William Conrad
Biography
William Conrad was an American actor who also produced and directed, building a five-decade career in radio, film and television. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, he grew up watching movies at his parents' theater and began in radio at a Los Angeles station, writing, announcing and directing. He estimated more than 7,500 radio roles and originated Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, a part he played for nine years. He was often cast on screen as a threatening figure, and The Killers (1946) may be the part that first earned him credit. He also appeared in Body and Soul (1947), Sorry, Wrong Number (1948) and The Naked Jungle (1954). He narrated Rocky and Bullwinkle and The Fugitive and later produced and directed for Warner Bros. Stardom came as a detective in Cannon and Nero Wolfe and as a district attorney in Jake and the Fatman. The National Radio Hall of Fame elected him posthumously in 1997.
73years old at death
- Born Louisville
- Died Los Angeles
- Star sign: LibraThe sign runs September 23 to October 22
- John William Cann Jr. (birth name)Also credited as John William Cane Jr.
Movie Career
- Films
- 20
- Career span
- 34 years1946 to 1980
Genres
Share
Did you know?!
Big break
Conrad was originally rejected for the role of Marshal Matt Dillon on radio's Gunsmoke because his voice was so familiar from other radio dramas, but his audition won him the part.
A role that slipped away
When Gunsmoke moved to television in 1955, CBS executives refused to cast Conrad or his radio co-stars, despite a campaign to change their minds.
A first
During his radio career, Conrad put the number of roles he played at more than 7,500, by his own estimate.
About the name
Conrad was tied to a contract with CBS Radio, so at times he used the pseudonym "Julius Krelboyne" when he turned up on programs broadcast by other networks.
Behind the camera
Conrad served as executive producer of Countdown, a 1968 science-fiction thriller with James Caan and Robert Duvall. It was the major studio feature debut of director Robert Altman.
A first
Conrad was given one of the two lead-metal falcon statues from the classic 1941 film The Maltese Falcon by Jack L. Warner, head of Warner Bros., as a token of appreciation.
William Conrad movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Ava Gardner appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Ava Gardner's page
James Mason's page
Burt Lancaster's page
Barbara Stanwyck's page
Robert Ryan's page
Gino Corrado's page
Also two films together8 more actors
- James BurkeLone Star (1952) and Body and Soul (1947)
- Ed BegleyLone Star (1952) and Sorry, Wrong Number (1948)
- Sam LeveneDial 1119 (1950) and The Killers (1946)
- Cyd CharisseEast Side, West Side (1949) and Tension (1949)
- Gregg BartonThe Conqueror (1956) and The Racket (1951)
- Lloyd GoughTension (1949) and Body and Soul (1947)
- George MontgomeryBattle of the Bulge (1965) and The Sword of Monte Cristo (1951)
- Paul FierroOne Way Street (1950) and Sorry, Wrong Number (1948)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.