Peggy was played by Gail Fisher, one of very few African-American women with a weekly . Follow along on their journey. Born August 15, 1925 Died January 26, 2017 (91) Add to list Nominated for 4 Primetime Emmys 1 win & 11 nominations total Photos 99 Known for Mannix 7.4 TV Series Joe Mannix 1967-1975 194 eps The Ten Commandments 7.9 Amalekite Herder (as Touch Connors) 1956 Swamp Women 3.3. Together they had a son, Matthew Gunner Ohanian, and a daughter, Dana Lou Connors. Later interviews revealed him to have been acutely aware of the transitory nature of TV stardom and exceedingly grateful for his one opportunity to shine. In 1956, he played an Amalekite herder in Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments. Connors, of Armenian descent. 0:52. Mike passed away in January 2017. He had just made his film debut in Sudden Fear with Jack Palance and Joan Crawford. Mike Connors's full name is Krekor Ohanian and his nickname is Mike Connors. His son-in-law, Mike Condon, says the actor died Thursday afternoon, Jan. 26, 2017, at a . While the show wasn't as prominent in his home country, it became a hit in Mexico for some reason. She died in 2017. Connors, however, reminded her that he had not been married long and was still in love with his wife. The only thing he ever said about his wife was: "I'm the luckiest guy on the planet. Leos. [9], After Connors became an actor, his agent Henry Willson thought the name "Ohanian" was too similar to the actor George O'Hanlon and gave him the stage name "Touch Connors" based on his basketball nickname. In 1969,for the role in the series Mike won aGolden Globe Award. He. In 1959, his son Jeffrey joined him on The Rifleman set. Connors, however, reminded her that he had not been married long and was still in love with his wife. Interview with "Mannix" star Mike Connors, as he is reunited with the long-lost convertible he drove in the 1968-69 seasons of the TV series. [17], Connors starred as an undercover police officer who infiltrated organized crime in Tightrope! [13], Connors' final appearance was in a 2007 Two and a Half Men episode, as a love interest of Evelyn Harper (Holland Taylor). Even then, Lou stuck with him, even when his mother and her friends disowned him, saying he would eventually come to his senses. [1], Mannix remained a hit show through its final season. Family Life He married Mary Lou Willey in 1949. Connors brushed her off, saying hed have loved to, but he had an appointment and could not stay much longer. Connors was born Krekor Ohanian, Jr. (Armenian: ), on August 15, 1925, in Fresno, California, to Armenian parents Krekor and Alice (ne Surabian) Ohanian. Mike Connors, who starred as a hard-hitting private eye on the long-running television series Mannix , has died. Friends and fans took to Twitter to remember Connors: #RIP the great Mike Connors. Sadly, such a legendary actor died Thursday at the age of 91. [1] His father was an attorney and represented many Armenians who had little money and could not speak English. [2] He was considered for the role of Tarzan by casting director Ruth Burch, who found him an acting coach. His ability to work was affected by the amount of energy it took for "Mannix," which had left him with a bad back and bad knees. ", As Touch Connors, the actor also appeared in a few television series such as "Schlitz Playhouse," "The Lineup," "The Millionaire," and "The Loretta Young Show. Connors is seen here with his friend, actor Peter Graves, at the Mission Impossible and Airplane star's Hollywood Walk of Fame induction ceremony in 2009. Connors married Mary Lou Willey in 1949. [25] Connors both starred in and produced the independent horror film Too Scared to Scream (1985). We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. The two love birds lived a fulfilled life and loved each other to the end, so much that after almost seven decades together, they did not want to be apart when the time came. When he got home, he was shocked that his wife was already aware of what had transpired between him and Lana. With that, he got into his car and drove home to his wife. His mother wanted him to become an attorney. Mike died from leukemia in Tarzana, California, on 26 January 2017, aged 91. Note that the actor studied law at the University and intended to become a lawyer. Chuck Connors married Elizabeth Jane Riddell in 1948, and they had four sons together. [13], When discussing the success of the series in an interview, Connors stated: "The show itself started a whole new era of detective shows, because this wasn't the usual cynical private eye la Humphrey Bogart. The nickname "Touch', Mike acquired on the basketball court where he first came to the attention of the director William A. Wellman who considered his features 'expressive'. A refreshing happy story for Hollywood. Jackson Connors after the ball game. [31] Through his daughter Dana, he had one granddaughter. Mike Connors was raised in his hometown, where he attended high school and was a basketball player in the schools team. [13], Mannix was originally produced by Desilu Productions (later absorbed by Paramount Television). Despite the show's popularity, it was cancelled after only one season. Unfortunately, he passed on from heart failure in 2007. Tall, handsome Armenian-American Mike Connors had a minor career in the movies before becoming a star on the small screen as the impeccably dressed . Mary Lou Willey is currently available. Sadly, at age 15, Matthew was diagnosed with schizophrenia and "ultimately had to be institutionalized. With that, he left Laguna Beach and returned to school. He is the son of actors Mike Connors and Marylou Connors. When he got home, he was shocked that his wife was already aware of what had transpired between him and Lana. At the time, she had dropped out of college and was home in Laguna Beach, where Connors was selling brushes and vacuum cleaners door to door to be close to her. Connors already was a veteran of film and TV shows when he landed the role of. [13], Connors was strongly considered to play Matt Helm in The Silencers (1966), but that role had eventually gone to Dean Martin. Mannix (1967-1975) was one of the most successful of the many private eye shows that were so popular in the late 1960s into the 1970s and, besides the cool swagger of star Mike Connors and the hottest theme song in TV history, it had one of my favorite characters of all time, Peggy Fair, Mannix' secretary. Jeffrey, born in 1952, and Kevin, born in 1956, died in 2014 and 2005, respectively. Mike debuted in the thriller movie Sudden Fear in 1952. [25], After his son's diagnosis, Connors became active in charitable organizations for mental-disorder patients. ", In retrospect, Connors said the only negative thing to have happened to them was the loss of their son. Who Is Mike Connors's Wife? Connors and his wife, Mary Lou, were married in 1949 and had two children: a son, Matthew, and a daughter, Dana. He retold how he and Lou lived in a tiny apartment off Sunset Boulevard. Connors met his future wife, Mary Lou Willey, when they were still students at UCLA, where Connors studied law on an athletic scholarship while Lou was studying education. They married in 1915 and had six children: Paul I, Paul II, Dorothy M., Arpesri A., Krekor, and Eugene. | Source: Getty Images. Mike Connors was happily married to Mary Lou Willey for 67 years. He was 91. His acting debut happened in the film Sudden Fear in 1952, credited as Touch Conners. Chuck Connors with his family, Source: Pinterest. Mike Connors was an actor and producer, known for Mannix, Tightrope, . The series only lasted one season. Required fields are marked *. But Not Serious (1965), in which Connors and Redford played American soldiers taken prisoner by a German villager played by Alec Guinness. Connors brushed her off, saying he'd have loved to, but he had an appointment and could not stay much longer. Sometimes it's hard to keep up with the latest celebrity news, but don't worry we have you covered. What was Chuck Connors net worth when he died? He mused:You then think, What is the grand scheme to take away such a terrific young man. Who knows, maybe there is a formula and scheme in the world that you have to accept no matter how hard and painful it is., Actor Mike Connors and wife Mary Lou arriving at Paramount Pictures 90th Anniversary part on July 14 2002. Family (1) Spouse Mike Connors ( 10 September 1949 - 26 January 2017) (his death) (2 children) Trivia (1) They are very successful people in the business and the nights are a lot of laughs. | Source: Getty Images. Boy Whose Father Was Killed Approaches Stepdad and Asks: 'Will You Be My Dad Forever? LOS ANGELES - Mike Connors, who starred as a hard-hitting private eye on the long-running television series "Mannix," has died. Sadly, at age 15, Matthew was diagnosed with schizophrenia and ultimately had to be institutionalized., Actor Mike Connors attends the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Primetime Television Crimefighters panel discussion at the Leonard H Goldenson Theatre on November 1, 2010 in North Hollywood, California. [15] Connors starred in and was the executive producer of Flesh and the Spur (1956). He was first signed by Goldwyn studios on a 90-day contract. Connors married Mary Lou Willey in 1949; together they had a son, Matthew Gunner Ohanian, and a daughter, Dana Lou Connors. He and his Perry Mason: The Case of the Bullied Bowler (1964) co-star Barbara Hale both died on January 26, 2017. The Untold Truth About Warren Buffett's Wife Astri Judge Faith Jenkins' Bio: Husband, Net Worth, Marr About Omer Fedi: Net Worth, Dating Addison Rae, He Who is SoLLUMINATI? Mike Connorss income source is mostly from being a successful Actor. (19591960) and Today's FBI (19811982). Connors met his future wife, Mary Lou Willey, when they were still students at UCLA, where Connors studied law on an athletic scholarship while Lou was studying education. . That same year, Connors was cast as Miles Borden, a corrupt US Army lieutenant bitter over his $54 monthly pay, on NBC's Wagon Train in the episode "The Dora Gray Story" with Linda Darnell in the title role. - IMDb Mini Biography By: I.S.Mowis Family (4) Trivia (17) He attended the "Hollywood Collectors & Celebrities Show", at Beverly Garland 's Holiday Inn, in North Hollywood, California. Tall, handsome Armenian-American Mike Connors had a minor career in the movies before becoming a star on the small screen as the impeccably dressed macho sleuth Joe Mannix. He. and The People's Choice and in two Rod Cameron syndicated crime dramas, City Detective and the Western-themed State Trooper, and played the villain in the first episode filmed (but second one aired) of ABC's smash hit Maverick, opposite James Garner in 1957. The Ten Commandments (1956)as Amalekite Herder, Your email address will not be published. Mike was engaged in the acting business since 1950 as a supporting actor in John Wayne's film Island in the sky. He went from being the son of immigrant parents to UCLA basketball star (Touch Connors) to television star of Mannix after being recruited by Lucille Ball to star in the Desilu series. Postscript: Mike Connors (1925-2017) Mike Connors, who had been born on August 15, 1925 in Fresno, California, died in Los Angeles on January 26, 2017, at age 91. He was born in New York and came to Australia in 1916 on a six-month stage contract as part of a vaudeville act, contracted by Benjamin Fuller.. After arriving in Australia, Connors met Queenie Paul whom he co-starred with in a revue.. Connors and Paul married in Newcastle on 17 . Bill of Rights, began in law school but eventually took up theatre studies as his major. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Source for information on Connors, Mike 1925- (Touch Conners, Michael Connors, Touch . Mike never had an opportunityto enjoy his son's success but did enjoy his daughter's success. Mike Connors and Mary Lou Connors at ROAST THIS! The Good Neighbor Sam actor always considered himself and Lou lucky to have lived the life they had. Unfortunately, he passed on from heart failure in 2007. Actor Mike Connors and wife Mary Lou at the Sportsman Lodge Luncheon on January 1 1977 | Source: Getty Images. Connors played the card shark in the remake of Stagecoach (1966). But besides a successful film career, the star also had a unique marriage, one of the very few in Hollywood that stood the test of time and weathered 67 years of temptation. One day he visited MGM, which was shooting a film starring Ricardo Montalban and Lana Turner. Speaking about his personal life, Mike Connors was married to Mary Lou Willey from 1949 until his passing; they had two children together. Bill of Rights, began in law school but eventually took up theatre studies as his major. Broken Sabre, Broken Bonnie Wright married Mike, Steve Connors a athlete! Then-president Lucille Ball pushed for CBS to keep the show on the air by removing the high-tech computers and making Mannix an independent detective. Web. We've had a great life. ", Mike Connors during Museum of TV & Radio's Fourth Annual Celebrity Golf Classic at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, United States | Photo: Getty Images. 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. For him, his family was the most important thing. Dana Lee Connors Net Worth. He was with John Wayne the day that Wayne was offered the part of Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke (1955), turned it down and suggested James Arness for the role of the Dodge City marshal. Tell us "why you have a crush on him" Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. ABC's gay anchor David Muir is not dating Gio Benitez; Has a New Boyfriend, Getting A Laser Tattoo Removal Appointment At The Finery New York City. An Evening with Muhammad Ali and Friends' at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, on November 16 2000 | Source: Getty Images. In 1952, a talent agent interviewed Connors. Their marriage ended in divorce and he married Kamala Devi in 1963. Follow along on their journey. Connors was invited to take on a lead role in the series on an ongoing basis, but the producers had actually wanted to pressure Burr into resigning his contract with the series. It is with deep sadness that we report the untimely passing of a good man, Jeff Connors, one of four sons born to actor Chuck Connors. 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