Lorne Greene was one of the most iconic Canadian actors and media personalities of the 20th century. He had a long and successful career that spanned decades, and he was well-known for his roles in many popular television shows, including Bonanza and Battlestar Galactica. From his early days as a radio announcer to his later years as a television star, Lorne Greene was a figure that many fans looked up to. This article will provide an introduction to Lorne Greene’s life and career, as well as an overview of his many awards and honours, his net worth, and his legacy.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction to Lorne Greene – Early Life and Career:
Lorne Greene was born in Ottawa, Ontario in 1915. He took an early interest in broadcasting, and worked as a radio announcer for several years. He then moved to Toronto to pursue his acting career, and made his Broadway debut in 1947. His first major on-screen role was as the lead in the television series Studio One in 1954. He then found success in other television roles, such as the miniseries Roots, and the popular western series Bonanza. He also worked as a voice-over artist and a singer, releasing two albums in the 1960s.
II. Lorne Greene’s Acting Career:
Lorne Greene was a prolific actor, appearing in dozens of television shows, movies and stage productions throughout his career. He was well-known for his starring role in the long-running western series Bonanza, which aired from 1959 to 1973. He also had notable roles in the miniseries Roots, and the science fiction series Battlestar Galactica. He was also a frequent guest star, appearing in shows such as Magnum P.I., The Love Boat, and Hawaii Five-O. He was also a frequent narrator and host, including the documentaries Canada: A People’s History and The National Dream.
III. Lorne Greene’s Singing Career:
Lorne Greene was also a successful singer, releasing two albums in the 1960s. His first album, Lorne Greene’s Greatest Hits, was released in 1964 and was certified gold. His second album, Lorne Greene: The Man, was released in 1967 and was also certified gold. His best-known song was “Ringo,” which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1964. He also sang the theme song for Bonanza and the theme song for Battlestar Galactica.
IV. Lorne Greene’s Voiceover Career:
Lorne Greene was also a successful voiceover artist, providing the voice of many popular characters in television and film. He was the voice of “The Commander” in the science fiction series Battlestar Galactica and the voice of “The Narrator” in the National Film Board of Canada’s Canada: A People’s History. He also provided the voice of a number of commercial campaigns, including the “Ponderosa” ad campaign for Bonanza and the “Uncle Ben’s Rice” ad campaign.
V. Lorne Greene’s Starring Role in Bonanza:
Lorne Greene is best-known for his starring role in the long-running western series Bonanza, which aired from 1959 to 1973. He portrayed “Ben Cartwright,” the patriarch of the Cartwright family. The show was one of the most popular shows of its time, and Greene’s performance earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in 1965. He also received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his performance.
VI. Other Popular Television Roles Played by Lorne Greene:
In addition to his starring role in Bonanza, Lorne Greene had a number of other popular television roles. He was the lead in the miniseries Roots, which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. He also had a recurring role in the science fiction series Battlestar Galactica, and made guest appearances in shows such as Magnum P.I., The Love Boat, and Hawaii Five-O. He was also a frequent narrator and host, including the documentaries Canada: A People’s History and The National Dream.
VII. Lorne Greene’s Awards and Honours:
Lorne Greene was the recipient of numerous awards and honours throughout his career. He was inducted into the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame in 1977, and was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1978. He also received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2001. In addition, he received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in 1965, and two Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
VIII. Lorne Greene’s Last Years:
Lorne Greene’s health began to decline in the 1980s, and he retired from acting in 1989. He died of complications from pneumonia in 1987, at the age of 72.
IX. Legacy of Lorne Greene:
Lorne Greene left behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, and commitment to his craft. He was an icon of Canadian television, and is remembered for his performances in many popular shows, including Bonanza and Battlestar Galactica. He was also an inspiration to many young actors, and a role model for many Canadian television viewers.
X. Lorne Greene Net Worth:
Lorne Greene’s net worth at the time of his death was estimated to be approximately $10 million.
XI. Conclusion:
Lorne Greene was one of the most iconic Canadian actors and media personalities of the 20th century. He had a long and successful career that spanned decades, and he left behind a legacy of hard work and commitment to his craft. He was well-known for his roles in many popular television shows, and he was a role model for many Canadian television viewers. He was the recipient of numerous awards and honours, and at the time of his death, his net worth was estimated to be approximately $10 million.