Conrad Bain
With a gentle, authoritative presence, he became a beloved American TV father figure in two of the 1970s' most popular sitcoms.
1923–2013 (age 90)·Canadian-American actor·Birthday: February 4·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Conrad Bain’s face and voice became a fixture in American living rooms, embodying a specific brand of paternal warmth and liberal-minded reason. The Canadian-born actor spent years honing his craft on stage and in television guest spots before landing his breakout role as the progressive next-door neighbor, Dr. Arthur Harmon, on the groundbreaking sitcom 'Maude.' His character’s friendly debates with the titular star showcased Bain’s talent for delivering sharp comedy with an unflappable calm. That steady presence made him the perfect choice for Phillip Drummond, the wealthy Manhattan widower who adopts two Harlem boys on 'Diff'rent Strokes.' As Drummond, Bain navigated the show's mix of broad comedy and social issues with a sincerity that anchored the series. His career, spanning over five decades, was defined not by flashy transformations, but by a reliable, nuanced decency that made him a trusted and comforting figure on screen.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Conrad was born in 1923, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Conrad Was Born
The biggest hits of 1923
#1 Movie
The Covered Wagon
Conrad's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1923Born
The Great Kanto earthquake devastates Tokyo
President: Calvin Coolidge"Yes! We Have No Bananas" — Billy Jones
1928Started school
Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin; Mickey Mouse debuts
President: Calvin Coolidge"Ol' Man River" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: Wings
1936Became a teenager
Jesse Owens wins four golds at the Berlin Olympics
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"The Way You Look Tonight" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: The Great Ziegfeld
1939Could drive
World War II begins; The Wizard of Oz premieres
Gas: $0.19/galMin wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Over the Rainbow" — Judy GarlandBest Picture: Gone with the Wind
1941Could vote
Pearl Harbor attack brings the US into WWII
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,060Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Chattanooga Choo Choo" — Glenn MillerBest Picture: How Green Was My Valley
1944Turned 21
D-Day: Allied forces land at Normandy
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,400Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Swinging on a Star" — Bing CrosbyBest Picture: Going My Way
1953Turned 30
DNA structure discovered by Watson and Crick
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,750Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Song from Moulin Rouge" — Percy FaithBest Picture: From Here to Eternity
1963Turned 40
JFK assassinated in Dallas; Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,100Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Sugar Shack" — Jimmy Gilmer & The FireballsBest Picture: Tom Jones
1973Turned 50
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1983Turned 60
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1993Turned 70
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2003Turned 80
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2013Died at 90
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
Key Achievements
- Played the leading role of Phillip Drummond for the entire eight-season run of the hit sitcom 'Diff'rent Strokes.'
- Portrayed Dr. Arthur Harmon, the neighbor and foil to Bea Arthur's Maude, for six seasons on the influential sitcom 'Maude.'
- Enjoyed a long and successful career in theater, including performances on Broadway in plays like 'Candida' and 'Uncle Vanya.'
Did You Know?
He was a twin; his brother, Bonar Bain, was also an actor who appeared in numerous Canadian television shows.
Before his acting career took off, he served in the Canadian Army during World War II.
He was a dedicated advocate for the Actors' Fund of America and served on its board of trustees.
Bain and his 'Diff'rent Strokes' television wife, Dana Plato, shared the same birthday (November 7).
“The best comedy comes from a place of absolute truth.”
