Michael Conrad
Michael Conrad was an American actor, perhaps best known for his portrayal of veteran cop Sgt. Phil Esterhaus on Hill Street Blues—a role for which he won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1981 and 1982. Among his other credits were the short-lived television series Delvecchio ; and the films The War Lord, They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, The Todd Killings, and The Longest Yard.
Life and career
Conrad served in the United States Army during World War II. He had a long acting career in television from the 1950s to the 1980s. In 1962 he appeared in the television series Car 54, Where Are You? in an uncredited part as a construction worker. He played Felton Grimes, the title character and murder victim, in the 1963 Perry Mason episode "The Case of the Bigamous Spouse", and in 1965 played the role of a villain named AC in My Favorite Martian, "Martin's Revoltin' Development", and played the role of Paul in The F.B.I., "The Man Who Went Mad by Mistake". He also had a notable supporting part in the 1969 film They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, about a depression-era dance marathon.In 1972, Conrad played Michael Stivic's conventional Polish-American Uncle Casimir on two episodes of All in the Family. The same year, he appeared, together with Richard Crenna and Alain Delon, in the French-language film Un flic, directed by Jean-Pierre Melville. He also had a memorable role in the 1974 film The Longest Yard, playing Nate Scarboro, a retired NFL tight end who was also the head coach for "the Mean Machine", the team of prisoners put together by Burt Reynolds's character Paul Crewe to play the team of guards.
During the 1976–77 season of Delvecchio, Conrad was a regular as Lt. Macavan.
Other notable films in which Conrad appeared throughout his career include Requiem for a Heavyweight, The War Lord, Blackbeard's Ghost, Castle Keep, Monte Walsh, The Todd Killings, Thumb Tripping, Scream Blacula Scream, and Harry and Walter Go to New York.
Conrad is perhaps best known for his role as List of [Hill Street Blues characters#Sergeant Philip "Phil" Freemason Esterhaus|Sgt. Philip Freemason Esterhaus] on the 1981–1987 police drama Hill Street Blues, a role he played for 71 episodes until his death.
Death
Conrad died from urethral cancer in November 1983, during the fourth season of Hill Street Blues. The show's writers wrote his death into the show, with the cast offering an affectionate tribute to their colleague and friend.Spouses
- Denise McCluggage
- Emilie Demille
- Sima Goldberg