Another sad farewell. Since the new year, Hollywood is in grief over celebrity deaths.
In our hearts at all times. In the waning days of 2021, Hollywood grieved the losses of luminaries such as Betty White and John Madden. And sadly, 2022 also brought star deaths that left fans grieving.
Conrad Janis, a well-known celebrity, recently breathed his last breath. He was most recognized for his role as Frederick McConnell, Mindy McConnell’s father, in the television show Mork & Mindy.
There are a few more facts about him that you may not be aware of. Let me tell you about Conrad in detail if you don’t know who he is.
About Conrad Janis
Conrad Janis was an American jazz trombonist and actor. He was born on February 11, 1928, in Manhattan, New York City.
Conrad’s father, Sidney, was a writer and art dealer, and his mother, Harriet (Grossman), was a writer as well. Carroll was his only sibling.
At the age of 13, Janis successfully auditioned for a traveling company and spent the following two years with them. During this time, he also began doing radio voice work.
Conrad Janis, who just died at 94, is seen here playing WAY against type as a psychotic drifter on a 1950 episode of "Suspense." Stabbing poor Ruth McDevitt! Full obit for the actor/jazz trombonist/art dealer: https://t.co/PtLfzNnMH8 pic.twitter.com/5hcYarcGfY
— Matthew Rettenmund (@mattrett) March 9, 2022
He also appeared in The Buddy Holly Story and The Duchess and the Dirtwater Fox, both starring Goldie Hawn and George Segal. In the jazz bar sequence from Nothing in Common, Janis made a quick appearance as himself.
Janis played trombone on The Tonight Show and at Carnegie Hall, and he and his band, the Tailgate Five, made several records.
He also played banjo in the Beverly Hills Unlimited Jazz Band with actor George Segal.
When Did Conrad Janis Pass Away?
The trombonist passed away on March 1, 2022, at the age of 94. Dean A. Avedon, his business manager, confirmed his death to an outlet in a statement. And that’s pretty heartbreaking. We all will miss him.
If you’re wondering about Conrad Janis’s Cause Of Death, the actor passed away because of organ failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
R.I.P. to another talented man – Conrad Janis was a jazz trombonist and actor who played the role of Mindy's father on Mork & Mindy… but, he also led the Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band for a while and worked with my father down at Drum City and Clover Studios… ❤ pic.twitter.com/kBPCjtm05R
— Von Babasin (@VonBabasinIII) March 9, 2022
Conrad Janis Was A Great Actor
Janis starred in “Fit to Kill” on The Web on November 19, 1950, which was his first television appearance.
In 1953, he starred as Edward, the eldest son in the sitcom Bonino. Following that. He played a KAOS agent in an episode of getting Smart, guest-starred on The Golden Girls as a dance marathon emcee. And appeared in the sci-fi sitcoms Quark and Mork and Mindy.
RIP Conrad Janis, the last of the three businessmen traveling together (and drinking boilermakers with Myrna Loy) in AIRPORT 1975. pic.twitter.com/X4LcqcEgLu
— Peter Avellino (@PeterAPeel) March 9, 2022
He also appeared in The Buddy Holly Story and The Duchess and the Dirtwater Fox, both starring Goldie Hawn and George Segal.
Some other movies and shows of Conrad’s include:
The Brasher Doubloon, Sonny Boy, Maneater, Oh God book ||, The Gossip Columnist, Miracle On 34th Street, Airport 1975, and the list goes on!
He was definitely a favorite celebrity of people who are classic movies buffs, his last movie was “Mork & Mindy”.
RIP Conrad Janis, dead at 94. His first film role was in 1945, but he hit character actor paydirt playing Mindy's dad on 70 episodes of Mork & Mindy, starring Robin Williams and Pam Dawber from 1978 to 1982. pic.twitter.com/6EvpUgmqtF
— Leo Fosse (@FosseLeo) March 9, 2022
Conrad Janis Wife Also Passed Away Around 2 Years Ago
Janis was predeceased by his wife Maria Grimm, who passed away on Friday, December 6, 2019. (Two prior marriages sadly ended in divorce)
His son Christopher, daughter Carin, brother Carroll, and several extended family members are there. Maria Grimm performed in several movies and some of them are:
- Bad Blood (2012) as Eliza
- Wonder Woman (1977) as Lydia Moreno
- Lost on Paradise Island (1975) as Maria
- Kojak (1975) as Susan
RIP Conrad Janis, probably best known for his roles in Mork and Mindy, Get Smart etc, but was also a trombonist who released a few records including this one pic.twitter.com/ccsU6cPEHh
— Rich Russo (@DJRichRusso) March 9, 2022
Did you know about this celebrity and the death of his wife already? Have you watched any of their movies or TV shows so far? Do let us know in the comments section below. Conrad will always be missed.
