Beloved B-movie actor Conrad Brooks, best known for his role in Plan 9 from Outer Space, passed away on December 6, 2017. He was 86 years old. 

Conrad Biedrzycki, later Conrad Brooks, was born on January 3, 1931 in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1948, Brooks moved to Hollywood to pursue a career in acting. Brooks got his start appearing in Ed Wood’s Glen or Glenda, followed by roles in Jalopy, Clipped Wings, Hidden Face, Jail Bait, The Mad Magician, and Night of the Ghouls. Brooks most notable role came in Wood’s Plan 9 from Outer Space in 1959, which although critically panned has since cemented itself as a cult classic. 

After appearing in films such as Mystery in Shadows, Bob and Run, and The Beast of Yucca Flats, Brooks took a break from acting. However, due to his ongoing interest in Wood’s films, Brooks reemerged in the 1980s. During this time, not only was Brooks considered a prolific actor but he also went on to write, produce and direct several films. Throughout his career, Brooks appeared in nearly 100 genre films – most of which were directed by Wood. This includes roles in A Polish Vampire in Burbank, Deathrow Gameshow, Curse of the Queerwolf, Flying Saucers Over Hollywood: The Plan 9 Companion, Puppet Master III, Zombiegeddon, and Brain Robbers from Outer Space.

In 1994, Brooks paid tribute to his relationship with Wood by starring as a bartender in Tim Burton’s 1994 film Ed Wood. More recently, Brooks made appearances in Zombie on the Loose, Terror of The Giant Tentacle, Don’t Let the Devil In, Toilet Gator, and the 2015 remake of Plan 9. According to IMDb, prior to his passing, Brooks was filming roles for Darkness Waits and Abaddon. Over the years, Brooks was a frequent guest of horror conventions held all over the country. He was also the founder and owner of Conrad Brooks Productions, which has produced the Gypsy Vampire series.