Conrad Janis was born on February 11, 1928 in New York City, New York. His father Sidney was an art dealer and writer, and his mother Harriet was also a writer.

Janis started his acting career on the radio when he was a child. He was 16 when he made his first Broadway appearance in “Junior Miss”. Janis went on to star in the 1945 film comedy “Snafu” then played supporting roles in such 20th Century-Fox productions as “Margie” and “The Brasher Doubloon”. His Broadway credits include “The Brass Ring” (for which he won a Theatre World Award), “Time Out for Ginger” and “Visit to a Small Planet”. Premature baldness forced him to switch from leading-man roles to character roles. A veteran of some 350 TV appearances, Janis was seen on a regular weekly basis as Otto Palindrome on the 1978 sci-fi spoof “Quark”, and as Mindy McConnell's dad, Fred on the sitcom “Mork and Mindy”. After the first season of “Mork and Mindy” (1978-1979), the producers decided to retool the show, and dropped Janis from the cast. During the second season, after the ratings took a beating, the producers realized they had made a mistake in firing Janis, and he was rehired in 1980, this time at a much higher salary. When the series ended, Janis continued to act in movies and made guest appearances on television. In 1994, he made his film directorial debut with “The Feminine Touch”.

In addition to acting, Conrad Janis is also an accomplished jazz musician. He played guitar early on, but was self-taught on trombone, which he did not start playing until he was nearly 21. From the 1950’s on, he freelanced with different bands in between acting jobs. Since the 1980’s, Janis has been the leader of the popular Beverly Hills Unlimited Jazz Band.

Conrad Janis is the owner/operator of a prominent avant-garde art gallery, and is in charge of his own production company, MiraCom.

Janis married Vicki Quarles (a model) on May 20, 1948 (divorced, June, 1957). His second marriage was to Ronda Copland on April 22, 1979 (divorced, April, 1982). He is currently married to his third wife, Maria Grimm. The couple wed on November 30, 1987. He has two children from his first marriage Christopher and Carin.

CREDITS:

Sweetwater - Howard
Toi et Moi - Director, Actor
Dorg...The Man-eating Crawfish from Kelly High - Director, Actor
Diagnosis Murder 2003 - Willy Andrews
Another Pretty Face 2002 - Walter Flynn
Addams Family Reunion 1998 - Herbert
The Rockford Files: Murder and Misdemeanors 1997 - Harvey
The Cable Guy 1996 - Father ("Double Trouble")
Frasier 1997-2002 - Albert
Mr. Saturday Night 1992 - Director
Sonny Boy 1990 - Dr Bender
Caddie Woodlawn 1990 - Reverend Tanner
Brewster's Millions 1985 - Businessman in Car
The Red-Light Sting 1984 - Bowman
Oh, God! Book II 1980 - Mr Benson
The Gossip Columnist 1980 - Ivan Block
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope in the Star-Makers 1980 - Roman Lear
Danny and the Mermaid 1978 - Psychiatrist
Quark 1978 - Otto Palindrome; designer of Perma One, the UGSP base
The Buddy Holly Story 1978 - Ross Turner
The Magnificent Magnet of Santa Mesa 1977 - Mr Kreel
There's Always Room 1977 - Stewart Dennis; the greeting card guy
Roseland 1977 - George
Rear Guard 1976 - German Captain
The Virginia Hill Story 1974 - Halley
Airport 1975 1974 - Drinker
Miracle on 34th Street 1973 - Dr Pierce
The Doctor 1952 - Performer
Actors Studio 1948 - Star
Margie 1946
Heonggong Ya Fungkwong - Jack
Bert Convy Special--There's a Meeting Here Tonight
Family Law - Judge Franklin
Mork and Mindy 1978-1979; 1980-1982 - Frederick McConnell
Murder, She Wrote - Jason O'Connell, Miles Hatcher
The Duchess and the Dirtwater Fox - Gladstone
The Happy Hooker - Fred
The November Conspiracy - Frank- Director, Actor
This Joint Is Jumpin'