Mike Connors' Final Years after Playing a Private Detective on 'Mannix'

Mike Connors, the actor who laid his claim to fame on television playing the title role in the popular, long-running private eye series "Mannix," died at the age of 91 in Los Angeles.

Actor Mike Connors attends "Primetime TV Crimefighters" at Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre on November 1, 2010 in North Hollywood, California | Photo: Getty Images

The "Mannix" series birthed a new era of detective movies as it was a deviation from the usual crime movies at that time. In this series, the main act was a regular all-around guy that wasn't afraid to show emotions.

Mike Connors during Museum of TV & Radio's Fourth Annual Celebrity Golf Classic at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, United States | Photo: Getty Images

Connors' role as Joe Mannix earned him several nominations. The crime investigator actor was nominated four times for the Emmys and seven times for the Golden Globe awards, winning it once in 1970.

Mike Connors during 1998 Sheeba Humanitarian Awards at Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, United States | Photo: Getty Images

The "Mannix" actor who is of Armenian descent was born Krekor Ohanian on August 15, 1925, in Fresno. As a tall and athletic basketball player, he was nicknamed "Touch" in high school by his teammates.

He served as an enlisted man in the United States Army Air Force. After his time in service, Connor proceeded to UCLA on a basketball scholarship, where he majored in Law.

Mike Connors during 3rd Annual Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Celebrity Golf Classic at Rivera Country Club in Los Angeles, California, United States | Photo: Getty Images

Actor Mike Connors attends the signing of Bob Newhart's book "I Shouldn't Even Be Doing This" at Borders on September 26, 2006 in Westwood, California | Photo: Getty Images

Together, they share a son Matthew Gunnar Ohanian, and a daughter, Dana Lee Connors. The couple, however, lost their son a few years after he was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

The loss of their son prompted them to become advocates of mental health. Connors, at the time of his death, was survived by his wife, daughter, son-in-law, and grand-daughter, Coper Wills.

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