He appeared in another NBC Western series, The Californians. In 1958, Connors appeared in the title role of the episode “Simon Pitt”, the series finale of the NBC Western Jefferson Drum, starring Jeff Richardsas a frontier newspaper editor. He guest-starred 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’ssmash hit Maverick, opposite James Garner in 1957.Ĭonnors had roles in several of the earliest films Roger Corman directed: Five Guns West (1955), The Day the World Ended (1955), Swamp Women(1956), and The Oklahoma Woman(1956).Connors both starred in and was the executive producer of Flesh and the Spur (1956). He guest-starred on the early sitcoms, Hey, Jeannie! and The People’s Choice. He appeared in numerous television series, including the co-starring role in the 1955 episode “Tomas and the Widow” of the anthology series Frontier. In 1956, he played an Amalekite herder in Cecil B. He had initially been denied an audition by producer Joseph Kaufman due to his lack of experience, but after sneaking into Republic Pictures and meeting director David Miller, Connors was given a chance to read the script and was offered the part.Ĭonnors was cast in the critically acclaimed John Wayne film, Island in the Sky in which he was a crewman on one of the search-and-rescue planes.
Connors made his acting debut in a supporting role opposite Joan Crawford and Jack Palance in the thriller Sudden Fear (1952). His film career started in the early 1950s. After getting the starring role in Tightrope!, Connors wanted to be credited as Ohanian but Columbia Pictures told him that he had already done too much work as Connors, though he was allowed to change his first name to Mike “Touch” was his basketball nickname, and Willson considered “Connors” to be a “good all-American name”.Ĭonnors later stated he hated the name “from day one” and considered not using his real name the only big regret of his career. Wellman, who liked Connors’ voice and expressive face while he was playing basketball, and encouraged him to consider acting.Īfter becoming 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”. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.Īfter a basketball game, coach Wilbur Johnsintroduced Connors to his friend, director William A. Connors studied to become an attorney, like his father, and also went to law school. Bill, where he played under coach John Wooden. During World War II, he served as an enlisted man in the United States Army Air Forces.After the war, he attended the University of California at Los Angeles on both a basketball scholarship and the G.I. He was an avid basketball player in high school, who was nicknamed “Touch” by his teammates. They married in 1915 and had six children: Paul I, Paul II, Dorothy M., Arpesri A., Krekor, and Eugene.His father was an attorney and represented many Armenians that had little money and couldn’t speak English. on Augin Fresno, California to Armenian parents Krekor Ohanian, Sr.
In addition to his work on television, he appeared in numerous films, including Sudden Fear (1952), Situation Hopeless… But Not Serious (1965), Stagecoach (1966), Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die (1966), and Too Scared to Scream (1985), which he also produced.Ĭonnors was born Krekor Ohanian, Jr. Connors’ acting career spanned six decades. He starred in the short-lived series Tightrope! (1959–1960) and Today’s FBI (1981–1982). įrom Wiki- Krekor Ohanian ( Armenian : Քրէկոր Օհանեան Aug– January 26, 2017), known professionally as Mike Connors, was an American actor best known for playing private detective Joe Mannix in the CBS television series Mannix from 1967–1975, a role which earned him a Golden Globe Award in 1970, the first of six straight nominations, as well as four consecutive Emmy nominations from 1970–1973. Mike lived to be 91, passing away in 2017. 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.
The remarkable story of Krekor Ohanian who became known as Mike Connors, the Star of the tv series Mannix, can happen only in America.
0 kommentar(er)
