Getty Images; Bettmann/Contributor(LOS ANGELES) — Mike Connors, best remembered for playing Joe Mannix, the Korean War vet-turned two-fisted good-guy private eye in the hit TV series Mannix, has died at age 91, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The series, which ran on CBS for eight seasons through 1975 and made Connors one of television’s highest-paid actors, also featured Gail Fisher as Mannix’s secretary, Peggy Fair — a rare regular series role for an African-American woman at the time, one that earned her an Emmy and two Golden Globes. Connors also won a Golden Globe for his performance on the series.
Connors’ other TV credits include Tightrope, Today’s FBI and 1989’s Crimes of the Century, which he hosted. He also played Robert Mitchum’s war buddy in the miniseries War and Rememberance. His film credits include 1956’s The Ten Commandments and 1979’s Avalanche Express.
Born Kreker J. Ohanian, Connors served in the Air Force during World War II, and later played basketball at UCLA on a scholarship. Later in life, he was active in charitable organizations, and served as a spokesperson for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
Connors and his wife Mary Lou celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2005. They had two children together — son Matthew Gunner Ohanian and daughter Dana Lou Connors.
Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.