Michael Conrad

Michael Conrad is a film and television actor best known for his roles in "The Longest Yard" and "Hill Street Blues." Conrad made his television debut in 1955 on the long-running theater series "The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse," and soon landed steady work on such series as "Brenner" and "The Defenders." After landing recurring roles on such hit shows as "Gunsmoke" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show," in 1969 Conrad appeared as a dance marathon contestant in the award-winning film "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?." He worked steadily through the early '70s on such shows as "Love, American Style" and "All in the Family," and in 1974 he gave a memorable performance as a retired NFL player and prison football coach in "The Longest Yard." From 1976 to 1977 he appeared as Lt. Macavan on the police drama "Delvecchio," and cemented his reputation as a sought-after character actor with roles on "The Waltons" and "Barney Miller." In 1981 he was cast as Sgt. Phil Esterhaus in the Steven Bochco inner city police drama "Hill Street Blues," and won Emmy awards in 1981 and 1982 for his portrayal of the veteran cop.