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Karl Swenson : Biography, Pictures, Photos, Trivia, Address, Filmography (Little House on the Prairie)

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Karl Swenson

Photos Karl Swenson Birth name: Karl Swenson
Birth date: 1908/07/23
Date of death : 1978/10/08 (70 years old)
Birth place : Brooklyn New-York

French Traduire

Biography for Karl Swenson

Of Swedish descent, burly, light-haired character actor Karl Swenson was born in Brooklyn and started his four-decade career on radio. Throughout the late 30s and 40s, his voice could be heard all over the airwaves, appearing in scores of daytime serials ("Lorenzo Jones") and mystery dramas ("Inner Sanctum Mysteries"). He gave visual life to one of his serial characters, Walter Manning, in "Portia Faces Life" when it went to TV in 1953. It was during his lengthy work in this medium that he met his wife, stage and radio actress Joan Tompkins. They appeared together throughout their careers on TV and in a few films. In the 1950s, he kept afloat on TV in rugged guest spots ("Dr. Kildare" (1961), "Gunsmoke" (1955), "Maverick" (1957), "Mission: Impossible" (1966) and "Hawaii Five-O" (1968)). He didn't appear in films until age 50+ with minor roles in Kings Go Forth (1958), North to Alaska (1960), The Birds (1963) and The Sons of Katie Elder (1965). His voice was also well utilized in such animated features as The Sword in the Stone (1963) as the voice of Merlin. Karl met actor Michael Landon on the set of "Bonanza" (1959), appearing in four separate episodes over time. Landon remembered him when he began to film "Little House on the Prairie" (1974). Cast in the recurring role of lumber mill owner Lars Hanson, he remained with the show until his death in 1978 of a heart attack. His character on the show also died.

Karl Swenson is an American actor born July 23, 1908 in Brooklyn New York, who died on October 8, 1978 in Torrington Connecticut of a heart attack.

He played the role of Lars Hanson in the famous series La Petite Maison in La Prairie. Karl died for some time after turning the episode in which his character died!

Karl Swenson was an American actor born August 20, 1908 in Brooklyn, New York. He began his acting career in 1936 and played in many theater, films and television productions during his life.

Swenson was best known for his roles in productions of the famous theatrical company of the New York Shakespeare Festival, especially in the pieces "Henry V" and "The Taming of the Shrew". He has also played in several productions from the Broadway theater company, notably in "The Iceman Cometh" and "Death of a Salesman".

Outside the theater, Swenson has also played in many films and television shows. He notably played in films such as "The Big Circus" and "The Big Knife", as well as in popular television shows such as "The Lone Ranger" and "The Adventures of Superman". Swenson also played in science fiction television series such as "Lost in Space" and "Star Trek", where he interpreted the character of Lars, the father of Uhura.

Swenson continued to work until his death in 1978, at the age of 70. He was considered one of the most talented and versatile actors of his generation, and his career was marked by his skill in interpreting very different roles with great ease.

Photos

Photos Karl Swenson n_6 Photos Karl Swenson n_6 Photos Karl Swenson n_6 Photos Karl Swenson n_6 Photos Karl Swenson n_6 Photos Karl Swenson n_6

Filmography

Title Role
Little House on the Prairie Lars Hanson (40 episodes, 1974-1978)
The Amazing Spider-Man Dr. Carl Benson (1 episode, 1978)
Disneyland Jensen (1 episode, 1975)
Cannon Jack Halsey (1 episode, 1975)
Happy Days Police Detective (1 episode, 1974)
Apple's Way Dr. Knowles (1 episode, 1974)
The Gun and the Pulpit (1974) (TV) Adams
Doc Elliot Mike Shea (1 episode, 1974)
Emergency! Gus (1 episode, 1974)
Barnaby Jones Mr. Fowler (1 episode, 1973)
The Odd Couple Captain Potter (1 episode, 1973)
Ulzana's Raid (1972) Willy Rukeyser (settler)
Ghost Story Ed Barnes (1 episode, 1972)
The New Healers (1972) (TV) Mr. Fisherman
The Mod Squad (2 episodes, 1970-1972)
O'Hara, U.S. Treasury Otto Schurman (1 episode, 1972)
Longstreet Sven Aalborg (1 episode, 1972)
A Howling in the Woods (1971) (TV) Apperson
The Birdmen (1971) (TV) Gunter
This Is the Life Burke (1 episode, 1971)
Dan August Aubrey Burnett (1 episode, 1971)
Gunsmoke Adam Dill / ... (9 episodes, 1957-1971)
Ironside Vet (1 episode, 1971)
Medical Center Dr. Mills (1 episode, 1971)
Vanishing Point (1971) Sandy McKees, Argo's Attendant
The Wild Country (1970) Jensen
The Immortal Dom DiLorenzo (1 episode, 1970)
Hawaii Five-O Abel Morgan (2 episodes, 1970)
...tick... tick... tick... (1970) Braddock Sr.
The Virginian Ben Wallace / ... (6 episodes, 1962-1969)
Mission: Impossible Colonel Dubov / ... (2 episodes, 1968-1969)
Tiger, Tiger (1969) (TV) Dr. Herbert
The Outcasts Tom Reed (1 episode, 1969)
Premiere Erickson (1 episode, 1968)
Lassie Anson Booth / ... (5 episodes, 1964-1968)
The Guns of Will Sonnett Walden (1 episode, 1968)
Cimarron Strip Dr. Kihlgren / ... (6 episodes, 1967-1968)
Judd for the Defense Judge (2 episodes, 1968)
Tarzan General Governer (1 episode, 1968)
Bonanza Captain Neils Larson / ... (4 episodes, 1959-1967)
Hour of the Gun (1967) Dr. Charles Goodfellow
Hogan's Heroes Dr. Karl Svenson (1 episode, 1967)
CBS Playhouse Dr. Keller (1 episode, 1967)
Brighty of the Grand Canyon (1967) Theodore Roosevelt
The Rat Patrol Col. Seidner (1 episode, 1967)
The Big Valley Aaron Moyers / ... (3 episodes, 1965-1967)
Twelve O'Clock High Karisen (1 episode, 1966)
Seconds (1966) Dr. Morris
A Man Called Shenandoah Sheriff Ben Garrett (1 episode, 1966)
Convoy Lars Hanson (1 episode, 1965)
Dr. Kildare Judge (3 episodes, 1965)
Perry Mason Axel Norstaad / ... (4 episodes, 1962-1965)
The Cincinnati Kid (1965) Mr. Rudd
The Sons of Katie Elder (1965) Doc Isdell
Major Dundee (1965) Captain Waller
The Fugitive Morgan / ... (2 episodes, 1964-1965)
Death Valley Days (1 episode, 1964)
Mr. Novak (1 episode, 1964)
Profiles in Courage Chynoweth (1 episode, 1964)
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. Colonel Harper (1 episode, 1964)
Kraft Suspense Theatre Erickson (1 episode, 1964)
The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters Bigger / ... (2 episodes, 1963-1964)
Wagon Train Harry Whitmore / ... (2 episodes, 1961-1964)
The Sword in the Stone (1963) (voice) Merlin
The Prize (1963) Hilding (Welcome Basket)
The Man from Galveston (1963) Sheriff
Temple Houston Sam Wade (1 episode, 1963)
The Greatest Show on Earth Louis (1 episode, 1963)
77 Sunset Strip Baldwin / ... (4 episodes, 1958-1963)
Laramie Bryan James / ... (3 episodes, 1962-1963)
The Birds (1963) Doomsayer in diner
G.E. True Kowalski (1 episode, 1963)
The Eleventh Hour Nelson (1 episode, 1963)
Sam Benedict Barney Rossvalley / ... (3 episodes, 1962-1963)
The Dakotas Harry McNeill (1 episode, 1963)
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour George Sherston (1 episode, 1962)
How the West Was Won (1962) (uncredited) Train conductor
Ripcord Will Gorman (1 episode)
The Andy Griffith Show Mr. McBeevee (1 episode, 1962)
The Comedy Spot Harold Carol (1 episode, 1962)
Kraft Mystery Theater (1 episode, 1962)
The Spiral Road (1962) Insp. Bevers
The Untouchables Hans Dreiser / ... (2 episodes, 1961-1962)
Lonely Are the Brave (1962) Rev. Hoskins (prison inmate)
The Dick Powell Show Lang (1 episode, 1962)
Walk on the Wild Side (1962) Schmidt
Surfside 6 Charlie Haynes (1 episode, 1962)
Ben Casey Dr. Barthold (1 episode, 1962)
Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) Dr. Heinrich Geuter (Feldenstein's lawyer)
Outlaws (1 episode, 1961)
Have Gun - Will Travel Boris Tosheff / ... (6 episodes, 1958-1961)
The Case of the Dangerous Robin (1 episode, 1961)
The Best of the Post Turner (2 episodes, 1960-1961)
Klondike Dr. Edwards / ... (2 episodes, 1960-1961)
Maverick Captain Nares / ... (3 episodes, 1957-1961)
The Aquanauts Rainbow (1 episode, 1961)
Flaming Star (1960) Dred Pierce
Hong Kong (1 episode, 1960)
The Westerner Ben Potts (1 episode, 1960)
North to Alaska (1960) Lars Nordquist
Hawaiian Eye Martin Dunlap (1 episode, 1960)
Alfred Hitchcock Presents Ed / ... (2 episodes, 1958-1960)
One Foot in Hell (1960) Sheriff Ole Olson
Johnny Ringo Marshal Kramer (1 episode, 1960)
The Gallant Hours (1960) Captain Bill Bailey
Mr. Lucky St. John (1 episode, 1960)
The Man and the Challenge Dr. Lindstrom (1 episode, 1960)
Zane Grey Theater Luis Greening / ... (4 episodes, 1958-1960)
The Rifleman Chris Manse / ... (2 episodes, 1960)
Hotel de Paree Jed Holmes (1 episode, 1960)
Ice Palace (1960) Scotty Ballantyne
The Texan Sam Maitland / ... (2 episodes, 1958-1959)
Black Saddle Doc Wile (1 episode, 1959)
The Rebel Lew Bussey (1 episode, 1959)
Rawhide Sergeant (1 episode, 1959)
The Man from Blackhawk (1 episode, 1959)
Riverboat Ansel Torgin (1 episode, 1959)
Lock Up Ed Reed (1 episode, 1959)
Men Into Space Senator Jim Sloane (1 episode, 1959)
Tightrope William B. Kane (1 episode, 1959)
Bronco Captain Taylor / ... (2 episodes, 1959)
The Jack Benny Program Pierre (1 episode, 1959)
Steve Canyon Karoli (1 episode, 1959)
No Name on the Bullet (1959) Earl Stricker
Sugarfoot Alexi Sharlokov / ... (4 episodes, 1958-1959)
The Hanging Tree (1959) Tom Flaunce
Trackdown Monroe (1 episode, 1959)
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse Snipes (1 episode, 1959)
Bat Masterson Jim Pate (1 episode, 1958)
The Badlanders (1958) (uncredited) The Marshal
Jefferson Drum Kiley (1 episode, 1958)
Kings Go Forth (1958) Lt. Col. Loggins
Bachelor Father Mr. Burton (1 episode, 1958)
Cheyenne Bruce Coll (1 episode, 1958)
Colt .45 Courtwright (1 episode, 1958)
Leave It to Beaver George Haskell (2 episodes, 1958)
Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre Casey (1 episode, 1958)
The Adventures of Jim Bowie Andre (1 episode, 1958)
The Court of Last Resort Carl Halsted (1 episode, 1957)
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars Asmussen (1 episode, 1957)
Circus Boy Lars Larsen (1 episode, 1957)
That Night! (1957)
The Walter Winchell File (1 episode, 1957)
Robert Montgomery Presents (1 episode, 1957)
The United States Steel Hour Abner Carson (1 episode, 1957)
Four Boys and a Gun (1957) Mr. Badek
Playwrights '56 Sy Crandell (1 episode, 1956)
Hallmark Hall of Fame Humpty Dumpty (1 episode, 1955)
Kraft Television Theatre (1 episode, 1954)

Trivia

In two of his most remembered roles, although the parts were small, he is technically the most important character in each. In "Little House and the Prairie" he is the founder of Walnut Grove, the town in which the entire show is centered. And in "Vanishing Point" he is the mechanic who supped up the car for the cross country chase (as well as the owner of the garage).

Family

Spouse : Virginia Hanscom Swenson (1930 - 1960) 4 children, Joan Tompkins (? - 8 October 1978) (his death)

Author of the card

  • Creation date: 17/09/2007 by abdest

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