Diff'rent Strokes dad dies

Conrad Bain was a star on Diff'rent Strokes. Photo/AP

Conrad Bain, who starred as the kindly white adoptive father of two young African-American brothers in the TV sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, has died.

His daughter says Bain died Monday of natural causes in California. He was 89.

The show that debuted on NBC in 1978 was most noticed for its child actors, especially Gary Coleman, who played the younger brother.

Before Diff'rent Strokes, Bain played conservative neighbour Dr Arthur Harmon on the feminist sitcom Maude.

He also was a journeyman actor on stage, screen and television.

- AP