Conrad Stafford Bain (February 4, 1923 – January 14, 2013) was a Canadian-American actor. His television credits include a leading role asPhillip Drummond in the sitcomDiff'rent Strokes (1978–1986), as Dr. Arthur Harmon onMaude (1972–1978), and as Charlie Ross inMr. President (1987–1988).
Conrad Bain was born inLethbridge, Alberta, the son of Jean Agnes (née Young) and Stafford Harrison Bain, who was a wholesaler. He was an identical twin with actorBonar Bain.[1][2] He first appeared in a play in his senior year of high school, which sparked his interest in theatre.[3]
Bain also found work on television; in 1966 he appeared in the cult supernatural soap operaDark Shadows as the town innkeeper, Mr. Wells, during seasons 1 and 2, before his character was killed.[7]
In 1962, Bain was one of the principal organizers of theActors Federal Credit Union, inspired by an actor who could not obtain credit at a local department store.[8][9] Bain served as the credit union's first president.[7]
He was cast by producerNorman Lear[3] as Dr. Arthur Harmon,Bea Arthur's title character's conservative nemesis, who married her best friend, Vivian, inMaude (1972–1978).[2][5]
Based on his success inMaude,[5] Bain was cast inDiff'rent Strokes (1978–1986) as Park Avenue millionairePhillip Drummond, who adopted two African-American orphaned boys fromHarlem, Willis and Arnold, to live with him and his daughter, Kimberly, and housekeeper, Mrs. Garrett.[4] In 1979, he played Phillip Drummond in an episode ofThe Facts of Life.[4] In 1996, Bain reprised his role of Phillip Drummond alongsideGary Coleman as Arnold Jackson on the series finale ofThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.[4]
