Canadian born film and television actor Conrad Bain passed away Monday at the age of 89. Mr. Bain was an accomplished theatrical and dramatic stage actor who studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts along with Charles Durning and Don Rickles (He also attended the Banff School of Fine Arts). Broadway soon came a calling and Bain worked in several major dramatic productions (The Iceman Cometh, Steambath) while appearing in several films (Coogan's Bluff, Woody Allen's Bananas, The Anderson Tapes) before landing the role of Dr. Harmon on the Sit-com "Maude".
After "Maude" went off the air, Bain co-starred in the film C.H.O.M.P.S. (along with Valerie Bertinelli) and appeared in a few bit parts on television before he snagged the role that would make him famous. As Mr. Drummond, adopted father to orphaned brothers Arnold and Willis Jackson (Gary Coleman & Todd Bridges) and Kimberly Drummond (Dana Plato) on the long running Sit-Com Diff'rent Strokes (the show lasted for eight seasons and had two spin-offs). When Diff'rent Strokes was cancelled, Bain would appear in another t.v. show (Mr. President) and appear in one more film (Postcards From the Edge) before retiring.
Conrad Bain was also a World War II veteran (serving in the Canadian Army) and he has an identical twin brother who was also an actor (Bonar Bain). He was also married to Monica Sloan for over 64 years until her death in 2009. The entertainment world has lost another great. He will be missed.
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