Michael Conrad

Overview

Michael Conrad was a powerfully built, towering New York-born American character actor, best known for his role as the pompous but beloved desk sergeant Phil Esterhaus on Hill Street Blues (1981), for which he won two Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Emmy Awards (1981, 1982). He also played Michael Stivic (Rob Reiner)'s uncle on an early episode of All in the Family (1971), who objects to his nephew's non-religious marriage ceremony to a non-Catholic. Conrad did a stint of military service with the U.S. Army Field Artillery before attended New York City College and later drama school. He made his television debut in 1955, moving to Hollywood in 1963. Conrad remained busy for almost 30 years, appearing in 25 TV movies. He was a familiar supporting player in films, including The Longest Yard (1974), and, early in his career, on stage. Conrad died from urethral cancer during the shooting of the police drama's fourth season, five weeks after his 58th birthday.
- IMDb mini biography by: Jon C. Hopwood

In accordance with his wish to be given a "memorable and amusing exit", the writers of Hill Street Blues (1981) addressed his death by writing his character out of the series by having it explained off camera his character died of a heart attack whilst having rigorous sex. Conrad's family gave the scriptwriters their approval to this explanation as it was in keeping with his mischievous sense of humor.
He served in the US Army during World War II.
Michael Conrad (Sgt. Esterhaus) is memorialized at the beginning of the November 24, 1983 episode of "Hill Street Blues", having died on November 22, 1983. As a random coincidence, this is 20 years to the day after the death of John F. Kennedy.
Born on exactly the same date as Dame Angela Lansbury (of "Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)" and "Murder, She Wrote (1984)" fame).

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