Lorne Greene was an actor. Born in Ottawa, Canada, Greene attended Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. After he graduated, he began to work in radio broadcasting, rising to prominence as an accomplished newscaster. As chief radio announcer on the CBC during World War II (1939–42), he was known as the “Voice of Doom” because of his deep, resonant voice and the grim news it conveyed. In the late 1940s Greene formed the Academy of Radio Arts and the Jupiter Theatre in Toronto. For more than a dozen years, his school was a haven for Canadian actors.

In 1953 he left his native land and headed for Hollywood. Although he was best known for his long-standing starring role as the venerable Ben Cartwright on the popular TV western series Bonanza (1959–73), Greene performed on Broadway, on radio, in films, and on many other TV shows as well. In addition to his work in the U.S., he returned to Canada to participate in various projects.

On Broadway, Greene appeared in The Prescott Proposals (1954); Speaking of Murder (1957); and Edwin Booth (1958). His film roles include The Silver Chalice (1954); Tight Spot (1955); Autumn Leaves (1956); Peyton Place (1957); The Hard Man (1957); The Last of the Fast Guns (1958); The Gift of Love (1958); The Buccaneer (1958); and Earthquake (1974).

Greene’s television credits include the title role in Othello (1953); the TV series Sailor of Fortune (1955); host of the series To the Wild Country (1972–75); the lead role in the series Griff (1973–74); host of Lorne Greene’s Last of the Wild (1974); the lead roles in the series Battlestar Galactica (1978 and 1980) and Code Red (1981–82); and host of Lorne Greene’s New Wilderness (1981–86). Greene’s final film appearance was in the TV movie The Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory (1987).

In 1980 he published The Lorne Greene Book of Remarkable Animals.

Greene died on September 11, 1987, aged 72, from complications from pneumonia, following ulcer surgery, at Saint Johns’ Hospital in Santa Monica, California. He is interred at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City.

Sources: [Ruth Beloff (2^nd ed.)]

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