biography
Born Krekor Ohanian in Fresno, California, on August 15, 1925, actor Mike Connors grew up in an Armenian community in Fresno. Upon graduation from high school,
Connors served in the United States Army Air Force during World War II. Upon his discharge, he entered UCLA, where he played basketball and was given the nickname
"Touch." Famed director William Wellman saw the young basketball player and encouraged him to give acting a try. Although Connors had originally intended to study
law, he soon began studying acting. Connors eventually signed with by Famous Artist Agency, and agent Henry Willson combined his nickname "Touch" with Connors to
give the actor his stage name. His hard work paid off when he was cast in his first film, the RKO film noir thriller Sudden Fear (1952; with Joan Crawford,
Jack Palance, Gloria Grahame, and Bruce Bennett). In 1953, Connors
finally worked under Wellman's direction in the adventure Island in the Sky (1953; with John Wayne, Lloyd Nolan, and James Arness). 
After a terrific start as a supporting actor in several high-profile films, Connors soon found himself at American-International Pictures as the star of low-budget films for Roger Corman, including Five Guns West (1955; with Dorothy Malone), the first film directed by Corman; Swamp Women (1955; with Marie Windsor and Beverly Garland); The Day the World Ended (1955; with Richard Denning, Lori Nelson, and Adele Jergens); and Shake, Rattle & Rock! (1956; with Lisa Gaye). Connors also stayed busy in television, making guest appearances on such shows as Gunsmoke and The Gale Storm Show. Toward the end of the 1950s, Connors dropped the moniker "Touch" and began using the first name Michael, which soon gave way to Mike. His first television series starred Connors as an undercover agent in the CBS series Tightrope (1959-1960). The show didn't last long, so Connors went back to work in films and television until he was cast in the title role of the CBS actioner Mannix (1967-1975). Connors won a Golden Globe in 1970 for his portrayal of the gritty detective Joe Mannix. |
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the films of mike connorsSwamp Women (1955) 
From Roger Corman's crime flick Swamp Women. This film aired on Mystery Science Theater 3000 as episode 503. LEFT: With Marie Windsor and Susan Cummings. RIGHT: With Carole Mathews, Jil Jarmyn, and Marie WindsorThe Day the World Ended (1956) 
From Roger Corman's apocalyptic sci-fi effort The Day the World Ended. LEFT: With Adele Jergens. RIGHT: Connors wrestles with hero Richard DenningShake, Rattle & Rock! (1956)
From the American International rock-and-roll drama Shake, Rattle & Rock! with Lisa GayeFlesh and the Spur (1957)
From the American International western Flesh and the Spur with John Agar and Marla EnglishVoodoo Woman (1957)
With Marla English in the American International horror flick Voodoo WomanLive Fast, Die Young (1958)
With Mary Murphy in the Universal-International film noir Live Fast, Die YoungSuicide Battalion (1958)
With Jewell Lain in the American International war drama Suicide BattalionGood Neighbor Sam (1964)
With Jack Lemmon in the Columbia comedy Good Neighbor SamPanic Button (1964)
With Jayne Mansfield in the comedy Panic Button. Shot in the summer of 1962, this film sat on the shelf for two years before its 1964 releaseWhere Love Has Gone (1964) 
From Paramount's potboiler Where Love Has Gone. LEFT: Connors portrays the father of troubled teen Joey Heatherton. RIGHT: With Susan HaywardSituation Hopeless... But Not Serious (1965)
With Robert Redford in the Paramount war comedy Situation Hopeless... But Not SeriousKiss the Girls and Make Them Die (1966) 
LEFT: Connors as Kelly in the Eurospy film Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die. RIGHT: With Margaret LeeMannix (1967-1975 CBS TV Series) 
LEFT: Promotional photo from Connor's series Mannix. CENTER: With series regular Gail Fisher, who portrayed Peggy Fair from 1968 to 1975. RIGHT: With Dane Clark in a 1970 episodeAvalanche Express (1979) 
From the 20th Century Fox thriller Avalanche Express. LEFT: With Lee Marvin. RIGHT: With Lee Marvin and Robert Shaw. Shaw died during the production of this filmlater yearsMike Connors slowed his acting career in the 1990s, and after a 2007 appearance on the CBS series Two and a Half Men, he retired from acting. He did the commentary track on the Mannix DVD sets and was an occasional interview subject. Sadly, Mike Connors passed away one week after being diagnosed with leukemia at age 91. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou, his daughter, and granddaughter. |
filmographyFILM
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This page premiered February 12, 2009.
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