Who was Conrad Janis? Tributes pour in as 'Mork & Mindy' actor dies aged 94

Conrad Janis passed away on March 1 at the age of 94. He was mostly known for his role as Fred McConnell in the ABC sitcom Mork &amp; Mindy. The news was confirmed by Janis’ business manager, Dean D. Avedon, who stated that the actor died due to organ failure from old age. He said:“Conrad and his wife Maria were clients of mine for over 35 years. They were two of the nicest, respectful, and generous people I know. I have many fond memories of Conrad telling me stories from his past. He was an amazing man that led a truly amazing life.”Leo Fosse@FosseLeoRIP 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 &amp; Mindy, starring Robin Williams and Pam Dawber from 1978 to 1982.9:57 AM · Mar 9, 20225918RIP 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 &amp; Mindy, starring Robin Williams and Pam Dawber from 1978 to 1982. https://t.co/6EvpUgmqtFPeter Avellino@PeterAPeelRIP Conrad Janis, the last of the three businessmen traveling together (and drinking boilermakers with Myrna Loy) in AIRPORT 1975.11:51 AM · Mar 9, 20228717RIP Conrad Janis, the last of the three businessmen traveling together (and drinking boilermakers with Myrna Loy) in AIRPORT 1975. https://t.co/X4LcqcEgLuEverything that is known about Conrad JanisConrad Janis was born on February 11, 1928. His father, Sidney, was an art dealer and writer. His mother, Harriet, was also a writer. Janis auditioned for a road company when he was 13 and spent the next two years with them. He started doing radio voice work at the time.Janis first appeared in the play Dark of the Moon during its pre-Broadway run and was spotted by a Hollywood talent scout. He stayed with the production while it was running in New York City and made his Broadway debut in 1945. He made his film debut with the comedy film Snafu the same year.Conrad Janis and Maria Janis attend Tim Hawkinson's Retrospective preview at LACMA and dinner at Chateau Marmont at LACMA and Chateau Marmont (Image via Scott Kolwchyk/Getty Images)Janis then played the role of Johnikins in the 1946 romantic comedy Margie. He also appeared in the 1947 crime film noir, The Brasher Doubloon.Janis made his television debut with Fit to Kill in November 1950 and played the role of Edward in the 1953 sitcom Bonino. He appeared on one episode of Get Smart and made a guest appearance as a dance marathon emcee on The Golden Girls.He has also appeared on other TV shows like Mork &amp; Mindy, The Buddy Holly Story, The Dutchess, and the Dirtwater Fox, among others. Janis was a longtime advocate of traditional jazz and assembled a gang of aging greats in 1949. These included James P. Johnson, Henry Goodwin, Edmond Hall, Pops Foster, and Baby Dodds. He then formed the Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band in the late 1970s and appeared multiple times on the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Netizens pay tribute on TwitterConrad Janis gained widespread recognition for his appearances in films and TV shows over the years. His fans expressed their grief on social media when they heard about his demise:Mike Barnes@MikeBarnes4#RIP Conrad Janis, 94; in a nice touch, the Dixieland trombonist played Fred McConnell, the owner of a music store — and Pam Dawber's dad — on 'Mork &amp; Mindy.' Earlier, the Fox contract player was replaced on the lot by Robert Wagner. bit.ly/3KxDMzU9:10 AM · Mar 9, 20224720#RIP Conrad Janis, 94; in a nice touch, the Dixieland trombonist played Fred McConnell, the owner of a music store — and Pam Dawber's dad — on 'Mork &amp; Mindy.' Earlier, the Fox contract player was replaced on the lot by Robert Wagner. bit.ly/3KxDMzURich Russo@DJRichRussoRIP 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 one10:46 AM · Mar 9, 202262RIP 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 https://t.co/ccsU6cPEHhDavid Pierce@drbombay76Just saw that Conrad Janis, Mindy’s dad from “Mork &amp; Mindy”, passed away at age 94 on March 1st. I can’t believe he was that old! I love that show. Now only Pam Dawber is left RIP Mr. Janis #conradjanis #morkandmindy12:28 PM · Mar 9, 202262Just saw that Conrad Janis, Mindy’s dad from “Mork &amp; Mindy”, passed away at age 94 on March 1st. I can’t believe he was that old! I love that show. Now only Pam Dawber is left 😢 RIP Mr. Janis #conradjanis #morkandmindy https://t.co/W1SfuF4DuODavid Brunt@David__BruntRIP Conrad JanisActor, musician, art gallery owner.Best known as Mindy's father in Mork and Mindy. A wry performance that worked well opposite Robin Williams' excesses.nytimes.com/2022/03/08/art…5:03 AM · Mar 9, 202233RIP Conrad JanisActor, musician, art gallery owner.Best known as Mindy's father in Mork and Mindy. A wry performance that worked well opposite Robin Williams' excesses.nytimes.com/2022/03/08/art…Fred Schreiber@RealElephantboy#RIP Actor Conrad Janis who played the father on Mork and Mindy dead at 944:22 AM · Mar 10, 202281#RIP Actor Conrad Janis who played the father on Mork and Mindy dead at 94Daniel Paisner@DanielPaisner“It just wouldn’t do to tell a knowledgeable art patron that ‘man, I dig Picasso the wildest.'&quot;#ConradJanis #RIPnytimes.com/2022/03/08/art…11:21 AM · Mar 10, 20221“It just wouldn’t do to tell a knowledgeable art patron that ‘man, I dig Picasso the wildest.'&quot;#ConradJanis #RIPnytimes.com/2022/03/08/art…Laffy@GottaLaffAww damn. #RIP to an old friend. Conrad Janis, Father on ‘Mork &amp; Mindy’ &amp; Much More, Dies at 94 (photo in article looks like when the band, incl my brother, played at Carnegie Hall) I knew Connie for years... big flirt! Funny, talented guy. nytimes.com/2022/03/08/art…11:17 AM · Mar 9, 202292Aww damn. #RIP to an old friend😥. Conrad Janis, Father on ‘Mork &amp; Mindy’ &amp; Much More, Dies at 94 (photo in article looks like when the band, incl my brother, played at Carnegie Hall) I knew Connie for years... big flirt! 😉 Funny, talented guy. nytimes.com/2022/03/08/art…Bill Smith ♊️@billcsRIP Conrad Janis, 94, who played Mindy's dad in TV's &quot;Mork &amp; Mindy&quot; with Robin Williams and Pam Dawber, also a noted stage and film actor, as well as a jazz trombonist. He was a familiar TV face with a flair for comedy. deadline.com/2022/03/conrad…7:30 AM · Mar 10, 2022RIP Conrad Janis, 94, who played Mindy's dad in TV's &quot;Mork &amp; Mindy&quot; with Robin Williams and Pam Dawber, also a noted stage and film actor, as well as a jazz trombonist. He was a familiar TV face with a flair for comedy. deadline.com/2022/03/conrad…Dave Proffer@deeptwitRIP Conrad Janis, great memory of his music talents when he and his band, Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band, played at bars on LA west side in 80's nytimes.com/2022/03/08/art…12:42 PM · Mar 10, 2022RIP Conrad Janis, great memory of his music talents when he and his band, Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band, played at bars on LA west side in 80's 🎺nytimes.com/2022/03/08/art…Sherri Rabinowitz@rithebardRIP Conrad Janis, the “Mork &amp; Mindy” star who played Mindy’s father, died on March 1 in Los Angeles, his business manager confirmed to The New York Times. He was 94. msn.com/en-us/tv/news/…1:50 AM · Mar 10, 2022RIP Conrad Janis, the “Mork &amp; Mindy” star who played Mindy’s father, died on March 1 in Los Angeles, his business manager confirmed to The New York Times. He was 94. msn.com/en-us/tv/news/…Janis is survived by his brother Carroll, two children from his first marriage (Christopher and Carin Janis), two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

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