Conard Fowkes

Conard Fowkes was an American actor born on January 4, 1933, in Washington, D.C., who died on December 14, 2009, in New York City. His career spanned stage, film, and television across several decades, with particularly extensive work in daytime soap operas.

Fowkes made his Broadway debut in 1958 and continued performing on Broadway through 1972. His stage credits in that period included the comedy Howie, All the Girls Came Out to Play, and Minor Miracle. Beyond Broadway, he worked in off-off-Broadway venues, appearing in Jean-Claude van Itallie's America Hurrah during the 1960s at the Pocket Theater in Manhattan. In 1974, he performed in Julie Bovasso's Standard Safety and The Nothing Kid at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, returning to La MaMa in 1975 for three additional Bovasso productions: Schubert's Last Serenade, The Final Analysis, and The Super Lover.

Television audiences knew Fowkes primarily through his work in soap operas, which included Kitty Foyle, Dark Shadows, The Edge of Night, The Secret Storm, Hidden Faces, Search for Tomorrow, A Flame in the Wind, and As the World Turns. His film appearances included an uncredited role as a Board Member in the 1968 comedy What's So Bad About Feeling Good?, an uncredited part as a Cop in Narcotics Raid in the 1973 film Serpico, the role of Eddie White in the 1974 film Lovin' Molly, Agent Elroy Pendleton in the 1981 film Prince of the City, and a final screen appearance as a Caper Detective in the 1989 film Family Business.

Alongside his performing career, Fowkes held a significant role within the Actors' Equity Association. He was elected to Equity's Council in 1973 and served as the organization's secretary and treasurer from 1988 until his death in 2009. In 1977, he co-founded VITA, AEA's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, which has assisted thousands of AEA members with their income taxes. His advocacy work also contributed to the inclusion of the Qualified Performing Artist Deduction in the Federal Tax Code in 1986.