Conrad Bain, ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ star, dies at 89 - UPDATED

Conrad Bain, the actor best known for his role on Diff’rent Strokes, has died at age 89.

Sources close to his family told TMZ that the Canadian actor died on Monday in Livermore, Calif. The site notes that the cause of death is not known.

UPDATE: The LA Times reports that his daughter told the AP that her father died of natural causes. He had been ill for some time, she said.

According to IMDb, Bain got his start in television in the mid-1950s and would go on to star in a few early episodes of Dark Shadows in 1966. He also made appearances in several films, including Woody Allen’s 1971 film Bananas. Next, he took the role of Dr. Arthur Harmon on Maude before landing the role of father figure Phillip Drummond on Diff’rent Strokes.

Bain starred alongside Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges on the series, which ran from 1978 to 1986.

After the show ended, he found roles on Mr. President and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. He made his last appearance in an episode of CBS’ Unforgettable in 2011.

He is survived by three sons, a daughter and his twin brother Bonar Bain. His death comes just days before his 90th birthday on Feb. 4.

image: YouTube