| "When
I knew the concept for the Hazard video, I asked Bob if he'd
do the sheriff role, and he agreed without hesitation (or pay, for that
matter). He helped me in my acting scenes with him, just as he had when I
acted with him when I was a teenager. I
truly love this guy, and he seems to grow more cool and handsome with each
passing year." --RICHARD
MARX
"It was the coldest winter in the history of Chicago, and we shot outdoors. I even got to do a fight scene with Bob. My life was made." --RICHARD MARX, on his opportunity as a teen to appear with Robert (Oscar "Duke" Ramsey) Conrad in the TV show "The Duke" in 1979. The episode was titled "Nothing 'Cept Noise." Richard also appeared with Robert Conrad in the movie "Coach of the Year" (1980) that earned a high share in the Nielsens. Note to RC fans: Long before his concerts or screen appearances with Robert Conrad, you may have seen Richard before, --singing jingles for commercials created by his father, Dick Marx. Here's a summer 2000 photo of Richard and Robert that includes a few comments from the man himself; and additional photos of RC with the Marx family during the Hazard video shoot. New: An April 2007 interview with Robert Conrad hosted by syndicated radio personality Shadoe Steele.
Robert
Conrad MP3s & Music Video |
Photos of Christian and Shane Conrad, along with Robert's father, Leonard Falk Photos of Jim West |
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*The Night of the Bubbling Death is one of Richard's many favorite episodes. In the early years, Robert Conrad worked as a dairyman in Chicago but had his eye on a singing career, as well as hopes for acting. As is documented, Conrad eventually let go of his musical aspirations as he realized there were others that could do it better. However, under the Warner Bros. label, his recordings were released on a variety of LP soundtracks, EP (4 song records), and SP (2 song) records during the late '50s and early '60s. In addition, he performed on American Bandstand during that time, and is a friend of Dick Clark. Richard has one of his singles, "I Want You (Pretty Baby)." The following is a lesser known story: "Bob was my Dad's
milkman in the 50s, but they became friendly and Bob wanted to be a
singer. He knew my Dad was, in addition to being a pianist and arranger, a
vocal coach and asked Dad to teach him. They worked and worked on a song
called, 'How About You' that Bob was given a chance to sing on
live TV in Chicago. In the middle of the song, live, Bob forgot the words
and never got through the song. It shattered him then, but it became a
running joke between them for decades. To this day, Bob will call me up,
I'll say 'Hello' and I'll hear, 'I like New York in June, how about you...'
and I know who's calling." --RICHARD
MARX Here's Sinatra's rendition of the dreaded How About You (wav 87K)
In playing the sheriff in the Hazard music video, his acting
highlighted the elements of human complexity. He was the sheriff concerned with what was going on, thorough in his job, and one who demonstrated
great conviction. Yet others viewed his character as being overzealous, having questionable motives, and
left some wondering if he was responsible for Mary's
death.
About Robert Conrad... Real name: Conrad Robert Falk | Born: March 1, 1935 | Native Town: Chicago, Illinois Attended Northwestern University (Theater Arts major) Skip Ward, who went on to produce The Dukes of Hazzard, was the 20th actor to audition for the role of James West, --right behind Robert Conrad who was 19th. Conrad is the only actor to be inducted into the Stuntman's Hall of Fame. During the W3 series, Conrad performed live stunts at rodeo shows where fellow stuntman, friend, & cast member R.M. Cangey would make an unsuspected jump from the stands to knock Conrad off the horse and the struggle would end in a gunfight. Once security suffered a severe scare as they didn't know it was just an act. Conrad often would sing at these events as well. Conrad has boxed, and is learned in the martial arts. During his residence in the High Sierras, he was an avid skier. His competitive nature earned him a championship in a senior-division skiing competition. Robert's sons, Shane & Christian Conrad, are also actors. Notable appearances include Christian's guest starring roles on Star Trek Voyager and L.A. Heat while Shane played the big man on campus in "The Brady Bunch Movie" (1995).
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