What Was Robert Conrad's Net Worth?
Robert Conrad was an American actor and singer who had a net worth of $10 million at the time of his death. Robert Conrad was probably best known for starring in the television series "The Wild Wild West" from 1965 to 1969. He died on February 8, 2020, at the age of 84. He was survived by eight children and 18 grandchildren. At the time of his death, he owned a house in Thousand Oaks, California, and another in Malibu, where he passed away.
Early Life and Career
Conrad Robert Norton Falk, professionally known as Robert Conrad, was born on March 1, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois. His father, Leonard Henry Falk, was 17 years old when Conrad was born. His mother, Alice Jacqueline Hartman, was 15 years old when she gave birth. Alice was the first publicity director of Mercury Records. At Mercury Records, she went by the name "Jackie Smith." She later divorced Conrad's father and married Chicago radio personality Eddie Hubbard in 1948. Eddie Hubbard and Jackie Smith had one child together. The two split up in 1958.
At the age of 15, Conrad began working full-time in Chicago. He dropped out of school to work as a truck driver and load trucks. When he was at university, he studied theater arts at Northwestern University. These studies inspired Robert to pursue an acting career. One of his first paying roles was a job his mother was able to connect him to, posing outside a Chicago theater where the film "Giant" (1956) was screened. Conrad landed the job because he resembled the film's lead, James Dean.
Career
In 1957, Conrad met actor Nick Adams, and the two became fast friends. Robert expressed his desire to move up in the entertainment industry. Adams suggested that Conrad move to California because that was where all the big parts were. Conrad took his advice, and Adams immediately got him a bit part in the film "Juvenile Jungle" (1958). This brief role enabled him to join the Screen Actors Guild.
Soon after Conrad moved, Nick Adams helped him get signed with an acting contract with Warner Bros. He also sang and released several recordings with Warner Bros. In 1961, he had a minor "Billboard" hit song, "Bye Bye Baby."
Warner Brothers a successful detective show named "77 Sunset Strip" and a follow-up series "Hawaiin Eye." Conrad starred as detective Tom Lopaka in both series. In 1965, he had his first starring role as government agent James West on the show "The Wild Wild West," which aired on CBS until 1969. He did most of his own stunts and fight scenes.
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In addition to starring in "The Wild Wild West," Conrad pursued other business ventures. He formed his own company, Robert Conrad Productions, and with this company, he wrote, starred in, and directed the Western film "The Bandits" (1967).
In 1984, Robert was awarded a star on the Walk of Western Stars in Newhall, California (now a part of Santa Clarita).
In 2005, Conrad ran for President of the Screen Actors Guild. In 2006, he was inducted into the Hollywood Stuntment's Hall of Fame for his work on the "Wild Wild West" series.
From 2008 to 2019, he hosted a weekly two-hour national radio show, "The PM Show with Robert Conrad," on CRN Digital Talk Radio.
Personal Life
Conrad and his first wife, Joan, were married for 25 years. The two had five children and divorced in 1977. Later that year, he met his soon-to-be second wife, LaVelda Ione Fann. The two had three children before their divorce in 2010.
Conrad was joined on some television shows by his sons, Shane and Christian, and his daughter, Nancy. Another daughter, Joan, became a television producer.
Robert was involved with the not-for-profit organization Bear Valley Search and Rescue in Bear Valley, California, for many years. This organization and his involvement in it created the foundation for the television series "High Mountain Rangers."
On March 31, 2003, Conrad drove his Jaguar over the center median and slammed into a Subaru driven by Kevin Burnett. Conrad was tried on felony charges and pleaded no contest. As a result, he was convicted of drunk driving. He was sentenced to six months of house confinement, alcohol counseling, and five years probation.
In 2005, Burnett died at 28 years old from perforated ulcers. According to Burnett's family, these ulcers formed and worsened due to his difficult recovery from the crash. Conrad suffered severe nerve injuries from the crash, leaving his right side partially paralyzed.
Conrad died of heart failure in Malibu, California, on February 8, 2020, at age 84.
