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Karl Swenson

Karl Swenson

Actor · born 23 July 1908 · Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Karl Swenson (July 23, 1908 – October 8, 1978) was an American theatre, radio, film, and television actor. Swenson is remembered for his role as the doomsayer in the diner in Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds (1963) and as the voice of Merlin in Disney's The Sword in the Stone (1963). On television, he had numerous credits in guest roles on various shows, especially Westerns, including episodes of Bonanza, The Virginian, and Gunsmoke. He had a major recurring role as Walnut Grove founder Lars Hanson on Little House on the Prairie (1974 - 1978).

Swenson also had roles in The Prize (1963), Major Dundee (1965), The Sons of Katie Elder (1965), The Cincinnati Kid (1965), Seconds (1966), Hour of the Gun (1967), ...tick...tick...tick... (1970), The Wild Country (1970), Vanishing Point (1971) and Ulzana's Raid (1972).

Where to start: Judgment at Nuremberg (1961).

As actor 39

TV shows 22

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Karl Swenson movie?

By viewer score, Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) at 8.0/10.

What are Karl Swenson’s most popular movies?

The Birds, The Sword in the Stone, Judgment at Nuremberg.

How many movies has Karl Swenson made?

39 films on TMDB, 39 as actor.

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