http://xfinity.comcast.net/blogs/tv/2013/01/16/diffrent-strokes-dad-conrad-bain-dies-at-89/‘Diff’rent Strokes’ Dad Conrad Bain Dies at 89
Actor Conrad Bain, best known to audiences as the beloved TV dad from “Diff’rent Strokes,” died Monday night in his hometown of Livermore, Calif., family sources confirm to TMZ. He was 89.
The actor is believed to have died from natural causes.
Bain’s daughter Jennifer tells TMZ of her father: “He was an amazing person. He was a lot like Mr. Drummond, but much more interesting in real life. He was an amazing father.”
Bain is survived by his children, three sons and a daughter, and his twin brother Bonar Bain.
A gem from the golden era of the family sitcom, “Diff’rent Strokes” starred Bain as Philip Drummond, a millionaire who adopted two Harlem orphans after the death of their housekeeper mother and raised Arnold (the late Gary Coleman) and Willis (Todd Bridges) in his Park Avenue mansion along with his daughter Kimberly (the late Dana Plato). The hugely popular series ran on NBC from 1978 to 1986, and spawned the successful spinoff, “The Facts of Life.”
“I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Conrad as we were looking forward to celebrating his 90th birthday next month,” Todd Bridges told TMZ after learning of his costar’s death.
“In addition to being a positive and supportive father figure both on and off-screen, Conrad was well-loved and made going to work each day enjoyable for all of us. He will be missed, but never forgotten,” Bridges added.
Bain also played Dr. Arthur Harmon for four seasons on the ’70s series “Maude“; was a recurring guest star in the ’80s on “The Love Boat“; and got one of his first breaks on the cult 1960′s soap “Dark Shadows,” appearing as the Collinsport Inn’s clerk, Mr. Wells, for two seasons.
