Karl Swenson, a burly and light-haired character actor of Swedish descent, was born in Brooklyn and embarked on a four-decade-long career in the entertainment industry, initially making a name for himself on radio.
Throughout the late 1930s and 1940s, his distinctive voice could be heard across the airwaves, with appearances in numerous daytime serials, including "Lorenzo Jones," and mystery dramas, such as "Inner Sanctum Mysteries."
In the early 1950s, Swenson transitioned to television, where he met his future wife, stage and radio actress Joan Tompkins. The couple went on to work together throughout their careers, appearing in various TV shows and films.
During the 1950s, Swenson landed a series of rugged guest spots on popular TV shows, including "Dr. Kildare," "Gunsmoke," "Maverick," "Mission: Impossible," and "Hawaii Five-O."
It wasn't until he was in his 50s that Swenson began to appear in films, with minor roles in "Kings Go Forth," "North to Alaska," "The Birds," and "The Sons of Katie Elder."
Swenson's voice was also utilized in several animated features, including "The Sword in the Stone," in which he voiced the iconic character of Merlin.
In the 1950s, Swenson met actor Michael Landon on the set of "Bonanza," appearing in four separate episodes over the course of his career. Landon would later remember Swenson when he began filming "Little House on the Prairie" in the 1970s.
Swenson was cast in the recurring role of lumbermill owner Lars Hanson on "Little House on the Prairie," a role he remained in until his untimely death from a heart attack in 1978. Notably, his character on the show also passed away, a poignant reflection of his real-life passing.
Biography:
Karl Swenson was born in Brooklyn, New York, to a Swedish family. He began his career in the entertainment industry on radio, where he gained popularity for his distinctive voice and appearances in numerous daytime serials and mystery dramas.
Swenson's career in television began in the early 1950s, where he met his future wife, Joan Tompkins, a stage and radio actress. The couple went on to work together throughout their careers, appearing in various TV shows and films.
Throughout the 1950s, Swenson landed a series of rugged guest spots on popular TV shows, including "Dr. Kildare," "Gunsmoke," "Maverick," "Mission: Impossible," and "Hawaii Five-O."
Swenson's film career began in his 50s, with minor roles in "Kings Go Forth," "North to Alaska," "The Birds," and "The Sons of Katie Elder." His voice was also utilized in several animated features, including "The Sword in the Stone," in which he voiced the iconic character of Merlin.
In the 1950s, Swenson met actor Michael Landon on the set of "Bonanza," appearing in four separate episodes over the course of his career. Landon would later remember Swenson when he began filming "Little House on the Prairie" in the 1970s.
Swenson was cast in the recurring role of lumbermill owner Lars Hanson on "Little House on the Prairie," a role he remained in until his untimely death from a heart attack in 1978.
