Michael Conrad was an American actor, perhaps best known for his portrayal of veteran cop Sgt. Phil Esterhaus on Hill Street Blues—a role for which he won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1981 and 1982. Among his other credits were the short-lived television series Delvecchio (1976–1977); and the films The War Lord (1965), They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969), The Todd Killings (1971), and The Longest Yard (1974). "Let's be careful out there." was Michael Conrad's signature salute at the end of every daily roll call, at the beginning of every Hill Street Blues episode.