Robert Conrad (born either Conrad Robert Falk or Konrad Robert Falkowski on March 1, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois, although the year is still subject to question), is an American film and TV actor and director. He is primarily known for the 1965-1969 television series The Wild Wild West, in which he played the title character, James West. Before The Wild Wild West, Robert played Tom Lopaka in Hawaiian Eye. In the mid-1970s he played World War II fighter ace Pappy Boyington in Baa Baa Black Sheep. His half-brother, Larry Manetti, also appeared in this series. In the late 1970s, Robert served as the captain of the NBC team for six editions of Battle of the Network Stars. He also played a modern day variation of James West in the short-lived secret agent series A Man Called Sloane in 1979, around the same time he reprised the role of West in a pair of made-for-TV films.