Celebrity News March 09, 2022
‘Mork & Mindy’ Star Conrad Janis Dead at 94
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Actor Conrad Janis, best known for his role on “Mork & Mindy,” has died at the age of 94.
Janis’ manager Dean A. Avedon confirmed that he died from organ failure due to old age. In a statement to People magazine, he said, “Conrad and his wife Maria were clients of mine for over 35 years. They were two of the nicest, respectful, and generous people I know. I have many fond memories of Conrad telling me stories from his past. He was an amazing man that led a truly amazing life.”
Janis died just six months after wife Maria Grimm. He is survived by his son Christopher, daughter Carin, and brother Carroll.
Janis’ acting career spanned more than 60 years. After making his Broadway debut in 1945, his first movie credit came later that year when he played a 14-year-old boy who enlists into the military in “Snafu.”
Janis worked on TV from the dawn of the medium, making his debut on a dramatic play aired on "Actor's Studio" in 1949.
He went on to appear on many classic TV series, including "Suspense" (1950-1951), "Get Smart" (1965), "The Love Boat" (1979), and "The Golden Girls" (1987).
In the late ’70s, Janis landed his most famous role, playing Mindy's dad Fred McConnell on “Mork & Mindy” (1978-1982), starring opposite Robin Williams. He played the overprotective father of Pam Dawber’s character.
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Janis appeared in the movies “Airport 1975” (1974), “The Happy Hooker” (1975), “Oh, God! Book II” (1980), “Nothing in Common" (1986), Mr. Saturday Night” (1992), and “The Cable Guy” (1996).
His last acting credit was in the 2012 film “Bad Blood,” the second film he directed from a script by Grimm.
Janis also acted on Broadway in shows like “The Brass Ring (1952),” “A Visit to a Small Planet” (1957), “The Front Page” (1969), and “Same Time, Next Year (1975)," and was both an accomplished jazz trombonist and an art expert.
