Lorne Greene facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lorne Greene
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Greene in 1969
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| Born |
Lyon Himan Green
12 February 1915 |
| Died | 11 September 1987 (aged 72) Santa Monica, California, U.S.
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| Other names | Chaim Green Lorne Hyman Greene |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1939–1987 |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Sam Raimi (son-in-law) |
Lorne Hyman Greene OC (born Lyon Himan Green; 12 February 1915 – 11 September 1987) was a Canadian actor, musician, singer, and radio personality. He was famous for playing Ben Cartwright on the TV show Bonanza. He also starred as Commander Adama in the science-fiction series Battlestar Galactica. Later, he hosted a nature show called Lorne Greene's New Wilderness.
Contents
Early Life and Start in Canada
Lorne Greene was born Lyon Himan Green in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. His parents were Jewish immigrants from the Russian Empire. His mother called him "Chaim". It is not known when he started using the name Lorne. He also added an "e" to his last name.
Greene taught drama at Camp Arowhon in Algonquin Provincial Park. This helped him develop his acting skills.
University and Radio Work
He started acting while studying at Queen's University at Kingston. There, he became good at broadcasting for the university's radio station, CFRC.
He decided not to become a chemical engineer. After graduating, he got a job as a radio broadcaster for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).
During World War II, Greene was a Flying Officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force. After the war, he became the main newsreader for the CBC National News. The CBC called him "The Voice of Canada". However, his deep voice and serious tone when reading war news made some people call him "The Voice of Doom". This was especially true when he read the list of soldiers killed in the war.
Greene also invented a special stopwatch. It counted backwards, helping radio announcers know how much time they had left. He also narrated documentary films for the National Film Board of Canada.
Moving to the United States
Greene left the CBC after the war. He continued to work for them as a freelancer. He also became a newsreader for a private radio station in Toronto. He returned to acting in plays and radio shows.
In 1952, Greene moved to the United States. He appeared in plays on Broadway, New York City. He also started acting in live television shows in the 1950s. In 1953, he played Othello in a TV version of Shakespeare's play. In 1954, he made his first Hollywood movie, The Silver Chalice. He played Saint Peter in the film. He also appeared in other movies and TV shows.
Becoming a Star on American Television
Lorne Greene became very famous for his role as Ben "Pa" Cartwright. He played this character in Bonanza from 1959 to 1973. Bonanza was the first hour-long Western TV show filmed in color.
Music and Other Roles
In the 1960s, Greene used his "Ben Cartwright" image to record music albums. These albums featured him speaking and singing country-western and folk songs. In 1964, his song "Ringo" became a number-one hit. This song was about the real-life outlaw Johnny Ringo. He also had a popular song called "Saga of the Ponderosa". It told the story of how the Cartwright family started their famous ranch.
After Bonanza ended in 1973, Greene starred in the crime drama Griff. He played a police officer who became a private detective. This show was canceled after 13 episodes. From 1974 to 1975, Greene hosted a nature documentary series called Last of the Wild.
In 1977, he appeared in the TV miniseries Roots. He played John Reynolds, the first master of Kunta Kinte. Throughout the 1970s, Greene was also the spokesperson for Alpo dog food commercials.
TV Guide once named Ben Cartwright the second most popular TV father. Greene was also well-known for playing Commander Adama. This was another father-like role in the science-fiction series Battlestar Galactica (1978–1979) and Galactica 1980 (1980). He continued playing wise father figures in the 1981 series Code Red. In this show, he was a fire-department chief whose children worked under him.
Greene also appeared with his former Bonanza co-stars. He was on an episode of Highway to Heaven with Michael Landon. He also appeared on Vega$ with Pernell Roberts.
He co-hosted the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC for almost ten years. He hosted it with Betty White.
Return to Canadian Television
In the 1980s, Greene focused on wildlife and environmental issues. He hosted and narrated the nature series Lorne Greene's New Wilderness for CTV. This show helped people learn about protecting the environment.
Personal Life and Legacy
Greene was married twice. His first wife was Rita Hands, and they had twins, Charles and Belinda Susan. His second wife was Nancy Deale. They had one child, Gillian Dania Greene. Gillian is married to the director Sam Raimi.
In 1960, Greene built the Ponderosa II House in Mesa, Arizona. It looks like the Bonanza ranch house from the TV show. It is now a historic property in Mesa.
Death and Recognition
Lorne Greene died on September 11, 1987, at age 72. He passed away from problems after ulcer surgery. He was buried in Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City.
Greene received many honors for his work.
- In 1969, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. This is a high honor for Canadians.
- In 1971, his old university, Queen's University, gave him an honorary law degree.
- In 1987, he received the Earle Grey Award for Lifetime Achievement.
- He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- In 1974, he received the Golden Plate Award.
- In 2006, Canada Post honored him with his own 51-cent postage stamp.
- In 2015, Greene was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.
Lorne Greene Academy of Radio Arts
In 1945, Greene started the Lorne Greene Academy of Radio Arts in Toronto. This school trained many future broadcasters and actors. Some famous students included Leslie Nielsen and James Doohan. The school taught 381 students over seven years. Most of them found jobs in the industry. Even though it was successful, the school lost money. Greene closed it in 1952.
Images for kids
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Greene in 1969
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Greene as Ben Cartwright 1959
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Greene's Ponderosa II House in Mesa, Arizona
See also
In Spanish: Lorne Greene para niños
