Don Hastings facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Don Hastings
Hastings as the Video Ranger on DuMont's Captain Video and His Video Rangers
Born	(1934-04-01) April 1, 1934 (age 91) Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Occupation	Actor singer screenwriter
Years active	1940–2010
Spouse(s)	Nan Hastings ​ ​ (m. 1957, divorced)​ Leslie Denniston ​ (m. 1980)​
Children	4
Relatives	Bob Hastings (brother)

Donald Francis Michael Hastings, born on April 1, 1934, is an American actor, singer, and writer. He is famous for playing Dr. Robert "Bob" Hughes for 50 years. This role was on the CBS TV show As the World Turns, from 1960 to 2010.

Don Hastings received special awards for his work on As the World Turns. He got an Editor's Award in 1998 and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. In the 1940s, he acted in several plays on Broadway. He also played the Video Ranger on the TV show Captain Video and His Video Rangers from 1949 to 1955. Before that, he was Jack Lane on the CBS show The Edge of Night.

Early Life and First Roles

Don Hastings was born in Brooklyn, New York. His older brother, Bob Hastings, was also an actor. Don's acting career started when he was just six years old. He went to watch his brother perform on a radio show.

The show's producers found out Don could sing. They asked him to try out for a part. He won his first role, singing on a radio show called Coast to Coast on a Bus.

Don's Acting Journey

Early Stage and TV Work

In 1941, when Don was seven, he joined a play called Life with Father. He traveled all over the U.S. by train with the play's cast. He did this until he was ten years old.

Don made his first appearance on Broadway in 1944. This was in a play called I Remember Mama. He then got another Broadway role in On Whitman Avenue. He also acted in A Young Man's Fancy and Summer and Smoke.

From 1949 to 1955, Don Hastings played the Video Ranger. This character was Captain Video's young helper. They were on the DuMont TV series, Captain Video and His Video Rangers. He played one of the first TV superheroes made for kids.

In the 1940s and 1950s, Don appeared on many TV and radio shows. These included The Chevrolet Tele-Theatre, The Magic Cottage, and Studio One.

Long Career in Soap Operas

In 1956, Don Hastings joined the CBS show The Edge of Night. He played a character named Jack Lane. He even spoke the very first line in the show's first episode. He stayed on this show for four and a half years.

In 1960, a writer named Irna Phillips saw Don on The Edge of Night. She thought he would be perfect for the role of Dr. Bob Hughes. This role was on her CBS show As the World Turns. Don was then cast on the show.

In October 1960, Don appeared in his last episodes of The Edge of Night. At the same time, he started his first episodes of As the World Turns. Other actors had played Bob before him. Don's character, Bob, was first linked to Lisa Miller. But he later found true love with Kim Sullivan.

Don Hastings also tried writing scripts for TV shows. He wrote for Another World and As the World Turns. He also wrote for Guiding Light. He used a special pen name, J.J. Matthews, which was a mix of his children's names. He later decided to focus on acting more.

In 1965, Don was offered a role on another show, Days of Our Lives. But he chose to stay with As the World Turns. He was happy there. In 1977, he performed with his co-star, Kathryn Hays. They had a show called Hastings & Hays On Love.

In 1993, Don received a Silver Circle Award. This award was for his many years in television. He and Kathryn Hays also won an Editor's Award in 1998. In 2004, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

As the World Turns ended in 2010. In the very last episode, Dr. Bob Hughes retired from the hospital. Don Hastings spoke the final line of the series, saying, "Good Night." The show had started in 1956 with another character saying, "Good morning, dear."

Don Hastings held a record for being the longest-running actor on a TV show. This was for his continuous role. His co-star, Helen Wagner, held the record for the longest non-continuous role.

Personal Life

Don Hastings married his first wife, Nan, in 1957. They had two daughters and a son together. They later divorced.

He met his second wife, Leslie Denniston, when she acted briefly on As the World Turns. They got married in 1980. They have a daughter, who was born in 1982.

Don's son, Matthew, has worked in show business since 1999. He is a writer, director, and producer. Don's older brother, actor Bob Hastings, passed away in 2014.

Awards and Achievements