty a private tv channel showed baa baa black sheep and tour of duty the 1st time in germany these times rest in peace If there's anything sad, most of the members of VMA-214 (Black Sheep, they at first wanted to be called Boyington's Bastards). Said the TV show was not even close to how they were. One of these days I'm going to have to find the book about the Squadron. Maybe Marines don't want to be known as "Misfits and Screwballs"? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 Where I developed a love for Corsairs. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bombastik der Teutone Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 14 minutes ago, Ghostsof1915 said: Where I developed a love for Corsairs. me too . its just a beauty of a plane IMO. also loved that F86-Sabre Jet from a john Wayne movie .lol had both as model kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Blight Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 Always liked Hawaiian Eye, especially Connie Stevens singing! Condolences to the family and may you rest in peace Mr. Conrad. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewbieCanuckFan Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 4 hours ago, Ghostsof1915 said: If there's anything sad, most of the members of VMA-214 (Black Sheep, they at first wanted to be called Boyington's Bastards). Said the TV show was not even close to how they were. One of these days I'm going to have to find the book about the Squadron. Maybe Marines don't want to be known as "Misfits and Screwballs"? From what I recall, Boyington was more or less the "oddball" (and I don't mean in the Donald Sutherland ala "Kelly's Heroes" kind of oddball). Had a rather 'colorful' career as a fighter pilot even before VMA-214. Look up his history as a "Flying Tiger" in China. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewbieCanuckFan Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 (edited) More on his famous "Everyready commercial"....way back in the 70s, there was a periodic series called "Battle of the Network Stars" where the stars of the various TV shows would compete against each other in different (of sporting) activities. This was when there was few (if any) crossover of actors/actresses between networks. Here is a "Simon Says" game between "The Hulk" and Pappy Boyington: Edited February 10, 2020 by NewbieCanuckFan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonLever Posted February 10, 2020 Author Share Posted February 10, 2020 (edited) 3 hours ago, NewbieCanuckFan said: More on his famous "Everyready commercial"....way back in the 70s, there was a periodic serious called "Battle of the Network Stars" where the stars of the various TV shows would compete against each other in different (of sporting) activities. This was when there was few (if any) crossover of actors/actresses between networks. There is a funny story regarding the Battle of the Network Stars and Robert Conrad. Robert Conrad was a pretty tough guy who do his own stunts on Wild Wild West. He also had a bad temper. So this what happened: https://raremoviecollector.com/shop/battle-of-the-network-stars-1-1976/ Quote Robert Conrad and Gabe Kaplan (Welcome Back, Kotter (1975) had an infamous showdown during this show. Conrad was the NBC Team Captain, Kaplan was the ABC Team Captain. A dispute arose over the winner of an event and Conrad lost his temper (not uncommon for him), pacing back and fourth and saying he wouldn't accept that the other team had won. Finally, Conrad insisted that he and Kaplan, as team captains, should have a race and the winner would win the event for their team. But Conrad had foolishly underestimated Kaplan and Kaplan won easily, which made Conrad look like a real asshole. Conrad was a pretty fit guy so he thought he would win easily the race. But Conrad was a short guy and Kaplan was a tall guy with long legs, so Kaplan beat him in the race. Edited February 10, 2020 by DonLever 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewbieCanuckFan Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 2 hours ago, DonLever said: There is a funny story regarding the Battle of the Network Stars and Robert Conrad. Robert Conrad was a pretty tough guy who do his own stunts on Wild Wild West. He also had a bad temper. So this what happened: https://raremoviecollector.com/shop/battle-of-the-network-stars-1-1976/ Conrad was a pretty fit guy so he thought he would win easily the race. But Conrad was a short guy and Kaplan was a tall guy with long legs, so Kaplan beat him in the race. Go to around the 1 minute 30 second mark.....oy vey lol! Well this was the 70s after all..... Kaplan sandbagged Conrad. What Conrad didn’t know was that Kaplan wasn’t THAT out of shape and actually was involved in track and field in high school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucklehead Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 ^oy vey waaht a hothead. also he didn't know how to run. Gabe paced himself as Conrad used up all his energy at take off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewbieCanuckFan Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 2 hours ago, nucklehead said: ^oy vey waaht a hothead. also he didn't know how to run. Gabe paced himself as Conrad used up all his energy at take off. Yeah it backs up what I read about Kaplan being into track and field in high school. He might be packing on more pounds but he knew how to run that kind of race. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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