William Conrad: The Versatile Voice of Old-Time Radio

Enjoys some shows

My Love Comes Home (Whistler, The) - 24th July 1946

Born to Hang (Dirt) - 27th November 1960

Snake Doctor - West Coast Broadcast (Escape) - 14th February 1948

William Conrad was a true renaissance man of old-time radio, leaving an indelible mark on the medium through his prolific acting, directing, and narration work. With his deep, resonant voice and commanding presence, Conrad became one of the most recognizable and sought-after performers in the golden age of radio.

Early Life and Background

William Conrad (born John William Cann Jr.) was born on September 27, 1920, in Louisville, Kentucky. His parents, John William Cann and Ida Mae Upchurch Cann, owned a movie theater, and young Conrad grew up surrounded by the magic of the silver screen. The family later moved to Southern California, where Conrad attended Excelsior Union High School in Norwalk and majored in drama and literature at Fullerton College in Orange County.

After honing his skills as an announcer, writer, and director at Los Angeles radio station KMPC, Conrad's career took an unexpected turn when he enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Serving as a fighter pilot, Conrad was commissioned as a captain in 1943 and went on to become a producer-director for the Armed Forces Radio Service.

Entry Into Radio

Returning from the war, Conrad quickly established himself as a prolific and versatile radio actor, appearing in a wide range of programs throughout the 1940s and 1950s. He estimated that he played over 7,500 roles during his radio career, showcasing his remarkable range and adaptability.

Conrad's early radio credits included supporting roles in popular series like the espionage drama Suspense, the syndicated anthology Escape, and the adventure dramas Mutual Radio Theater and Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. He also lent his distinctive voice to high-adventure series like The Whistler and played memorable characters like the menacing policeman Warchek in the detective series Pat Novak, for Hire.

The Iconic Role of Marshal Matt Dillon

However, Conrad's most enduring radio role came in 1952 when he was cast as the gruff but principled Marshal Matt Dillon in the long-running Western series Gunsmoke. Despite initial concerns from the producers about Conrad's ubiquitous presence on the airwaves, his impressive audition won them over, and he became the definitive voice of the iconic lawman.

Conrad voiced Dillon for the show's nine-year run on radio, and he even wrote the June 1953 episode "Sundown." When Gunsmoke was adapted for television in 1955, the network executives opted not to cast Conrad or his radio co-stars, much to the disappointment of the show's loyal listeners.

Versatility and Acclaim on the CBS Radio

Workshop

In addition to his work on Gunsmoke and other popular series, Conrad also found critical acclaim for his performances on the prestigious CBS Radio Workshop. Described by radio historian John Dunning as a "lightning rod for ideas," the program showcased Conrad's remarkable versatility and depth as a performer.

Dunning singled out Conrad's "tour de force" performances in the 1956 broadcasts of "The Legend of Jimmy Blue Eyes" and "A Matter of Logic," as well as his direction and narration of the 1957 adaptation of Edgar Lee Masters' "Epitaphs." Dunning also praised Conrad's powerful turn in the 1957 episode "1489 Words," which he described as "a lovely way to end a day, a decade, or an era."

Transition to Narration and Hosting

As Conrad's on-screen roles began to dwindle in the 1950s, he transitioned into a successful career as a narrator and host. His deep, authoritative voice became a familiar presence on television, lending gravitas to a wide range of programs.

From 1959 to 1964, Conrad narrated the beloved animated series Rocky and His Friends and its spin-off, The Bullwinkle Show. He also narrated the 1959-1960 series This Man Dawson and the crime drama The Fugitive from 1963 to 1967.

In addition to his narrative work, Conrad served as the host of the annual CBS All American Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcasts throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s, anchoring the network's holiday coverage of parades from across the United States and Canada.

Resurgence as a Leading Man

Despite his success as a narrator and host, Conrad never abandoned his acting ambitions. In the early 1970s, he found a new level of stardom when he landed the lead role in the popular detective series Cannon, which aired on CBS from 1971 to 1976.

As the eponymous private investigator Frank Cannon, Conrad showcased his commanding presence and versatile acting skills, earning critical acclaim for his portrayal of the tough but compassionate detective. The role also allowed Conrad to indulge his love of fine dining, as he famously quipped that Weight Watchers had "banned its members from watching the show" due to his character's girth.

Conrad's success on Cannon paved the way for additional leading roles in the 1980s and early 1990s, including the title character in the series Nero Wolfe (1981) and the district attorney Jason Lochinvar "J.L. Fatman" McCabe in the legal drama Jake and the Fatman (1987-1992).

Legacy and Influence

Throughout his remarkable career, William Conrad left an indelible mark on the world of old-time radio and beyond. His deep, resonant voice and commanding presence made him one of the most recognizable and sought-after performers of his era, and his versatility as an actor, director, and narrator ensured that he remained a constant presence on the airwaves for decades.

Beyond his professional achievements, Conrad was also an avid outdoorsman and accomplished fisherman, known for his prowess with light tackle. In 1972, he caught a 62-pound, 4-ounce sailfish in the Yucatán Channel of Mexico using just 6-pound test line, a feat that cemented his reputation as a skilled angler.

Sadly, Conrad passed away on February 11, 1994, at the age of 73, succumbing to a heart attack in Los Angeles. However, his legacy as one of the true giants of old-time radio endures, and he was posthumously inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1997 in recognition of his immense contributions to the medium.

Works and Appearances

Radio

• Suspense (1944-1948) - Supporting roles
• Escape (1946-1949) - Supporting roles
• Mutual Radio Theater (1947-1948) - Supporting roles
• Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar (1949-1952) - Supporting roles
• The Whistler (1947-1954) - Narrator
• Pat Novak, for Hire (1947) - Warchek, menacing policeman
• Gunsmoke (1952-1961) - Marshal Matt Dillon
• CBS Radio Workshop (1956-1957) - Acclaimed performances in "The Legend of Jimmy Blue Eyes," "A Matter of Logic," and "Epitaphs"

Television

• Rocky and His Friends (1959-1964) - Narrator
• The Fugitive (1963-1967) - Narrator
• Cannon (1971-1976) - Frank Cannon, private investigator
• Nero Wolfe (1981) - Title role
• Jake and the Fatman (1987-1992) - Jason Lochinvar "J.L. Fatman" McCabe, district attorney

Film

• The Killers (1946) - Character role
• Gorath (1962) - Narrator (uncredited)
• Geronimo (1962) - Narrator (voice, uncredited)

Other Media

• CBS All American Thanksgiving Day Parade (1970s-1980s) - Host
• American Sportsman (1970s) - Appeared in and narrated episodes
• The Lost Treasure of the Concepcion (1977) - Narrator
• Catastrophe (1977) - Narrator
• The Baseball Bunch (1979) - Narrator

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