Russ Conway (born Russell Zink; April 25, 1913 â January 12, 2009) was a Canadian-American actor best known for playing Fenton Hardy, the father of The Hardy Boys in the 1956âÂÂ7 The Mickey Mouse Club serial.
Conway graduated from UCLA in 1937, and later earned a masterâÂÂs in theater arts and a teaching credential from UCLA. During World War II, Conway was in an Army special services unit. For several months, he was entertainment director at Ft. Ord before serving in the Philippines and later in Japan, where he worked as a producer and announcer for Armed Forces Radio.
He started acting in Hollywood in 1947. His film appearances included âÂÂTwelve OâÂÂClock Highâ (1949), âÂÂThe War of the Worldsâ (1953), âÂÂLove me Tenderâ (1956) and âÂÂWhat Ever Happened to Baby Janeâ (1962). His television guest spots included roles on âÂÂThe Fugitive,â âÂÂMod Squad,â âÂÂBarnaby Jones,â âÂÂMission Impossible,â âÂÂSea HuntâÂÂ, "The Lone Ranger", "Leave It To Beaver" and âÂÂThe Untouchables.âÂÂ
Conway's Broadway credits include Prologue to Glory (1938), The American Way (1939), Stop Press (1939), The Land Is Bright (1941), Johnny 2 X 4 (1942), and A Roomful of Roses (1955).
Conway died on January 12, 2009, in Laguna Woods, California, aged 95.