By Request - The Life and "HAPPY" Ending of Charles Lane

#thelifeandsadending #petticoatjunction
A mini bio of actor Charles Lane. He most famously appeared on Petticoat Junction and in the film It's a wonderful life.

[@paulthanasse7405]

I'm 65...and yes, he was in virtually everything when I was a kid, tv and movies...wonderful character actor...so happy he had a great long life

[@theodoreolson8529]

"As I say, it's no skin off my nose. But one of these days this bright young man is going to be asking George Bailey for a job." I love that guy.

[@ksw501]

You beat me to it

[@rf159a]

Exactly the quote I was thinking of!!

[@sgrant39]

I used to hunt rabbits there…..

[@pjshutout3480]

I always used to say that Mr. Potter's "little rent collector" was his only employee that wasn't afraid of him. That's what always stood out to me in that scene.

[@troytrexler5459]

He was among the last surviving people to live through the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire.

[@TheLifeandSadEnding]

How about that, he was old.

[@veronicasiegfried2712]

I remember as a kid he was in everything we watched, and as an adult watching old movies, he was always there. It's nice to hear he was married only once and lived a long, happy life.❤

[@David-yw2lv]

He was the ultimate villain as Homer Bedloe in Petticoat Junction.

[@Sherwoody]

He also played a rather salty shop keeper, Mr Finch, in Dennis the Menace.

[@toddfowler4017]

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[@andrews527]

He should have been in Spectre.

[@michaelinhouston9086]

He was awesome - I loved the episodes he was on.

[@clydegatell7015]

I had the privilege of being an acting student of the Wonderful Ruth Lane at UCLA! Thank you Ruth!!

[@bloqk16]

Charles Lane was so highly regarded in [US] TV that upon his passing, in 2007, the "CBS Evening News with Katie Couric" devoted a couple of minutes in its TV network newscast to that legendary man's career. To paraphrase Couric in that report: _'You may not know his name, but definitely his face on TV.'_

[@richarddamico5639]

He was a great character actor! What a wonderful, long life he had.

[@bobbylee2853]

A life well lived cannot end sadly.😊

[@Boomersdth]

This gentleman was one of the most recognizable faces on t v A man that you love to hate. And he always played with such enthusiasm He truly was a wonderful actor

[@richdorak1547]

Absolutely top 10 great character actors of all time .

[@creech54]

I remember his appearance on "The Odd Couple" (early '70s). He bursts onto the set and says his first line and the audience bursts into cheers/applause. Completely spontaneous and unexpected, as it was just another small part with a few lines. I'm sure it made his day.

[@godfreymccammon4531]

I have seen Charles Lane in tv shows and movies my whole life...and enjoyed all of his roles.

[@SuperAnimelover100]

I never knew his name but Charles was one actor you never forget ! :)

[@johnkelly7757]

So many favorites:"The Music Man" & "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken" are the first to come to mind.

[@phylliswurm9473]

He was a great actor and had the great ability to play a "meanie" for sure. Good video.

[@brigcastle]

One of my favorites. Always working, character actor.

[@marlenepearson3936]

He was in everthing. Wonderful actor. I remember him best from Petticoat Junction. A life well lived. 🎉

[@toddfowler4017]

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[@stever1791]

Charles was a Wonderful Actor. He was in many shows and always lived up to a great performance

[@aadamtx]

Charles Lane was one of my favorite character actors, and I've turned "Spot Lane" into a drinking game when watching older films or tv episodes.

[@jrinmichigan3678]

He was great! One of the best character actors of all time. He had so many roles, it's hard to pick just one. But, I do remember the Bewitched episode where he played a Scrooge like character that owned a soup company and he wanted to do business on Christmas Eve. When Darrin refused, he storms out of the Stephens house and goes home to bed. Of course Samantha shows him the way through her witchcraft. He played a good Scrooge. Very entertaining.

[@theageofisgone]

Loved all the different roles he played in so many movies and TV shows! And happily married for seventy years with two children, a son and a daughter, lived to a ripe old age of 102, yes he absolutely had a wonderful life!!!

[@TuckerSP2011]

He had an amazing, long career! Yes, not a household name but he was definitely a household face.

[@chuckinnc4184]

Always loved seeing him in TV and movies. He had a very long career and always looked the same at every age. My favs are "It's a Wonderful Life," "Murphy's Romance," and the Andy Griffith Show, season 4 episode, "Aunt Bee the Crusader."

[@matteng2332]

I was a latchkey kid in the late 70s and early 80s. I didn’t have many friends. I grew up in front of the TV. Every time an actor from that. Passes away I feel like I’ve lost an old friend. I really enjoy your videos. Have a great day, sir.

[@misottovoce]

Indeed a happy ending at THAT high age! He was such a likeable 'mean man'. Thank you for this...one saw him in so many films...but it's nice to have a name and background to his well known face!

[@rajo741]

He was always brilliant. A great and talented actor. It’s a joy to watch him.

[@Gwpix1]

He attended an awards show in the 90s ( I think ), and the person on stage acknowledged him and his long great career. After the applause died down someone gave him a microphone, and he proudly said in that familiar voice , " I'm 92, and I'm still available ". Great moment.

[@jons.6216]

Funny to see him in earlier roles because he pretty much looked like a younger version of the same character! Haha!

[@saulchapnick1566]

Actually he always looked the same age. A curmudgeonly old man.

[@peggypieters661]

Just saw him in two Blondie movies; he was everywhere in the movies and on tv. He was truly a superb character actor.❤️

[@williamwelch7]

Thanks Steve. It would probably be easier to list the shows he wasn't in.

[@TheLifeandSadEnding]

You got that right.

[@dianecaldwell5237]

I remember him in a brief video shortly before he died in which he said that if anyone had a role for him, he was still working! Thanks for the video.

[@Daisnap]

So glad you have paid tribute to Charles Lane! I understand he was close friends with Byron Foulger and Moroni Olsen, two other very accomplished and talented character actors who appeared in many classic films. Byron Foulger was married to gifted actress Dorothy Adams and their daughter Rachel Ames played a running role on General Hospital for about forty years!!

[@robbyjobarton2637]

Thank you for telling his story and his name. I remember him quite well, being 73 . Can't say I had a favorite scene

[@fdouglas5172]

I remember him from a lot of shows. He was so good as the judge on the tv show Soap in season 1. That one always stood out for me.

[@toddfowler4017]

When he opens his robe for Mrs.Tate, hilarious!!🤣😂🤣

[@deepcow]

I remember seeing him on many TV shows of the 1960’s & 1970’s.

[@mariovaccarella6854]

Great Video. Great Character Actor. Appeared in more than any appearances ever, in Film & TV. RIP Charles Lane

[@wannabe41]

A wonderful character actor! I loved him In It’s a wonderful life and Murphy’s Romance is one of my favorite films because of its message that you can still find love when you’re “old.” I’m so glad he had a long marriage and lived to a very ripe old age.

[@mtwhatley3253]

A movie line from the 80s has always stuck with me. “ everything ends badly, or else it wouldn’t end “.

[@tonyarichards5430]

Never knew his name until now. What a resume. Wow. Thanks Steve!

[@pegschwalbach2500]

The Ghost and Mr Chicken! I loved him 😊❤ He was a great actor!

[@jameshein-jo8je]

Long marriage, long life, great actor! We need more of these!

[@chesterthawkins7510]

Remember him well - great actor!

[@christesta2521]

Charles Lane was such a versatile actor. I'm sure he worked more than some of the big name stars. I'll always remember him in almost every sitcom of the 1950's and '60's. I knew if he was going to be in a movie or sitcom it was going to be good. He was one of my favorite character actors along side Bert Mustin. Thanks for sharing.

[@Wolfinger1935]

Charles Lane and Burt Mustin... the two perpetually old men of my youth. Both great characters in whatever show or movie they appeared in.

[@DarrellWefel-ts2kr]

This actor brings back find memories of My youth !!! Supporting actors like this are not Rewarded enough in Hollywood !!!

[@saulchapnick1566]

It was so much watching old movies and “catching “ Charles Lane in some scene. He never received top billing, so it was always a surprise seeing him. Darn good actor. Always made a difference in whatever scene he was tasked to act in.

[@shangs-sonnybonoteardownth5744]

Thanks - who could forget his acidic comedic presence in s-o-o-o-o many movies and TV shows...!!!!

[@RickW-HGWT]

A good character actor can make the film, we need more like him, R.I.P.

[@fredbiden868]

watched him in so many films and tv shows...great actor

[@juleswins3]

Finally! “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

[@Tabby7]

It takes a nice, kind person to play “mean and irascible” so well, and with such longevity. Margaret Hamilton was also representative of that. A lovely and cultivated lady. May they both rest in peace.

[@kevinconner2425]

He was absolutely great.

[@acebrandon3522]

Petticoat Junction and Bewitched were my favorite Mean Dickey C. Lane shows as a kid in the 60's.

[@toddfowler4017]

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[@josephryan6593]

His biggest asset was his voice which was very distinctive tone. If I closed my eyes and you played his voice track I would know who it was.

[@ralphromeo7066]

Charles was a mainstay for over thirty years in film and television. Forever cast as a "meanie," Charles was, in actuality, so much more. He was a fine actor who apparently enjoyed great longevity with his passing at the ripe age of 102.

[@PC-dc1kv]

I loved him in the Andy Griffith Christmas show where he played Ben, the Scrooge type who tried to ruin Christmas for everybody. In the end, he gave presents to everybody and toys to the kids. ❤

[@banjo1241]

Petticoat Junction

[@toddfowler4017]

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[@toddfowler4017]

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[@waltonwarrior7428]

Without question one of the all-time great character actors. It only goes to show you don’t have to be a leading actor to have a very successful Hollywood career.

[@AlanEmmons-qw6bg]

Thanks for the happy ending! He as familiar as Burt Mustin my old buddy Burt!!😁💙. Damn spell check!!😡

[@razorsedge7100]

I remember him and God bless him.

[@rondpert5167]

I forget the name, but probably back around 2005, a family cable channel held a 100 birthday show for Lane. With a sharp mind, he quipped "I'm still available for work."

[@toddfowler4017]

It was TV land. Personally, if I were in need of an old grump, I would have hired him on the spot‼️👓

[@danieloneil2012]

He was the best when it came to meanness he stood out above everyone else why this man never won and Academy Award has a supporting actor or character actor is beyond me Life is not always fair but it’s sad that it happens so often what a character his memory is still very vivid in my mind and I’m 75 years old what a cruel world we live in that people are not recognized oh but criminals are

[@dakotaseven947]

This character actor was my favorite and hilarious. It’s great talent to be so serious and have you laugh. He could do my taxes and have me crackin up. He would have been perfect on the movie Airplane or Naked Gun.

[@Hammydavis]

He truly was the king of mean, crotchety absolutely describes this character actor

[@richardreger6026]

Great character actor

[@michaelknapp8961]

I remember him!!! I’m pushing 60 And I remember him very well.

[@williampalchak7574]

He lived a long life by not bottling up his anger.

[@lindaross783]

I watched the funniest episode of a Christmas Bewitched. He was hilarious!!!!

[@user-mv4be1tc2u]

Certainly a master of his craft, he could make you hate him he was that good.

[@heidikersey7280]

Hi, I love your video. My favorite video was the one he performed in bewitched xmas show. I had the bewitched xmas DVD, and I used to put it on every year when we were putting up the xmas tree . I can see my parents and my daughter when she was a child all putting up the tree listening to the xmas bewitched show. Awe, what a memory ❤

[@TheLifeandSadEnding]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@wanorman2007]

Married to the same woman for 70 years. In Hollywood, that's unheard of.

[@barbaramattson817]

THE GREAT CHARLES LANE. ANYTHING HE WAS IN, HE MADE BETTER.

[@margaretthomas8899]

MY favourite movie he was in Rose Of Washington Square.

[@silentnight3235]

I liked him in those sit coms. R.I.P Sir.

[@Generaledger]

My favourite story about him was in 1990 when he was taken to the hospital with breathing problems a doctor asked if he was still smoking. He stated he'd kicked the habit. When the Doctor asked when, he replied 45 minutes ago.

[@alejandroperez-yy9ym]

An absolute legend

[@richandfrancescaarriola5965]

I remembered him in I Love Lucy. I also remember him on Andy Griffith.

[@lordpeterwimsey851]

Loved him in various roles on Dobie Gillis especially "Love is a Science"

[@jeannehall6546]

Isn’t that so true of many character actors- the ones who usually play villains or grumpy, grouchy types are usually the nicest people in the world in real life!

[@jujubee2141]

He was on I Love Lucy a lot. I love the one where his wife was gonna have a baby and he was hoping for a boy because he already had 6 or 7 girls. He was pacing all over, I guess like men used to do in the “old days”. He played a lot of good characters.

[@georgediederich2035]

He was great in everything the movie 20yh century is one

[@BBJohnny52]

I remember him in alot of different shows. I didn't realize he was 102 WOW 😲

[@Daisnap]

Mr. Lane had an atypically dramatic role in the astounding TV movie Sybil about the young woman with 16 personalities starring Sally Field. Charles Lane played the old family doctor who shows Sybil’s psychiatrist (Joanne Woodward) Sybil’s childhood medical records. As he reviews them, he realizes with a sickening thud that Sybil was very likely the victim of severe child abuse from her mother and he had looked the other way at the time. Powerful scene in a great movie. Brad Davis and Martine Bartlett also starred.

[@StephenHP62]

In an episode of the TV series Get Smart, Lane played Maxwell Smart's uncle. He pays a visit to Max, who must hide his identity as a secret agent by posing as a shoe salesman. The scene in the shoe store is hilarious. Earlier in his career, Lane a small part in the Marx Brothers film, The Big Store (1941), playing a finance company agent.

[@Stuff_And_Things]

He was soo good at playing the crabby guy. ;)

[@gregmilliken9659]

If I remember correctly, he played Mason Adams's character 's Dad on "Lou Grant". He did it so well that I thought they were really father & son!

[@jsmcguireIII]

We call out Charles Lane all the time in old movies and TV. He is a San Franscico original and long-time friend of Lucille Ball. His greatest line: "NINE GIRLS"

[@AndyTempleman-ot6lu]

Homer Bedloe a classic meanie from Petticoat Junction! I'm a big fan of Charles! RIP!

[@TheLifeandSadEnding]

When I found out around 2005 that he was still alive, I couldn't believe it.

[@toddfowler4017]

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[@sallykohorst8803]

I know him and thanks.

[@jasonmohning1708]

Loved him as Mr. Finch on Dennis the Menace.

[@blockcl]

IMO Mr. Lane's endearing quality was that, while he usually played a grouch, there was always a hint of kindness buried in the bluster. He was more cantankerous than mean.

[@TomSmith-ls5rn]

Another great video!! Thank you!

[@GoneButNot4Cotton]

I liked him as the judge in a recurring role in the TV sitcom Soap.

[@peterm1826]

I remember him in a lot of tv shows.

[@yosephyisrael37]

I had him as old Ben in the Andy Griffith show

[@anonymouscrank]

He played old guys for something like 60 years. Amazing!

[@cdm1972]

God bless him.

[@michaelcanestraro2849]

They made a special introduction of him at t hff e SAG Awards one year. He announced: I'm available for work!

[@otaku1524]

He was in 'It's A Wonderful Life' and yeah, Petticoat Junction, as Home Bedloe.. Weaned on a pickle, but he was a Grumpy Old Man before they became fashionable!