Conrad Bain's Net Worth
Conrad Bain was a renowned Canadian-born actor and comedian. At the time of his death in 2013, he had a net worth of $2 million. Bain gained immense popularity through his roles in the television sitcoms 'Maude' and 'Diff'rent Strokes.' He also appeared in the sitcom 'Mr. President' and acted in several films such as 'I Never Sang for My Father,' 'The Anderson Tapes,' 'Up the Sandbox,' and 'Postcards from the Edge.'
Early Life and Education
Conrad Bain was born on February 4, 1923, in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, to Jean and Stafford. He had an identical twin, Bonar, who also pursued acting. Bain attended the Banff School of Fine Arts before serving in the Canadian Army during World War II. After the war, he graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1948.
Television Career
Bain's television debut was in a 1952 episode of 'Studio One,' with a return appearance in 1956. Throughout the 1960s, he took on guest roles in various shows like 'Naked City,' 'The Defenders,' 'Dark Shadows,' and 'N.Y.P.D.' His major break came in 1972 as Dr. Arthur Harmon on the CBS sitcom 'Maude,' lasting until the show's end in 1978. He then starred in 'Diff'rent Strokes' as Phillip Drummond, a wealthy Manhattan businessman who adopts two black boys from Harlem, played by Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges. The show was a hit, running for eight seasons until 1986. During this period, he also appeared as Drummond in episodes of 'Hello, Larry' and 'The Facts of Life' and starred in the 1981 television film 'Child Bride of Short Creek.'
After 'Diff'rent Strokes,' Bain played Charlie Ross in the Fox sitcom 'Mr. President' from 1987 to 1988, alongside George C. Scott. The show featured Carlin Glynn, Maddie Corman, Andre Gower, and Madeline Kahn. Bain returned to television in 1993 with a guest role in 'The Adventures of the Black Stallion' and made his final acting appearance in 1996 in the series finale of 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,' reprising his role as Phillip Drummond alongside Gary Coleman.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Film Career
In the late 1960s, Bain began taking small roles in films like 'Madigan,' 'A Lovely Way to Die,' 'Coogan's Bluff,' and 'Last Summer.' He gained a significant role as Rev. Sam Pell in the 1970 drama 'I Never Sang for My Father.' Throughout 1971, Bain appeared in 'Fury on Wheels,' Woody Allen's 'Bananas,' Sidney Lumet's 'The Anderson Tapes,' and 'Who Killed Mary What's 'Er Name?' He portrayed Richard Nixon in Woody Allen's short mockumentary 'Men of Crisis: The Harvey Wallinger Story.' He appeared in 'A Fan's Notes' and 'Up the Sandbox' in 1972 and in 'C.H.O.M.P.S.' later in the decade. Bain's final film role was as Grandpa in Mike Nichols's 'Postcards from the Edge' in 1990.
Stage Career
Bain's theatrical career was equally impressive. In 1956, he appeared in a revival of Eugene O'Neill's 'The Iceman Cometh.' He went on to perform on Broadway in 'Candide,' 'An Enemy of the People,' 'Uncle Vanya,' and 'On Borrowed Time.' He also participated in the original, off-Broadway run of the play 'Steambath.'
Actors Federal Credit Union
In the early 1960s, Bain co-founded the Actors Federal Credit Union to help actors and performers access credit and loans. He served as its first president.
Personal Life and Death
Conrad Bain married Monica Sloan in 1945. They had two sons and a daughter. The couple remained together until Sloan’s death in 2009. Bain passed away on January 14, 2013, from a stroke in Livermore, California, at the age of 89.
