Mike Connors was born Krekor J. Ohanian on the 15th of August 1925, in Fresno, California, USA of Armenian ancestry, and beginning in the early 1950s, was an actor probably still best known for starring in the lead role of detective Joe Mannix in the CBS TV series “Mannix” for eight years from 1967. He also appeared in such TV series and film titles as “Tightrope” in 1959 and 1960, “Today’s F.B.I.” in 1981 and 82, and “James Dean: Live Fast, Die Young” in 1998. Mike passed away in January 2017.
Have you ever wondered how rich Mike Connors was? Authoritative sources have estimated that the size of Mike’s net worth was over $6 million, accumulated through his successful involvement in the entertainment industry which spanned well over 60 years.
Mike Connors Net Worth $6 Million
Mike Connors was raised in his hometown, where he attended high school and was a basketball player in the school’s team. During World War II, he served in the US Army Air Force, and when he returned home he enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles on a scholarship, where he studied Law, and played basketball. However, director William A. Wellman spotted his talent for acting, and soon after his career began.
His acting debut happened in the film “Sudden Fear” in 1952, credited as ‘Touch’ Conners. From that point, Mike built a CV of more than 100 roles, which steadily increased his popularity and net worth. Through the 1950s, Mike appeared in such productions as “The 49th Man”, “Island in the Sky” starring John Wayne, “Swamp Women” with Marie Windsor and Carole Mathews, “The Oklahoma Woman” alongside Richard Denning, and “Live Fast, Die Young” in 1958.
During the 1960s, Mike`s name became more known in Hollywood, and he had several starring roles, including in such films as “Good Neighbour Sam” with Jack Lemon and Dorothy Provine, “Where Love Has Gone” starring Bette Davis, and “Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die”. In 1967 he was cast in the role of Joe Mannix in the TV series “Mannix”, which ran until 1975 and marked his career, certainly adding a substantial amount to his net worth as he appeared in all 194 episodes. While the show lasted, Mike also starred in the film “Beg, Borrow, or Steal”, then after the end of the series, he continued with successful roles, including in “The Killer Who Wouldn`t Die” and “The Death of Ocean View Park”, among others.
Mike started the next decade with a role in “Casino”, and then in the TV series “Today’s F.B.I.” as Ben Slater during 1981 and ‘82. In 1985 he starred in “Too Scared to Scream” alongside Anne Archer, and from 1988 to 1989 he featured in the TV Mini-Series “War and Remembrance”, as Colonel Harrison “Hack” Peters, all continuing his popularity and adding to his net worth.
In the 1990s, Mike had several more notable roles, such as in “Downtown Heat”, “James Dean: Live Fast, Die Young” in 1997, and “Gideon” the following year. He repeated his role of Joe Mannix in the film “Nobody Knows Anything”, however, the film was a complete failure. His last appearance was in 2007, in an episode of the highly popular TV comedy series “Two and a Half Men”.
Mike received several prestigious awards, including the Golden Globe Award in the category of Best TV Actor- Drama, for his work on the TV series “Mannix”. He was also nominated for the Golden Globe five more times and for four Primetime Emmy Awards for the same TV series.
Speaking about his personal life, Mike Connors was married to Mary Lou Willey from 1949 until his passing; they had two children together. Mike died from leukemia in Tarzana, California, on 26 January 2017, aged 91.
