Robert Conrad Dies at 84: Star of “The Wild Wild West” Survived by Eight Children

Robert Conrad was an American actor and singer best known for his starring role as Secret Service agent James T. West in the hit 1960s television series The Wild Wild West, which ran from 1965 to 1969. At the time of his death in 2020, he had an estimated net worth of $10 million.

Two wives and 8 children

He married his first wife, Joan Kenlay, in 1952 when they were both 17. Their marriage lasted 25 years and produced five children: Joan, Nancy, Christy, Christian, and Shane. Several of them followed in his footsteps into the entertainment industry, working as actors and producers.

In 1983, Conrad married actress LaVelda Fann, whom he met while emceeing the Miss National Teenager Pageant, which she won. Despite a significant age difference—he was 43, she was 17—their marriage lasted 27 years and resulted in three daughters: Kaja, Camille, and Chelsea.

His children often joined him on set, and some appeared in his television projects, including High Mountain Rangers.

At the time of his death in 2020, Conrad was survived by his eight children and 18 grandchildren.

How did Robert Conrad die?

Conrad died of heart failure on February 8, 2020, at the age of 84, at his home in Malibu, California.

In his later years, Conrad faced ongoing health issues, many stemming from a serious car accident in 2003 that left him partially paralyzed on his right side. He had been convicted of drunk driving following the crash. Despite those challenges, he continued working in entertainment, hosting The PM Show with Robert Conrad from 2008 until 2019.

A private memorial service was held on March 1, which would have been his 85th birthday.