Was Robert Conrad Married When He Died

So, you’re wondering: Was Robert Conrad married when he died? Grab a coffee, lean in, and buckle up—because this is a Hollywood love story with more twists than a soap opera marathon. The short, snappy answer is yes, he was married. But the full story is juicier than a gossip column at a dental convention.

Robert Conrad—the tough-guy star of The Wild Wild West—passed away in February 2020 at the age of 84. He left behind a legacy of stunt-jumping, mustache-tweaking, and enough charisma to power a small city. And at the time of his death, he was happily married to his third wife, Jill Hennessy (not the actress, just a very patient human being).

Now, let’s rewind a bit. Conrad’s marital history is like a sitcom with dramatic commercial breaks. He married his first wife, Joan Kenlay, in 1952—back when Eisenhower was president and TV dinners were a gourmet achievement. That marriage lasted until 1977, and they had five kids. Imagine the chaos: five children and a man who regularly hung off helicopters. No wonder he needed a drink (or two).

Then came wife number two: LaVerne Vanzant, a flight attendant he married in 1979. But here’s the kicker—that union only lasted three years. Why? Because Hollywood marriages are like free samples at a grocery store: sometimes you get a taste, and it’s just not your brand. They divorced in 1982, and Conrad probably muttered, “That’s reality for ya.”

But then, like a plot twist from one of his own TV shows, he met Jill Hennessy in the mid-1980s. They married in 1987 and stayed together until his death in 2020. That’s 33 years of marital bliss—or at least, bliss mixed with the occasional explosion (remember, this guy once set himself on fire for a stunt).

Robert Conrad And Family

Here’s the surprising part: Jill was 22 years his junior. That’s not a scandal, just a math problem with a lot of eyebrow-raising. But Conrad said she was the one who finally tamed his wild streak. “She keeps me sane,” he joked. “Which is harder than jumping off a cliff.”

Now, for the truly bizarre fact: despite his reputation as a tough guy, Conrad was a massive cat lover. He and Jill had a house full of rescued cats, and he once said, “My cats are the only ones who don’t want me to fight.” Picture it: James West, nuclear-armed secret agent, cuddling a Persian cat named Mr. Whiskers. It’s almost too wholesome to believe.

And here’s a punchline you won’t see in his obituary: Conrad once sued a tabloid for claiming he was a bigamist. The paper said he’d married Jill while still wed to LaVerne. Nope—he was married sequentially, not simultaneously. Though, let’s be honest, with his energy, he could have handled two wives at once. But he chose monogamy. Mostly.

Robert Conrad Family Video With Ex Wife LaVelda Fann | RIP Robert

So, when you Google “Was Robert Conrad married when he died?” the answer is a firm yes. He was married to Jill, and they were still living together in California. No divorce, no drama, no last-minute Elvis impersonator wedding. Just a steady, low-key relationship that outlasted three decades and a million stunt injuries.

Now, a bit of pop culture trivia: Conrad’s character on The Wild Wild West was famously a womanizer. But in real life, he was a serial monogamist with a soft spot for cats and a weakness for flight attendants. Life imitates art, until art trips over a coffee table.

Robert Conrad Dies at 84: Star of 'The Wild Wild West' Survived by

Before we wrap up, let’s clear up a common myth: some people thought Conrad married his second wife twice (because they divorced and remarried briefly). False. That was a rumor started by a drunk journalist at a wrap party. Don’t believe everything you read, especially if it’s written on a napkin.

So, the final verdict? Robert Conrad was married, to Jill, when he died. He wasn’t single, he wasn’t dating a reality star, and he didn’t secretly marry a Kangaroo (though that would’ve been awesome). He was just a grumpy, lovable, cat-loving stuntman who found his person in a younger woman with a lot of patience. And that’s a wrap—literally, because he’s dead now. But his mustache lives on in reruns.

Next time you’re at a trivia night, and someone asks, “Was Robert Conrad married when he died?” you can smirk, sip your drink, and say, “Yes, to Jill, for 33 years. Also, he had a cat named Danger. True story.” Now, go forth and impress—or confuse—your friends with this wildly specific knowledge.