Dana Lee Connors: Mannix Star Mike Connors’ Daughter

Dana Lee Connors is best known as the daughter of the late Mike Connors, the Armenian-American actor who became a household name starring as private detective Joe Mannix in the long-running CBS series Mannix (1967–1975). Born around July 1960, Dana grew up in the spotlight that surrounded her father’s career, yet she’s chosen to live a remarkably private life away from Hollywood’s glare. Unlike many children of famous actors, she hasn’t pursued a public career or sought media attention. What’s publicly known about Dana comes almost entirely through her father’s well-documented career and the Connors family’s occasional appearances at industry events. Her story is, in many ways, inseparable from her father’s legacy — a legacy that still resonates with television fans decades after Mannix went off the air.

Early Life and Family

Dana Lee Connors was born around July 1960 to Mike Connors and his wife Marylou Connors. She grew up in Los Angeles alongside her brother, Matthew Gunnar Ohanian, who carries the family’s original Armenian surname. Their father was born Krekor Ohanian on August 15, 1925, in Fresno, California, to Armenian immigrant parents. He later adopted the stage name Mike Connors early in his acting career.

Growing up in a Hollywood household during the 1960s and 1970s meant that Dana’s childhood coincided with her father’s peak years of fame. Mannix premiered in 1967, when Dana was around seven years old, and ran for eight seasons. The show earned Mike Connors an Emmy nomination and a Golden Globe Award, making him one of the most recognizable faces on American television.

Despite her father’s celebrity status, the Connors family was known for keeping their home life separate from the entertainment industry. Mike and Marylou Connors maintained a stable, long-lasting marriage — a rarity in Hollywood — and they appear to have prioritized giving their children as normal an upbringing as possible given the circumstances.

Mike Connors’ Legacy

To understand Dana’s background, it’s important to recognize just how significant her father’s career was. Mike Connors worked in film and television for over five decades. Before Mannix, he appeared in numerous films during the 1950s and early 1960s, including Island in the Sky (1953), Sudden Fear (1952), and Where Love Has Gone (1964). He also starred in the TV series Tightrope (1959–1960) before landing his signature role.

Mannix remains his defining achievement. The show followed Joe Mannix, a tough but principled private investigator working in Los Angeles. It was one of the most popular detective series of its era and ran for 194 episodes. Mike Connors brought a physicality and charisma to the role that set it apart from other detective shows of the time — he famously performed many of his own stunts.

Beyond acting, Mike was proud of his Armenian heritage and was active in the Armenian-American community throughout his life. He served as a role model for Armenian-Americans in the entertainment industry at a time when few held prominent positions in Hollywood.

Mike Connors passed away on January 26, 2017, at the age of 91. His death was mourned by fans around the world and by the Armenian-American community, which had long considered him one of its most prominent cultural figures. He left behind Marylou, Dana, Matthew, and a body of work that continues to find new audiences through streaming and syndication.

The Connors Family

The Connors family has largely stayed out of the public eye, which makes piecing together their story a challenge. Mike and Marylou Connors were married for decades, and by all accounts, theirs was one of Hollywood’s more enduring partnerships. Marylou wasn’t involved in the entertainment industry herself, and she and Mike seem to have worked together to shield their children from the less desirable aspects of celebrity life.

Dana’s brother, Matthew Gunnar Ohanian, has also maintained a low profile. The use of the Ohanian surname by Matthew reflects the family’s connection to their Armenian roots — a heritage that Mike Connors spoke about openly and with pride during his lifetime. The family’s Armenian background was an important part of their identity, even as Mike operated under a stage name professionally.

After Mike’s passing in 2017, the family handled his memorial and legacy matters privately. There haven’t been public statements or interviews from Dana or Matthew about their father’s death, which is consistent with the family’s longstanding preference for privacy.

Dana’s Private Life

There’s no verified public information about Dana Lee Connors’ career, relationships, or current activities. She doesn’t appear to maintain any public social media profiles, and she hasn’t given interviews or made public appearances that have been documented by media outlets.

This level of privacy is unusual for the child of a major television star but not unheard of. Some children of celebrities deliberately choose to step away from public life entirely, and Dana seems to fall into that category. There are no reliable reports about where she lives, what she does professionally, or whether she has a family of her own.

It’s worth being straightforward here: much of what gets written about Dana online is speculative or recycled from the same thin set of facts. Rather than fill in the gaps with guesswork, it’s more honest to simply acknowledge that Dana Lee Connors has successfully maintained her privacy. In an age where personal information is incredibly easy to find, that’s a notable achievement in its own right.

What we can say with confidence is that she’s the daughter of one of television’s most iconic actors, that she grew up in a close-knit Armenian-American family, and that she’s chosen a life far removed from the cameras that defined her father’s career.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Dana Lee Connors?

Dana Lee Connors is the daughter of the late actor Mike Connors, who starred as Joe Mannix in the CBS detective series Mannix (1967–1975). She was born around July 1960 and has lived a private life away from the entertainment industry.

Is Mike Connors still alive?

No. Mike Connors passed away on January 26, 2017, at the age of 91. He’s remembered for his iconic role in Mannix and for his contributions to the Armenian-American community.

Does Dana Lee Connors have siblings?

Yes. Dana has a brother named Matthew Gunnar Ohanian, who uses the family’s original Armenian surname. Like Dana, Matthew has kept a low public profile.

What was Mike Connors’ real name?

Mike Connors was born Krekor Ohanian on August 15, 1925, in Fresno, California. He was the son of Armenian immigrants and adopted his stage name early in his acting career.