Is Karl Swenson Living or Dead?
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Image info
Artist | Macfadden Publications |
---|---|
Credit | page 34 Radio Mirror |
License | pd |
Desc | Photo of Karl Swenson from the radio program Our Gal Sunday. |
Usage | Public domain |
American actor
Karl Swenson is ...
Dead
Born | 23 July 1908 in Brooklyn |
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Died | 8 October 1978 in Torrington |
Age | 70 years, 3 months |
Cause | myocardial infarction |
Sex or gender | male |
---|---|
Country of citizenship | United States of America |
Manner of death | natural causes |
Spouse | Joan Tompkins |
Occupation | actor, television actor and film actor |
About Karl Swenson
Karl Swenson was a versatile actor who left an indelible mark on American entertainment. Born on July 23, 1908, in Brooklyn, New York, Swenson began his career in theater before transitioning to film and television.
Swenson's early work in theater included roles in productions of "The Taming of the Shrew" and "The Merchant of Venice." He made his film debut in 1948's "The Naked City" and went on to appear in over 70 films, including "The Birds," "North by Northwest," and "The Miracle Worker."
In addition to his film work, Swenson was a prolific television actor, appearing in numerous popular shows such as "Gunsmoke," "The Twilight Zone," and "The Andy Griffith Show." He is perhaps best known for his role as Lars Hanson, the father of Little House on the Prairie's Nels Oleson.
Swenson's talent and versatility earned him critical acclaim throughout his career. He was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the Broadway production of "The Great White Hope" and received an Emmy nomination for his work on "Little House on the Prairie."
Swenson passed away on October 8, 1978, in Torrance, California, at the age of 70. His legacy lives on through his memorable performances and contributions to American entertainment.
References:
- "Karl Swenson." IMDb, IMDb.com, www.imdb.com/name/nm0842667/.
- "Karl Swenson." Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 22 Apr. 2021, www.biography.com/actor/karl-swenson.
About Death
Swenson died of a heart attack at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, Connecticut on October 8, 1978, shortly after filming the episode in which the Little House on the Prairie character Lars Hanson died. He was interred at Center Cemetery in New Milford, Connecticut.
Films - which cast members have died?
Karl Swenson has been a part of these films.
Click to see which cast and crew are living and dead!

The Birds
1963 film by Alfred Hitchcock

Major Dundee
1964 film by Sam Peckinpah

Vanishing Point
1971 film by Richard C. Sarafian

The Sons of Katie Elder
1965 film by Henry Hathaway

Judgment at Nuremberg
1961 film by Stanley Kramer

The Gallant Hours
1960 American biopic docu-drama

The Cincinnati Kid
1965 film by Norman Jewison

Seconds
1966 film by John Frankenheimer

Lonely Are the Brave
1962 film by Kirk Douglas, David Miller

North to Alaska
1960 film by Henry Hathaway, John Wayne

Ulzana's Raid
1972 film by Robert Aldrich

Kings Go Forth
1958 film by Delmer Daves

Walk on the Wild Side
1962 film by Edward Dmytryk

No Name on the Bullet
1959 film by Jack Arnold

Hour of the Gun
1967 film by John Sturges

The Prize
1963 film by Mark Robson

Flaming Star
1960 film by Don Siegel

The Hanging Tree
1959 film by Karl Malden, Delmer Daves

...tick...tick...tick...
1970 film by Ralph Nelson

Ice Palace
1960 film by Vincent Sherman

December 7th
1943 film by John Ford, Gregg Toland

The Spiral Road
1962 film by Robert Mulligan

The Wild Country
1970 film by Robert Totten

Brighty of the Grand Canyon
1967 film by Norman Foster
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