Karl Swenson
Biography
Karl Swenson was an American actor born on July 23, 1908, in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. He had a career spanning theatre, radio, film, and television. Swenson is remembered for his roles in Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds (1963) and Disney's The Sword in the Stone (1963). He appeared in various films, including The Prize (1963), Major Dundee (1965), The Sons of Katie Elder (1965), The Cincinnati Kid (1965), and Seconds (1966). On television, Swenson had guest roles in Westerns, such as episodes of Bonanza, The Virginian, and Gunsmoke, and a major recurring role as Lars Hanson on Little House on the Prairie from 1974 until his death in 1978.
Career overview
Karl Swenson was an American actor who had a diverse career in theatre, radio, film, and television. He appeared in various roles, including a notable part as the doomsayer in a diner in a 1963 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Swenson also provided the voice of a character in a 1963 animated film produced by Disney.
In addition to his film work, Swenson had a significant presence in television, with numerous guest roles in various shows, particularly Westerns. He appeared in episodes of popular series such as Bonanza, The Virginian, and Gunsmoke. Swenson also had a recurring role as the founder of Walnut Grove in a television show that aired from 1974 to 1978.
Throughout his career, Swenson accumulated a large number of credits, with over 119 known roles. His extensive experience in the entertainment industry spanned multiple genres and formats, demonstrating his versatility as an actor.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
149 titles- Disney Sing-Along Songs: Colors of the Wind (1995) as (voice) (archive footage)
- Disney's Sing-Along Songs: Under the Sea (1990) as Merlin (archive footage) (voice)
- Disney's Halloween Treat (1982) as Merlin (voice) (archive footage)
- The Amazing Spider-Man (1978)
- Disney's Greatest Villains (1977) as Merlin (voice) (archive footage)
- Little House on the Prairie (1974) as Lars Hanson
- Happy Days (1974)
- The Gun and the Pulpit (1974) as Adams
- Doc Elliot (1973)
- Emergency! (1972) as Gus
- Ghost Story (1972) as Ed Barnes
- Ulzana's Raid (1972) as Rukeyser
- The New Healers (1972) as Mr. Fisherman
- Cannon (1971)
- Vanishing Point (1971) as Clerk
- A Howling in the Woods (1971) as Apperson
- The Odd Couple (1970) as Captain Potter
- … tick… tick… tick… (1970) as Frank Braddock Sr.
- The Immortal (1970)
- The Wild Country (1970) as Jensen
- The Young Rebels (1970)
- Hawaii Five-O (1968) as Abel Morgan
- The Mod Squad (1968)
- The Outcasts (1968)
- Ironside (1967) as Vet
- Judd, for the Defense (1967)
- The Guns of Will Sonnett (1967)
- Cimarron Strip (1967)
- Cimarron Strip (1967) as Dr. Kihlgren
- Hour of the Gun (1967) as Dr. Charles Goodfellow
- Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night (1967) as Dr. Keller
- Mission: Impossible (1966) as Colonel Dubov
- Mission: Impossible (1966) as Dr. Ziegler
- Tarzan (1966)
- The Rat Patrol (1966) as Colonel Seidner
- CBS Playhouse (1966) as Dr. Keller
- Seconds (1966) as Dr. Morris
- Brighty of the Grand Canyon (1966) as Theodore Roosevelt
- Hogan's Heroes (1965) as Dr. Karl Svenson
- The Big Valley (1965) as Bert Hadley
- The Big Valley (1965) as Aaron Moyers
- The Big Valley (1965) as Steve Minter
- The Sons of Katie Elder (1965) as Doc Isdell
- Major Dundee (1965) as Captain Waller
- The Cincinnati Kid (1965) as Mr. Rudd
- Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (1964) as Col. Harper
- Profiles in Courage (1964) as Chynoweth
- The Fugitive (1963) as Axel Nielsen - Service station owner
- The Fugitive (1963) as Morgan
- The Lieutenant (1963)
- Mr. Novak (1963) as Mr. Haskell
- The Sword in the Stone (1963) as Merlin (voice)
- The Birds (1963) as Le prophète de malheur ivre au bar
- The Greatest Show on Earth (1963)
- The Dakotas (1963)
- The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters (1963) as Coley Bishop
- The Bill Dana Show (1963)
- The Man from Galveston (1963) as Sheriff
- The Prize (1963) as Hilding
- The Virginian (1962) as Col. Theodore Roosevelt
- The Virginian (1962) as Karl Swenson
- The Virginian (1962) as Ben Wallace
- The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962) as George Sherston
- Sam Benedict (1962)
- Sam Benedict (1962) as Barney Rosvalley
- Sam Benedict (1962) as Barney Rossvalley
- How the West Was Won (1962) as Train Conductor (uncredited)
- General Electric True (1962)
- Walk on the Wild Side (1962) as Schmidt
- The Spiral Road (1962) as Insp. Bevers
- Lonely are the Brave (1962) as Rev. Hoskins
- Dr. Kildare (1961) as Judge
- Ben Casey (1961)
- Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) as Heinrich Geuter
- The Andy Griffith Show (1960) as Mr. McBeevee
- Surfside 6 (1960)
- Outlaws (1960)
- The Westerner (1960) as Ben Potts
- Hong Kong (1960) as John Olwine
- The Gallant Hours (1960) as Bill Bailey
- North to Alaska (1960) as Lars Nordqvist
- One Foot in Hell (1960) as Sheriff Ole Olson
- Flaming Star (1960) as Dred Pierce
- Klondike (1960) as Judge Frank Weinstock
- Ice Palace (1960) as Scotty Ballantyne
- Bonanza (1959) as Carl Harris
- Rawhide (1959)
- The Rebel (1959) as Lew Bussey
- Hawaiian Eye (1959)
- Lock-Up (1959)
- Black Saddle (1959) as Dr. Wyle
- Johnny Ringo (1959) as Kramer
- Riverboat (1959) as Ansel Torgin
- Tightrope (1959)
- Mr. Lucky (1959)
- No Name on the Bullet (1959) as Stricker
- The Hanging Tree (1959) as Tom Flaunce
- The Rifleman (1958) as Chris Manse
- Bat Masterson (1958) as Jim Pate
- The Texan (1958)
- 77 Sunset Strip (1958)
- 77 Sunset Strip (1958) as Marty Kline
- Bronco (1958)
- Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (1958)
- Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (1958) as Van Kemp
- Kings Go Forth (1958) as The Colonel
- Gateways to the Mind (1958) as Hal - the Cameraman (uncredited)
- Perry Mason (1957) as Axel Norstaad
- Perry Mason (1957) as Corley Ketchum
- Perry Mason (1957) as Charles Norman
- Perry Mason (1957) as Unk Hazekian
- Maverick (1957) as Captain Nares
- Maverick (1957) as Sheriff Griffin
- Maverick (1957) as General Josiah Warren
- Have Gun, Will Travel (1957)
- Leave It to Beaver (1957) as George Haskell
- Sugarfoot (1957) as Andy Burke
- Sugarfoot (1957) as Alexi Sharlokov
- Sugarfoot (1957) as Dennis O'Hara
- Sugarfoot (1957) as Bill Manning
- Trackdown (1957)
- The Walter Winchell File (1957)
- The Court of Last Resort (1957)
- Four Boys and a Gun (1957) as Mr. Badek
- Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (1956) as Lee Willis
- Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (1956) as Lud Greening
- Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (1956) as Will Harmon
- The Adventures of Jim Bowie (1956) as Andre Rochambeau
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Hank Luz
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Raff
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Hutch
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Adam
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Tabe
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Ian McGovern
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Lars Karlgren
- Gunsmoke (1955) as McGruder
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Mr. Hubert
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) as Ed Holland
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) as John
- Playwrights '56 (1955)
- Alice in Wonderland (1955) as Humpty Dumpty
- Lassie (1954)
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) as Laredo Marshal (uncredited)
- Portia Faces Life (1954)
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Humpty Dumpty
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Asmussen
- Robert Montgomery Presents (1950)
- December 7th (1943) as Machine-Gunner (uncredited)
- Strangers All (1935) as Protester at Communist Meeting
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Karl Swenson best known for?
Karl Swenson is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including A Tale of Two Sisters (2003), An Inconvenient Truth (2006), Happy Days (1974), Panic in Year Zero! (1962).
When and where was Karl Swenson born?
Karl Swenson was born on July 23, 1908 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. They passed away on October 8, 1978.
How many credits does Karl Swenson have?
Karl Swenson has accumulated over 149 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1935 to 1995.
What is Karl Swenson's background in cinema and television?
Karl Swenson was an American actor born on July 23, 1908, in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. He had a career spanning theatre, radio, film, and television. Swenson is remembered for his roles in Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds (1963) and Disney's The Sword in the Stone (1963). He appeared in various films, includi...
Karl Swenson by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Humpty Dumpty — aged about 42
- Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) as Heinrich Geuter — aged about 52
- Little House on the Prairie (1974) as Lars Hanson — aged about 65
- Emergency! (1972) as Gus — aged about 63
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) as Laredo Marshal (uncredited) — aged about 45
- The Odd Couple (1970) as Captain Potter — aged about 61
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