Conrad Bain, a veteran stage and film actor who became a star in middle age as the kindly white adoptive father of two young African-American brothers in the TV sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes," has died.

Bain died Monday of natural causes in his hometown of Livermore, Calif., according to his daughter, Jennifer Bain. He was 89.

The show that made him famous debuted on NBC in 1978, an era when television comedies tackled relevant social issues. "Diff'rent Strokes" touched on serious themes but was known better as a family comedy that drew most of its laughs from its standout child actor, Gary Coleman.

Bain played wealthy Manhattan widower Philip Drummond, who promised his dying housekeeper he would raise her sons, played by Coleman and Todd Bridges. Race and class relations became topics on the show as much as the typical trials of growing up.

In the show's heyday, Bain didn't mind being overshadowed by the focus on the show's children. He praised Coleman and Bridges as natural talents without egos.

But "Diff'rent Strokes" is remembered mostly for its child stars' adult troubles.

Coleman, who died in 2010, had financial and legal problems in addition to continuing ill health from the kidney disease that stunted his growth and required transplants. Bridges and Dana Plato, who played Bain's teenage daughter, both had arrest records and drug problems, and Plato died of an overdose in 1999 at age 34.

Bain said in interviews later that he struggled to talk about his TV children's troubled lives because of his love for them. After Bridges started to put his drug troubles behind him in the early 1990s, he told Jet magazine that Bain had become like a real father to him.

Bain went directly into "Diff'rent Strokes" from another comedy, "Maude," which aired on CBS from 1972 to 1978.

As Dr. Arthur Harmon, the conservative neighbor often zinged by Bea Arthur's liberal feminist, Bain became so convincing as a doctor that a woman once stopped him in an airport seeking medical advice.

At a nostalgia gathering in 1999, he lamented the fading of situation comedies that he said were about something.

"I think they got off the track when they first hired a standup comic to do the lead," he said. "Instead of people creating real situations, you get people trying to act funny."

Before those television roles, Bain had appeared occasionally in films, including "A Lovely Way to Die," "Coogan's Bluff," "The Anderson Tapes," "I Never Sang for My Father" and Woody Allen's "Bananas." He also played the clerk at the Collinsport Inn in the 1960s television show "Dark Shadows."

A native of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, Bain arrived in New York in 1948 after serving in the Canadian army during World War II. He was still studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts when he acquired his first role on television's "Studio One."

A quick study who could play anything from Shakespeare to O'Neill, he found work in stock companies in the United States and the Bahamas, making his New York debut in 1956 as Larry Slade in "The Iceman Cometh" at the Circle in the Square.

With his plain looks and down-to-earth manner, he was always cast as a character actor.

It was an audition for a role in the 1971 film "Cold Turkey" that led Bain to TV stardom. He didn't get the part but "Cold Turkey" director Norman Lear remembered him when he created "Maude."

Conrad Stafford Bain attended high school in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, deciding on his life's work after an appearance as the stage manager in a high school production of "Our Town."

He married artist Monica Sloan in 1945. She died in 2009. He is survived by three children: Jennifer, Kent and Mark.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118064723/

That's sad, I've been watching "DS" season four on DVD.

I wasn't aware that he came out of retirement briefly for an episode of "Unforgettable" in 2011.

That's sad, I've been watching "DS" season four on DVD.

I wasn't aware that he came out of retirement briefly for an episode of "Unforgettable" in 2011.


Very sad news. We must all keep in mind, this decade 2010-2020 will most likely see the final passings of TV Mom's/Dad's who were in their late 50s-early 60s during the 1970s/1980s. Such a great performer and TV Dad Conrad was.


With his passing, he leaves other TV Mom's and Dad's of the 1970s and 1980s, those played by actors Bill Macy, Betty White, George Gaynes, Jean Stapleton and Charlotte Rae, just to name a few who are still with us today who starred in sitcoms from the 1970s-1980s..THE BEST TWO DECADES FOR SITCOMS.

One of the great sitcom Dads of all time. He was also great in Maude. R.I.P. Conrad. :(

One of the great sitcom Dads of all time. He was also great in Maude. R.I.P. Conrad. :(


Does anyone else know which other actors are still around who played TV Mom's and Dads from the 1970s-1980s that were around Conrad's age or older at the time? I named a few. Not sure if there are many more left.


I know the parents on shows like Growing Pains and Family ties are a lot younger. But those who looked like Grandparents during the 1970s-1980s, how many are left? Did I get that list complete?

It's sad, because all the legends are almost gone. We know there is a decade or less left before all the TV Mom's and Dads are gone from the 1970s-1980s who were "grandparent-like" in their looks and characters back then. Conrad lived a long life. Such a shame how he has to now join Gary and Dana, they should have lived long lives. He knew there was always trouble on the set as he used to state in interviews. I'm sure they're together today though, all hugging and having a good time in heaven :) Sad there's only Willis left now from the original Pilot cast...and Mrs. G.


Other classic sitcom stars such as Russel Johnson, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Al Molinaro, and a few others tat are around or older than Conrad was are also still with us today, too.

Another Canadian actor who found fame and fortune south of the boarder is now plying his trade in that great theater in the sky! Mr. D was one of my favorite TV Dads. :rip: Conrad Bain

Another Canadian actor who found fame and fortune south of the boarder is now plying his trade in that great theater in the sky! Mr. D was one of my favorite TV Dads. :rip: Conrad Bain


I read on his IMDB a few weeks ago that he was a twin. My prayers are with his family and his brother, and his surviving co-stars.

Very sad news indeed! He sounds like he was a stand up guy too.

:rip:

Here are some words from his DS co-star, Shavar Ross (Dudley):

"Mr. Bain was such a warm and caring man, very much like his character on the show — my sincerest condolences to the Bain family…HE WILL BE MISSED!!

: ("

http://shavarross.com/2013/01/16/diffrent-strokes-dad-conrad-bain-mr-drummond-dies-at-89/

:rip:

Here are some words from his DS co-star, Shavar Ross (Dudley):

"Mr. Bain was such a warm and caring man, very much like his character on the show — my sincerest condolences to the Bain family…HE WILL BE MISSED!!

: ("

http://shavarross.com/2013/01/16/diffrent-strokes-dad-conrad-bain-mr-drummond-dies-at-89/


Shavar Ross is really cool. He was the first person to ever e-mail me back of any celeb I wrote to before I moved to Los Angeles. In fact, he was the only one, really. I didn't write to anyone but him since he had his e-mail available for fans of his/Diff'rent Strokes. That's what Conrad's daughter described him as...a lot like Mr. Drumond in real life.


RIP Conrad :(

Very sad news. He will be deeply missed. We will have a tribute tomorrow on the blog and more details on marathons. Antenna TV will pay tribute to him with a marathon:

Antenna TV’s “Tribute to Conrad Bain”
Saturday, January 19, 2013
1-4p ET Maude
4-8p ET Diff'rent Strokes

So sad to hear this!!

My condolences to his family.

He was a great one, and he'll be missed by all!!! :(

I never knew that he had a twin brother!!! :eek:

Very classy and underrated actor. As someone else said one of the greatest TV dads of all time. Although I primarily know him from his work on DS, just from that series alone you could tell that Conrad Bain had incredible range able to handle both comedy and drama with aplomb.

Perhaps the thing that sticks out most in my mind about Conrad Bain is his keen observation around the time of DS as to how young actors were coming up in the industry expressing his dismay at their need to be catered to, noting and sadly accurately predicting the troubles that would befall the young cast of that show.

RIP Conrad. You will be missed and fondly remembered.

http://www.tmz.com/2013/01/16/todd-bridges-conrad-bain-dead/#ixzz2IAmausfP

Todd Bridges
'Deeply Saddened'
By Conrad Bain Death






Diff'rent Strokes" star Todd Bridges is inconsolable in the wake of Conrad Bain's death -- telling TMZ, he just spoke to Bain last week and everything seemed fine.

Bridges tells us, "I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Conrad as we were looking forward to celebrating his 90th birthday next month."

He added, "In addition to being a positive and supportive father figure both on and off-screen, Conrad was well-loved and made going to work each day enjoyable for all of us. He will be missed, but never forgotten."




TMZ broke the story ... Bain -- who played Phillip Drummond on the iconic show -- passed away Monday at a retirement home in Livermore, CA. He was 89.

Very sad news. He will be deeply missed. We will have a tribute tomorrow on the blog and more details on marathons. Antenna TV will pay tribute to him with a marathon:

Antenna TV’s “Tribute to Conrad Bain”
Saturday, January 19, 2013
1-4p ET Maude
4-8p ET Diff'rent Strokes

Thanks for the headsup, Pav. I figured ATV would do a marathon since they carry both shows.

http://www.tmz.com/2013/01/16/todd-bridges-conrad-bain-dead/#ixzz2IAmausfP

Todd Bridges
'Deeply Saddened'
By Conrad Bain Death






Diff'rent Strokes" star Todd Bridges is inconsolable in the wake of Conrad Bain's death -- telling TMZ, he just spoke to Bain last week and everything seemed fine.

Bridges tells us, "I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Conrad as we were looking forward to celebrating his 90th birthday next month."

He added, "In addition to being a positive and supportive father figure both on and off-screen, Conrad was well-loved and made going to work each day enjoyable for all of us. He will be missed, but never forgotten."




TMZ broke the story ... Bain -- who played Phillip Drummond on the iconic show -- passed away Monday at a retirement home in Livermore, CA. He was 89.


It's a shame Mr. Bain didn't get to celebrate that milestone birthday, but it is great that Todd stayed in touch with him right to the end.

Very sad to see another one leave us. I was kinda shocked by this, I thought he looked to be in good health and I think he aged well.

http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMzg3NTE2NTA2NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMTU2NTg2OA@@._V1._SX640_SY951_.jpg

Very sad to see another one leave us. I was kinda shocked by this, I thought he looked to be in good health and I think he aged well.

http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMzg3NTE2NTA2NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMTU2NTg2OA@@._V1._SX640_SY951_.jpg


Me, too.

That means that there are only 3 surviving cast members left of the show;

Todd Bridges, Shavar Ross and Charlette Ray!!! :(

:rip: Mr D

That means that there are only 3 surviving cast members left of the show;

Todd Bridges, Shavar Ross and Charlette Ray!!! :(

Danny Cooksey and Mary Jo Catlett are still with us.

So is Mary Ann Mobley (Maggie #2).

The most underrated TV Dad of all time and my favorite TV character on the show.

I just saw this on a news site. Shocked

I just saw this on a news site. Shocked


From the Drummond immediate family, everyone is dead.

With the adoptions...just Willis, by himself.

With Sam and the Maggie's....just Sam and the final Maggie are alive.

And with the houskeepers, jus Mrs. G. and Pearl are left.



All of Arnold's schoolmates are still with us, but they weren't on the cast. Strange...why wasn't Nedra Voltz ever in the opening credits when she became housekeeper 2? Or did she arrive in the middle of a season or something? Dudley should have been part of the cast in the final season when it moved to ABC...he was in a lot of the episodes.

R.I.P. "Mr. Drummond."

The most underrated TV Dad of all time and my favorite TV character on the show.

The kids, especially Gary, may have been the "stars", but Mr. Bain was the glue that held it all together. The show would not have worked without him.

I wasn't an ardent fan of the show but I did watch (and had a crush on Dana Plato at times). Todd is right that Conrad won't be forgotten. It was a hugely popular series and he was very, very good in it.

Is his twin brother still alive?

Is his twin brother still alive?

Yes, Bonar is still living.

I found this out last night when I was watching Diff'rent Strokes on Antenna TV. It's so sad it had to happen less than a month before he would have been 90. I'll be looking forward to the marathon on Saturday. This is one of the few times I'll actually be watching Antenna TV on a Saturday.

Danny Cooksey and Mary Jo Catlett are still with us.



Forgot about those two.

I just Googled Danny and found these pics of him - then & now.

His hair is even longer than it was when he was a little boy!!! :)

There's still one more - Steve Monk, but I can't find him.

From the Drummond immediate family, everyone is dead.

With the adoptions...just Willis, by himself.

With Sam and the Maggie's....just Sam and the final Maggie are alive.

And with the houskeepers, jus Mrs. G. and Pearl are left.



All of Arnold's schoolmates are still with us, but they weren't on the cast. Strange...why wasn't Nedra Voltz ever in the opening credits when she became housekeeper 2? Or did she arrive in the middle of a season or something? Dudley should have been part of the cast in the final season when it moved to ABC...he was in a lot of the episodes.

Yes, Nedra Voltz arrived in the middle of the 2nd season after Charlotte Rae was already long gone from the show to do the Facts of Life which she was busy with. Adelaide first came along in the episode when Phil was running for city council which was about late in season two. But in the next 2 seasons, she didn't appear in that many episodes. And I agree on Shaver Ross being part of the cast in the final season.

Forgot about those two.

I just Googled Danny and found these pics of him - then & now.

His hair is even longer than it was when he was a little boy!!! :)

There's still one more - Steve Monk, but I can't find him.

You mean Steven Mond?

Yes, Nedra Voltz arrived in the middle of the 2nd season after Charlotte Rae was already long gone from the show to do the Facts of Life which she was busy with. Adelaide first came along in the episode when Phil was running for city council which was about late in season two. But in the next 2 seasons, she didn't appear in that many episodes. And I agree on Shaver Ross being part of the cast in the final season.Adelaide should have remained the housekeeper and been a regular instead of Pearl.

Link (http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2013/01/17/janet_jackson_and_actor_todd_bridges_r)

Janet Jackson and actor Todd Bridges have paid tribute to their late Diff'rent Strokes co-star Conrad Bain following his death on Monday.

The actor, who played beloved patriarch Phillip Drummond in the hit comedy, passed away in California just weeks before his 90th birthday.

After hearing of his death, Jackson, who starred in the show between 1981 and 1982 before her music career took off, took to Twitter.com to remember the popular actor.

She writes, "I'm saddened to learn of Conrad Bain's passing. He was a joyful (and) pleasant man to work with. My heart goes out to his family and friends."

Meanwhile Bridges, who played Bain's adopted son in the sitcom alongside Gary Coleman, has also spoken about his personal memories of the star, who he saw as a father figure in real life.

He tells The Hollywood Reporter, "This is probably one of the most heart-wrenching days I've had in a long time. That Conrad's not going to be around anymore to talk to. Whenever I needed advice, I'd call Conrad.

"He was a really good man. He really was like Mr. Drummond. Just an all-around nice guy. He treated me better than my own father treated me."

Bridges is now the only surviving member of the sitcom's core cast - Coleman died after falling down a flight of stairs in 2010, while Dana Plato committed suicide in 1999.

R.I.P. "Mr. D"...with both Maude and DS, you lit up my childhood TV screen with warmth and talent, and you will be missed.

You mean Steven Mond?



Yes, THAT'S his name!!

He took a pic with Shavar Ross and Gary Coleman when they were all little! :)

Here's a link to the biography of all the cast members of the show. :)



http://www.sitcomsonline.com/dswhere.html

The biggest surprise about his death was that he was 89. Not that that's young, but I honestly thought this man was in his 90's.


:(

Here he is, then and now!! :)

Anyone else remember Danny Cooksey from "Terminator 2: Judgment Day?"

http://www.questionsleep.com/mindspill/?p=1500

He played Linda Hamilton's son in the film, didn't he? :confused:

He played Linda Hamilton's son in the film, didn't he? :confused:
No, he was a friend of John Connor who hung out with him at the video arcade, and tried to keep the T-1000 from going after him thinking he was just a cop.

Sad...

His brother may be celebrating his 90th birthday without his brother.

Now he and Gary Coleman are reunited in heaven.

http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/charlotte_rae_pays_tribute_to_conrad_HqzebyoyKtX3BDSbvJA4iM

Charlotte Rae pays tribute to Conrad Bain
EXCLUSIVE

By MARA SIEGLER
Last Updated: 2:30 PM, January 17, 2013
Posted: 1:00 PM, January 17, 2013

Charlotte Rae, who played Edna Garrett on both “Diff'rent Strokes,” and its spin-off “Facts of Life,” says she will “always cherish” working with her co-star Conrad Bain who passed on Monday at the age of 89.

“We used to call him Connie,” Rae tells Page Six exclusively. “He really was a very fine actor. I loved working with him… He was like a big brother to me when I worked on the show.”

Adding, “He was very warm and gave me interesting advice, like when I had to purchase a car.”

"He made me laugh," she says. "He told me that when he was on 'Maude,' playing a doctor, people would accost him at the supermarket or the post office and ask for medical advice. He would tell them he was only an actor but that didn't stop them. I think it was his warmth. They all wished they had a doctor like him."

Rae, who worked alongside Bain in all 24 episodes of the show’s first season continues, “I am sorry that he had to go. Look, I’m 87 in a couple of months and I’m enjoying my life to the max, but you know, it’s part of the process, and I will always cherish having worked with him.”

Bain’s daughter Jennifer Bain confirmed his death on Wednesday, just three weeks short of his 90th birthday.

Awwwww...what a nice tribute by Charlotte Rae. :D

Conrad grew up not far from where I grew up in Alberta! I didn't know he was even Canadian! Very very sad to hear of his passing. He was one of those people who you could tell was a genuinely kind and warm person inside and out. What a loss for classic TV lovers everywhere. :(
I find it so sweet that Todd and Conrad were so close in real life. He seemed like such a kind man!
R.I.P. :(

He just seemed universally loved. What a wonderful legacy.

Both Conrad Bain's daughter and Todd Bridges more or less said that he was basically the same guy as Phillip Drummond on Different Strokes. Kind, polite, wise and soft spoken.

Remember when he was the doctor neighbor on Maude? That guy was a jerk.

Yeah, Dr. Arthur Harmon could be obnoxious at times, but he got better when he hooked up with Vivian.

Yeah, Dr. Arthur Harmon could be obnoxious at times, but he got better when he hooked up with Vivian.
Everybody on Maude could be obnoxious at times. :lol: