Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Report: Actor Robert Conrad Dies At Age 84
LA CBS ^ | Feb. 8, 2020

Posted on 02/08/2020 3:29:49 PM PST by Rastus

Actor Robert Conrad has died at the age of 84, according to a report.

The exact cause and location of his death were not immediately confirmed.

(Excerpt) Read more at losangeles.cbslocal.com ...


TOPICS: TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: 2; conrad; hollywood; robertconrad; thewildwildwest
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120 ... 161-177 next last
To: Rastus
Tman Martial Arts Magazine

Robert Conrad: -My martial arts began in 1957 and the "Wild, Wild West" went on the air in 1965. I did martial arts in 1960 with a guy named Bob Heron. I watched Toshiro Mifune’s moves (famed Japanese Samurai Actor) in the "Seven Samurai" (movie) and was amazed at his agility. I had to literally search to find an instructor back then, Ed Parker was coming from Hawaii and was not well know back then. No one knew Chuck Norris yet or Bill Wallace, etc.

The martial arts started to filter in at that time and I started by watching Toshiro Mifune. If someone asked me whom I feel is the best action actor of all time I would have to say Toshiro Mifune.

Ben Smith: You did your own stunts back then…do you ever complain about actors that are in action movies not doing their own stunts?

Robert Conrad: No. I am not judgmental. I don’t like to put down people and this machismo that I have was given to me by my mother, who was concerned about bringing up a boy without a father in the home. She worked on my confidence by putting me in the ring when I was six! My mother really did help me gain confidence in myself.

Ben Smith: What style did you train in?

Robert Conrad: The name of the first art I studied was "Kajukenbo", then I went into "Shotokan" and now we know there are so many different Japanese arts that evolved from "Shotokan". My original instructor was John Leone. When we did Wild, Wild West, I incorporated the styles I was introduced to as well as Flamenco dancing into a choreographed fluidity for the show and that was back in 1965.

Ben Smith: It seems dancing is very good in learning and developing balance. Bruce Lee was the Cha-Cha champion in Hong Kong when he was a teen, which proved to be as beneficial as his martial arts expertise when he got into movies.


I found the above looking for something I read or heard him say about his fighting style - that it incorporated a form of Chicago street fighting he learned growing up. A clue in the interview has his mother putting him "in the ring" at 6! Robert Conrad certainly had a unique fighting style. The time I talked to him he said his great pals were "the henchmen" on Wild Wild West. Whoever the bad guy was; his henchmen were the same guys wearing disguises.
81 posted on 02/08/2020 4:56:12 PM PST by \/\/ayne (I regret that I have but one subscription cancellation notice to give to my local newspaper.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: newfreep

I used to love “The Wild, Wild West’’. Never missed an episode.


82 posted on 02/08/2020 4:57:22 PM PST by jmacusa ("If wisdom is not the Lord, what is wisdom?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Zirondelle76

I am a manly man indeed so that it does not hurt my masculinity to say that it is obvious why women found him attractive.

Hell’s bells, I would like to have been that good looking. LOL


83 posted on 02/08/2020 4:57:24 PM PST by ChildOfThe60s (If you can remember the 60s........you weren't really there)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: yarddog

I have seen History/Discovery channel shows that recreated the “Baghdad” battery and they showed that is was possible to electro-plate with it. Now whether it actually happened or not, that is anyone’s guess.


84 posted on 02/08/2020 4:57:37 PM PST by txnativegop (The political left, Mankinds intellectual and political hemlock)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 78 | View Replies]

To: Joe 6-pack

I think the Hellcat originally caught the Japanese by surprise. They had developed tactics for use against the Wildcat. When they tried them against the Hellcat they did not work.


85 posted on 02/08/2020 4:58:36 PM PST by yarddog ( For I am persuaded.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 63 | View Replies]

To: MrEdd

Well, it’s Hollywood. Look what they did to Lord of the Rings and Dune.


86 posted on 02/08/2020 5:01:08 PM PST by Telepathic Intruder
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 77 | View Replies]

To: Rastus

He also pulled a girl’s ponytail in the 3rd grade. Don’t forget that.


87 posted on 02/08/2020 5:08:22 PM PST by LeonardFMason (Lou Dobbs)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: yarddog

“It was one heck of a fighter but I think the Hellcat was just as successful.”

19:1


88 posted on 02/08/2020 5:15:21 PM PST by CrazyIvan (The Democrat party. A collaboration of Cloward-Piven and Dunning-Kruger.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: Rastus

RIP Pappy!


89 posted on 02/08/2020 5:20:54 PM PST by Huskrrrr
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: yarddog

Amazing thing is, even as propellor driven aircraft go, the Hellcat was thought to be growing obsolete as the Pacific war proceeded, and was slated to be replaced by the F8 Bearcat before the war abruptly was ended by the A-Bomb.


90 posted on 02/08/2020 5:35:29 PM PST by Joe 6-pack (Qui me amat, amat et canem meum.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 85 | View Replies]

To: Rastus

Guy had a chip on his shoulders for years...


91 posted on 02/08/2020 5:38:58 PM PST by Vendome (I've Gotta Be Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB0ndRzaz2o)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Ruy Dias de Bivar

“Radio’s Matt Dillon (Gunsmoke) has passed away! Anyone remember hearing him on radio?”

William Conrad (Cannon) had a fabulous radio voice. Remember two stupid shows from the 70’s named Automan and Manimal? That was William Conrad saying, “And now... MANIMAL!” and “And now... AUTOMAN!!”


92 posted on 02/08/2020 5:40:31 PM PST by FXRP (Cogito, ergo Spam!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: newfreep

Wonder if anyone will get my joke...


93 posted on 02/08/2020 5:40:57 PM PST by Vendome (I've Gotta Be Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB0ndRzaz2o)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: newfreep

Nobody has mentioned his starring on Hawaiian Eye ( 1959-1963 ) which is one of my fave shows from that era and I have the complete series on DVD here with me in Japan . Will watch a couple of eps. tonight in his honor . Of course loved him in Wild Wild West too when I was a kid . Never missed that show and had to fight with my 4 sisters in order to watch it as we had just one set .


94 posted on 02/08/2020 5:42:55 PM PST by sushiman (i)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: MrEdd

Pappy Boyington was a total renegade in real life. Spouse met him at an airshow a long time ago and talked with him for quite awhile. Spouse is not easily impressed up or down but he was impressed with Pappy...on the downside.


95 posted on 02/08/2020 5:45:50 PM PST by TrueFact (Don't hang out with narcissists or dems...but I repeat myself.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 77 | View Replies]

To: TrueFact

A guy I used to know told me of a conversation he had with Tex Hill. He said Boyington was not well liked by the other Flying Tigers but they did admire his flying.


96 posted on 02/08/2020 5:50:21 PM PST by yarddog ( For I am persuaded.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 95 | View Replies]

To: gov_bean_ counter

I still remember those ads.


97 posted on 02/08/2020 5:51:49 PM PST by wally_bert (Your methods were a little incomplete, you too for that matter.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Reily

Hutch the mechanic did.


98 posted on 02/08/2020 5:52:50 PM PST by wally_bert (Your methods were a little incomplete, you too for that matter.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: gattaca

And we just watched him 2 months ago as Pasquinale on the Centennial mini series DVD set.


99 posted on 02/08/2020 5:52:57 PM PST by CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC ("Blessed are the young, for they shall inherit the national debt" - Pr. Herbert Hoover)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: FXRP
Both Conrads, Robert and William

100 posted on 02/08/2020 5:54:42 PM PST by FXRP (Cogito, ergo Spam!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 92 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120 ... 161-177 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson