Robert Conrad was a multifaceted American entertainer known for his work in film and television as an actor, singer, and stuntman. His most recognized role was as Secret Service agent James T. West in the popular television series The Wild Wild West (1965-1969). He also starred as private investigator Tom Lopaka in Hawaiian Eye (1959-1963) and portrayed World War II pilot Pappy Boyington in Baa Baa Black Sheep (1976-1978). Conrad's career spanned several decades, showcasing his diverse talents in various genres, from action and adventure to drama and suspense.
1948: Mother's Marriage to Eddie Hubbard
Robert Conrad's mother, Jackie Smith, married Chicago radio personality Eddie Hubbard in 1948.
1949: Birth of Half-Sibling
Jackie Smith and Eddie Hubbard reportedly had a child together around 1949.
1956: James Dean Impersonation and Vocal Training
Conrad worked as a James Dean look-alike and studied singing with Dick Marx in 1956.
1957: Meeting Nick Adams
Conrad met actor Nick Adams at James Dean's gravesite in 1957.
1958: Film Debut and Joining Screen Actors Guild
Conrad made his film debut in "Juvenile Jungle" and joined the Screen Actors Guild in 1958.
1958: Parents' Separation
Jackie Smith and Eddie Hubbard separated in 1958.
1959: Hawaiian Eye Debut
"Hawaiian Eye" premiered in 1959, starring Robert Conrad as Tom Lopaka.
1959: Various TV Appearances
Conrad appeared in several TV shows, including "Maverick," "Highway Patrol," and "Colt .45," in 1959.
1959: Hawaiian Eye and Maverick Appearances
Robert Conrad appeared in "Maverick" and began starring in "Hawaiian Eye" in 1959.
1961: "Bye Bye Baby" Hit Song
Conrad's song "Bye Bye Baby" reached No. 113 on the Billboard charts in 1961.
1963: End of Hawaiian Eye and Palm Springs Weekend Release
"Hawaiian Eye" concluded, and Conrad appeared in the film "Palm Springs Weekend" in 1963.
1963: End of Hawaiian Eye and Palm Springs Weekend
"Hawaiian Eye" ended, and Conrad starred in "Palm Springs Weekend" in 1963.
1964: Temple Houston and La Nueva Cenicienta
Conrad guest-starred on "Temple Houston" and appeared in the film "La Nueva Cenicienta" in 1964.
1965: Start of The Wild Wild West
Robert Conrad began starring in "The Wild Wild West" in 1965.
1965: The Wild Wild West Debut
Robert Conrad began starring as James T. West in "The Wild Wild West" in 1965.
1967: Ven a cantar conmigo and The Bandits
Conrad appeared in the Mexican film "Ven a cantar conmigo" and directed "The Bandits" in 1967.
1969: End of The Wild Wild West and On-Set Injury
"The Wild Wild West" ended in 1969. During filming, Conrad suffered a serious head injury from a fall.
1969: End of The Wild Wild West
"The Wild Wild West" series concluded in 1969.
1969: Three-Picture Deal and D.A.: Murder One
Conrad signed a three-picture deal with Doan Productions and starred in "D.A.: Murder One" in 1969.
1969: D.A.: Murder One Release
Robert Conrad starred in the TV movie "D.A.: Murder One" which was released in 1969.
1970: Weekend of Terror
Conrad starred in the TV movie "Weekend of Terror" in 1970.
1971: The D.A. and Other TV Movies
Conrad reprised his role in "D.A.: Conspiracy to Kill" and starred in the series "The D.A." and other TV movies in 1971.
1972: Assignment Vienna
Conrad starred in the short-lived series "Assignment Vienna" in 1972.
1974: Columbo Appearance
Conrad guest-starred in an episode of "Columbo" titled "An Exercise in Fatality" in 1974.
1975: Murph the Surf Release
Conrad starred in the film "Murph the Surf" in 1975.
1976: Baa Baa Black Sheep Begins
Conrad started his role as Pappy Boyington in "Baa Baa Black Sheep" in 1976.
1976: Baa Baa Black Sheep Premieres
The series "Baa Baa Black Sheep," starring Robert Conrad, premiered in 1976.
1977: Sudden Death Release
Conrad starred in the film "Sudden Death" in 1977.
1977: First Divorce and Meeting LaVelda Fann
In 1977, Robert Conrad divorced his first wife, Joan, after 25 years of marriage and five children. He also met his second wife, LaVelda Ione Fann, that same year at the Miss National Teenager Pageant.
1978: People's Choice Award and Centennial
Conrad won a People's Choice Award and starred in the miniseries "Centennial" in 1978.
1978: End of Baa Baa Black Sheep
"Baa Baa Black Sheep" (later Black Sheep Squadron) ended in 1978.
1978: The Duke
Conrad starred in and directed episodes of the short-lived series "The Duke" in 1978.
1978: Baa Baa Black Sheep Ends
"Baa Baa Black Sheep" concluded in 1978.
1979: The Wild Wild West Revisited
Conrad reprised his role as James West in the TV movie "The Wild Wild West Revisited" in 1979.
1979: The Lady in Red and A Man Called Sloane
In 1979, Robert Conrad starred in the film "The Lady in Red", playing John Dillinger, and the series "A Man Called Sloane", a modern take on James West. He also directed some episodes of "A Man Called Sloane".
1980: More Wild Wild West
Conrad again played James West in the TV movie "More Wild Wild West" in 1980.
1980: Coach of the Year
Robert Conrad starred as a paraplegic coach in the television movie "Coach of the Year" in 1980. This movie was produced by his company, A Shane Productions.
1982: Will: G. Gordon Liddy
In 1982, Robert Conrad played the title role in the television movie "Will: G. Gordon Liddy", produced by his company, A Shane Productions.
1984: Hard Knox
In 1984, Robert Conrad produced and starred in "Hard Knox", an unsold pilot for a proposed TV series where he played a retired Marine Colonel who becomes a teacher at a military prep academy.
1984: Walk of Western Stars
In 1984, Robert Conrad received a star on the Walk of Western Stars in Newhall, California.
1985: Moving Violations
Robert Conrad appeared in the comedy film "Moving Violations" in 1985, playing the role of a Police Chief.
1986: Television Movies and WrestleMania 2
During 1986, Robert Conrad appeared in the TV movies "The Fifth Missile", "Assassin", and "Charley Hannah's War". He also served as a special guest referee at WrestleMania 2.
1986: WrestleMania 2 Appearance
In 1986, Robert Conrad served as the special guest referee for the main event of WrestleMania 2, a Steel Cage Match between Hulk Hogan and King Kong Bundy.
1987: High Mountain Rangers
In 1987, Robert Conrad starred alongside his sons in the television series "High Mountain Rangers", portraying a family of wilderness rescue and law enforcement officers.
1989: Jesse Hawkes
Robert Conrad reprised his role as Jesse Hawkes in the reworked series "Jesse Hawkes" in 1989. This time, Hawkes and his sons become bounty hunters in San Francisco.
1994: Samurai Cowboy and High Sierra Search and Rescue
Robert Conrad starred in the movie "Samurai Cowboy" in 1994. He also started working on a reboot of "High Mountain Rangers" with "High Sierra Search and Rescue".
1996: "Hazard" Music Video and Jingle All the Way
In 1996, Robert Conrad appeared in the music video for Richard Marx's song "Hazard" and had a supporting role in the film "Jingle All the Way" with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
2002: Dead Above Ground and Nash Bridges
In 2002, Robert Conrad appeared in the film "Dead Above Ground" and an episode of the TV series "Nash Bridges".
March 31, 2003: Car Accident and Drunk Driving Conviction
On March 31, 2003, Robert Conrad was involved in a serious car accident, resulting in his conviction for drunk driving.
2005: Kevin Burnett's Death
In 2005, Kevin Burnett, the driver of the other car involved in the 2003 accident with Robert Conrad, died from complications related to his injuries.
2005: Screen Actors Guild Presidential Run
In 2005, Robert Conrad ran for President of the Screen Actors Guild.
2006: The Wild Wild West DVD Introductions and Stuntmen's Hall of Fame
In 2006, Robert Conrad recorded audio introductions for the first season DVD release of "The Wild Wild West". He was also inducted into the Hollywood Stuntmen's Hall of Fame for his work on the series.
2008: Interview and Friendship with Michael Spilotro
In a 2008 interview, Robert Conrad mentioned his friendship with Michael Spilotro.
2008: The PM Show with Robert Conrad
Robert Conrad began hosting "The PM Show with Robert Conrad" on CRN Digital Talk Radio in 2008.
2008: The PM Show with Robert Conrad
Starting in 2008, Robert Conrad began hosting "The PM Show with Robert Conrad", a weekly national radio show on CRN Digital Talk Radio.
July 2010: Pappy Boyington Field Documentary
Robert Conrad appeared in the documentary film "Pappy Boyington Field", released on DVD in July 2010, sharing insights about the aviator he portrayed in a TV series.
2010: Second Divorce
Robert Conrad and his second wife, LaVelda Fann, divorced in 2010.
July 18, 2019: Final Radio Show Appearance
On July 18, 2019, Robert Conrad made his last appearance on his radio show, "The PM Show with Robert Conrad", co-hosted by Mike Garey.
February 8, 2020: Death of Robert Conrad
Robert Conrad passed away on February 8, 2020.