Joan Kenlay, born Marjorie Joan Kenlay on April 16, 1936, in Cook County, Illinois, is an American woman who gained recognition for her association with the legendary actor Robert Conrad. Though many may know her as the former spouse of the late Robert Conrad, a legendary actor famous for his leading roles in celebrated television series like “The Wild Wild West” and “Baa Baa Black Sheep”, there is more to Joan’s story.
The couple’s marriage spanned over two decades, from 1952 to 1977, during which they raised a family together. While much of Joan’s life was spent under the spotlight due to her relationship with her famous husband, she managed to maintain a sense of normalcy and privacy for herself and their children.
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Early Life and Background
Joan Kenlay, born as Marjorie Joan Kenlay, entered the world on April 16, 1936. She hails from Cook County, Illinois, where she spent her early years. Joan was born to parents Floyd Marion Kenlay Sr. and Marjorie Beth Kenlay. Holding American nationality, she identifies with the white ethnicity and has a Polish descent background.
Growing up in a nurturing environment in Chicago, Joan had four siblings and a half-sister named Mary Alyce Christensen. They were a close-knit family, facing life’s challenges and achievements together. Her upbringing played an essential role in shaping the person she would become in her later years.
In pursuit of knowledge, Joan received her education at the Sacred Heart, an esteemed institution in the region. It was here that she fostered a diverse array of skills and prepared herself for the professional world. As she matured, Joan also had ties to Louisville, Kentucky, which allowed her to expand her perspectives and experiences.
As Joan Kenlay progressed through life, she eventually met and married Robert Conrad, an actor known for his role in the show Hawaiian Eye. She gained prominence as his first wife, but her identity transcends just that; she is an individual with her own unique story, background, and personal journey.
Career Journey
Acting Career
Although Joan Kenlay is widely known for her relationship with Robert Conrad (born Conrad Robert Norton Falk)– a popular actor who starred in series like “The Wild Wild West”, “Hawaiian Eye”, and “Black Sheep Squadron” – her own acting career seems to be less documented. She was an American lady who came into fame mainly because of her former partner. There isn’t much information available on her acting career, if there was one.
Singing Career
Similarly, no concrete evidence about Joan Kenlay’s singing career could be found. The main focus around her life has primarily been on her marriage with Robert Conrad, who had an extensive acting and singing career. Though, it is noteworthy that Robert Conrad himself was a singer, which could lead to speculation about whether Joan was involved in any musical projects with him.
Directorial and Producing Roles
In terms of directorial and producing roles, again, not much information can be found about Joan Kenlay’s involvement in the entertainment industry. The spotlight has always been on her ex-husband, Robert Conrad, who achieved fame with roles in TV shows such as “Nash Bridges” and “High Mountain Rangers”. It is known that Joan took on the role of a financial manager for Robert, handling his financial matters even after their divorce.
Relationship with Robert Conrad
Marriage and Children
Joan Kenlay first gained recognition as the wife of late American actor and singer Robert Conrad. The couple got married in the 1950s, when Conrad was making a name for himself in the entertainment industry. Their marriage produced five children, who have mostly remained out of the public eye.
During their time together, Robert Conrad achieved great success with roles in popular TV shows such as “The Wild Wild West” and “Hawaiian Eye”. Joan Kenlay likely played a significant role in supporting her husband’s career, being present during his rise to fame in the 1960s and 1970s.
Separation and Divorce
Unfortunately, Joan Kenlay and Robert Conrad’s marriage didn’t last, and the couple decided to part ways. They separated after decades of marriage and eventually finalized their divorce. Details of the separation and specifics of the divorce agreement, including alimony payments, remain undisclosed. However, it is believed that Joan Kenlay received some financial benefit from the divorce, given that her ex-husband Robert Conrad had a net worth of $10 million.
After the divorce, Robert Conrad moved on and entered a second marriage with LaVelda Fann, while Joan Kenlay maintained a more private life. Despite the end of their marriage, both Joan Kenlay and Robert Conrad will forever be connected by their shared history and the family they created together.
Family Life
Joan Kenlay was born on April 16, 1935, in Cook County, Illinois, United States. She is the daughter of Floyd Marion Kenlay Sr. and Marjorie Beth Kenlay. Growing up in a Christian family, Joan had four siblings and a half-sister named Mary Alyce Christensen.
In 1952, Joan married Robert Conrad, a late legendary actor known for his role in the series “The Wild Wild West” (1965-1969), among others. The couple had a long-lasting marriage of 25 years before getting divorced in 1977. Throughout their marriage, Joan and Robert were blessed with five children – two sons and three daughters.
One of Joan’s daughters is Lavelda Ione Fann, who also pursued a career in the entertainment industry. Lavelda is an actress best known for her work on “The Hundred Code” (2015) and “Hell’s Kitchen” (2013). As for the rest of Joan’s children, information on their lives and careers remains private.
Despite being known primarily as the ex-wife of Robert Conrad, Joan has maintained a relatively low profile and has led her own life beyond the spotlight. Due to this, limited information is available about her relationship with her children or other family members. Nevertheless, it can be inferred that the Kenlay family holds strong Christian values and has produced talented individuals over time.
Later Life and Death
Net Worth and Fortune
In her later years, Joan Kenlay lived a relatively private life, away from the spotlight of her ex-husband, Robert Conrad. Details about her net worth and personal fortune are limited due to her private nature. Nevertheless, during her marriage with Robert, she shared in his success as an actor, which likely led to a considerable fortune.
Heart Failure and Death
Unfortunately, information about Joan Kenlay’s later years and eventual demise is hard to come by. While there have been no confirmation or reports about her death, it is known that her ex-husband Robert Conrad experienced a serious car accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury and left him partially paralyzed. He subsequently passed away due to heart failure at the age of 84. It is possible that Joan’s health or age also took a toll on her, but without specifics, any claims about her heart failure or death would be speculation.
Legacy and Rememberance
Joan Kenlay, born as Marjorie Joan Kenlay on April 16, 1936, in Cook County, Illinois, is best known as the ex-wife of the late actor, singer, and stuntman Robert Conrad. Though primarily recognized for her relationship with Conrad, Joan lived a life of her own, leaving a legacy to be remembered.
Joan and Robert were married in 1952 and throughout their 25-year-long marriage, they had five children together. Even after their divorce in 1977, Joan maintained a connection with her children and their lives. She sadly passed away on January 6, 1998, leaving behind a family of five children and eleven grandchildren.
While Joan’s ex-husband Robert Conrad enjoyed a successful acting career, Joan contributed to her family’s legacy by supporting her husband’s philanthropic endeavors. One way she contributed was through the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that helps injured veterans and their families. As a family, Joan and Robert helped raise awareness and financial support for this project, which continues to have a significant impact on the lives of wounded soldiers and their loved ones.
Another organization that held importance for the family was the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. With a passion for giving back to the community, Joan and Robert’s support for this foundation contributed to providing educational scholarships for children of Marine Corps members, enabling these children to pursue higher education and build better futures.
Although Joan’s primary claim to fame was her marriage to Robert Conrad, her involvement in causes such as the Wounded Warrior Project and the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation contributed to the legacy she left behind. Thanks to her support, countless families have been impacted by these organizations’ efforts, making Joan Kenlay a figure worth remembering.
