Karl Swenson Bio
Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 11:40 am
Karl Swenson was born in Brooklyn, NY on July 23, 1908.
Karl started his four-decade career on radio when, throughout the late 30s and 40s, his voice could be heard all over the airwaves.
He appeared in many daytime serials, including "Lorenzo Jones", and also on mystery dramas, such as "Inner Sanctum Mysteries".
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.
cap of Karl Swenson and his wife, Joan Tompkins
Karl started his four-decade career on radio when, throughout the late 30s and 40s, his voice could be heard all over the airwaves.
He appeared in many daytime serials, including "Lorenzo Jones", and also on mystery dramas, such as "Inner Sanctum Mysteries".
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.
cap of Karl Swenson and his wife, Joan Tompkins
Here's a picture of Karl in the series, Court of Last Resort in an episode titled, The John Smith Case in 1957.
Karl played a recurring role in 1958 on Leave It To Beaver, guest starring as George Haskell, Eddie's father!
He also moved to the big screen in 1958's Kings Go Forth.
In 1959, he made his first appearance on Bonanza as Carl Harris in Death on Sun Mountain.
Tracycap from Death On Sun Mountain
Tracycap from Death On Sun Mountain
He returned to Bonanza in 1960, playing Ike Daggert in Day of Reckoning.
Tracycap from Day of Reckoning
Tracycap from Day of Reckoning
He starred as the "drunken doomsdayer" in 1963's The Birds.
Karl kept busy during the 5os and 60s with roles in Sugarfoot, Bronco, Cheyenne, Black Saddle, The Rifleman, Gunsmoke and many others.
His voice was also well utilized in such animated features as The Sword in the Stone (1963) as the voice of Merlin.
His voice was also well utilized in such animated features as The Sword in the Stone (1963) as the voice of Merlin.
In 1965, he returned again to Bonanza as Dr. Woods in A Natural Wizard.
Tracycap from A Natural Wizard
Tracycap from A Natural Wizard
Here's Karl in 1967as Captain Nels Larson in Bonanza's Showdown At Tahoe.
Tracycap from Showdown At Tahoe
Tracycap from Showdown At Tahoe
Karl met Michael Landon on the set of Bonanza, and Michael remembered him when he began filming Little House On The Prairie. Cast in the recurring role of lumber mill owner Lars Hanson,Karl remained with the show until his death in 1978 of a heart attack. His character on the show also died.
Tracycap from LHOTP
Tracycap from LHOTP