Michael Conrad was a stalwart American character actor who appeared frequently on television, best known for his recurring role as the desk sergeant Phil Esterhaus on Hill Street Blues (1981), for which he won twice Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Emmy Awards, in 1981-1982. Conrad died from urethral cancer during the shooting of the police drama's fourth season, five weeks after his 58th birthday. He made his debut on TV in 1955, and remained busy for almost 30 years, appearing in 25 TV movies. He also was a familiar supporting player in movies, including the original The Longest Yard (1974) with Burt Reynolds.