Honorary actor Robert Conrad is no longer with us, but his legacy lives on through his roles in ‘The Wild Wild West’ and numerous other films and television shows.
His wife and children, along with millions of spectators, bear testimony to his legacy. Throughout his life, Robert was surrounded by a great large family.
Wife and Children of Robert Conrad
Unlike most stars in Hollywood, who choose to marry later in life, Robert married at the age of 17! In 1952, Robert eloped and married Joan Kenlay. Surprisingly, their youthful love survived for more than two decades.
He and his wife had five children together. Nancy Conrad, Christy Conrad, and Joan Conrad were their three daughters, and Shane Conrad and Christian Conrad were their two boys.
The pair had been married for 25 years before deciding to separate in 1977. Robert chose to remain single for six years after their divorce. He was originally thought to be gay, but he politely rejected it.
It was until he met his second wife, LaVelda Ione Fann, that he changed his mind. He fell in love with the young lady, and they married in 1983. People reacted negatively to their age difference because Robert was 48 at the time and LaVelda was only 23.
But they were madly in love and couldn’t be stopped. Despite their significant age disparity, their marriage lasted well over two decades. Kaja Conrad, Chelsea Conrad, and Camille Conrad are their three daughters. However, things broke wrong between Robert and his second wife LaVelda, and their 27-year marriage dissolved in 2010.
Robert Conrad has stayed unmarried since then, while LaVelda has found another partner. But he had fond recollections of his wife and nothing but kind words for LaVelda. He stated to People,
“I never expected to dance more than once, but LaVelda is the most honest and genuine person I know.”
The marriage may not have survived, but his relationship with his children was unbreakable. Furthermore, the children were inspired by their fathers, and the majority of them went into the same industry.
Joan Conrad is his eldest child. She has worked in the profession, although as a TV producer rather than an actress.
She has stayed quiet in recent years, however upon her marriage to Timothy Erwin, her son Jesse Erwin followed in his grandfather’s footsteps and entered the acting industry.
Nancy Conrad, his daughter, is also an actor. She is also the chairman and creator of The Conrad Foundation. Similarly, his son Christian Conrad has acted in a few films and television shows, including appearances alongside his father.
His son Shane Conrad, who acted in films such as ‘Brady Bunch,’ joins the roster of actors. Conrad’s blood is rich in talent. Chelsea Conrad inherited the brilliance gene as well, but she chose a different path than her father and brothers.
Chelsea Conrad, not the model, was an ambitious jazz vocalist who went on to become a successful businesswoman.
However, not all of the Conrad children opted to stay in the spotlight. Robert’s daughters, Kaja, Camille, and Christy, have avoided the profession and live a private life.
The siblings are all grown up now, yet they still have a close relationship. They have a solid relationship despite coming from different moms, courtesy of Robert’s nurturing and discipline-instilling upbringing.
Even in his latter days, Robert was a guy full of love. In reality, he traveled to Spain in his 80s to pursue love one last time.
He stated to The Olive Press,
“I’d like to fall in love once more! I adore women. I’ve been divorced for four years and I’m still unhappy.”
He continued,
“Right now, I’d like to have a good woman in my life. I’d like to have one final love before I leave.”
Robert Conrad was a caring individual. His legacy lives on via his family and the legions of fans who remember him from his memorable roles.
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