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William ConradAmerican actor, director, producer
Date of Birth: 27.09.1920
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of William Conrad
Early Life and CareerWilliam Conrad, born William Cann, was an American actor, director, and producer. He was known for his distinctive voice and narration skills in both film and television. Conrad's voice can be heard in the animated TV series "Rocky and His Friends" (1959-1961), as well as in the TV series "This Man Dawson" (1959-1960) and "The Fugitive" (1963-1967).
Conrad was born in 1920 in Louisville, Kentucky, into a family of theater owners. He excelled in literature during his school years and showed talent in theater. In the 1930s, he began working at radio station KMPC while living in California. During World War II, Conrad served as a fighter pilot and achieved the rank of captain. After being discharged, he married June Nelson.
Acting and Producing Career
Conrad's acting career began in the late 1940s. His first films were the crime melodrama "The Killers" (1946) and the film noir "Body and Soul" (1947). In 1948, he appeared in "Sorry, Wrong Number" and the following year had roles in several films, including Mervyn LeRoy's "Any Number Can Play" and "East Side, West Side." In 1954, he played a role in the adventure film "The Naked Jungle." During this period, Conrad also worked as a producer, overseeing films such as "The Ride Back" (1957), "An American Dream" (1966), and "Countdown" (1968), among others. He even directed "Countdown," adding to his growing experience as a filmmaker.
In the 1960s, Conrad transitioned to television, initially as an actor, but soon venturing into directing and producing. His distinctive and pleasant baritone voice led to numerous voice-over roles, including narrating the television series "The Rifleman," "Bat Masterson," "Route 66," "Have Gun – Will Travel," and "77 Sunset Strip." He also served as the narrator for the nature film "The Wild, Wild World of Animals." As a producer for Warner Brothers, Conrad worked on films such as "An American Dream," "A Covenant With Death," "First to Fight," "The Cool Ones," and "Assignment to Kill."
Fame and Later Years
Conrad gained significant popularity in the 1970s with the TV series "Cannon," in which he portrayed the main character, Frank Cannon, appearing in 121 episodes from 1971 to 1976. During the show's run, Conrad gained approximately 15 kilograms, adding to his already hefty physique. He humorously embraced his weight and often made jokes about it. Conrad continued to find success on television, starring in the series "Jake and the Fatman" alongside the talented actor Joe Penny. He also played the lead role of detective Nero Wolfe in both parts of "Nero Wolfe."
Conrad was married to his wife Judith for over 30 years, and they had a son together. After Judith's death, he remarried Tippy Stringer Huntley. On February 10, 1994, Conrad passed away in Los Angeles from acute heart failure. He was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Cemetery. In 1997, Conrad was posthumously inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame, honoring his contributions to the industry.
