Remembering David Hedison Tribute: Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea

July 22, 2019 update: With great sadness, we found out today that one of our favorite actors of all-time, David Hedison, passed away at the age of 92. His daughters, Alexandra and Serena, were by his side when he died. Said his family in a statement:
“Even in our deep sadness, we are comforted by the memory of our wonderful father. He loved us all dearly and expressed that love every day. He was adored by so many, all of whom benefitted from his warm and generous heart. Our dad brought joy and humor wherever he went and did so with great style.”
RIP David Hedison, and thank you.
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Continuing with our review of this special season and the 'Space/Sci-Fi/Fantasy segment of the schedule, today we look at one of television's all-time outstanding producers, Irwin Allen, and his first big hit on television - Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.
This clip is from the outstanding 1995 TV documentary special: 'The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen', and features host June Lockhart (more on her big hit series Lost In Space this coming week!) and interview with one of my all time heroes, David Hedison.
Hedison played Seaview Commander Lee Crane, and co-starred with Richard Basehart, who played Admiral Harriman Nelson. Also shown in this clip are scenes from the pilot episode, which also guest starred one of the television's best and favorites - Eddie Albert (more on Mr. Albert later this month!)
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea ran four seasons on ABC, from September 14, 1964 to March 31, 1968. Like so many other television series honored here at Television Vanguard, 'Voyage' is also available on DVD box sets - outstanding series and DVD collection. Like so many other series during this 1960's era, 'Voyage' was filmed in black and white during the 1964 and 1965 seasons, and in color during the final two+ seasons from 1965-1968.
We'll be paying tribute to the great Irwin Allen all this coming week, but it is important to learn just how much he and Gene Rodenberry in particular advanced the technology behind special efforts on television series. Both men had amazing minds and imaginations, and television is all the better for it.
This video clip is presented here on KZbin for the entertainment and informational value of the viewer, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Enjoy!

[@mariaeugeniamercadomolina2573]

Rip Captain Lee Crane. Foverer and never in my heart. My sweet love . Good bye 😢

[@mikejessup9304]

The show actually got me into trouble in first grade. My teacher wrote home to my folks telling them, I don't think you should let him watch the show for a while! He's obsessed, and it's all he talks about! Lol! Circa 1967

[@daniel4one916]

i love David Hedison, and Richard Basehard. both have left us but our childhood memories are alive

[@jamesschulte2808]

Richard Baseharts voice was unforgettable

[@dianabeets5854]

I loved voyaged to the bottom of the sea. thank you and RIP Capt Lee Crane .

[@justicewokeisutterbs8641]

As a little kid I was a real fanatic about this show. I remember getting really unhappy if we didn't get home in time to catch it. I loved the Seaview, I thought it was beautiful and used to draw pictures of it a lot.

[@jackpayne5101]

Georgious guy always adored him, God Bless David and give our love to Richard ❤

[@leelarue1354]

A great actor -- The Fly, two James Bond movies, and of course, co-star with Richard Basehart in Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. A gentleman of the highest order. He will be missed for many years.

[@tombrad9950]

Im 55 years old .i would just like to say david hedison aka captain lee crane will always be in my memories voyage to the bottom of the sea may have been the best science fiction drama ever made.they were way ahead of there time probably the only series that could compete with star trek back then .R i P captain crane we will never forget you. god bless you.and the sea view

[@alexp3752]

Growing up in LA in the 1960', I truly loved this wonderful program! The cast was simply amazing with Mr. Basehart was the ideal admiral, inventor, scientist and leader, while Mr. Hedison always brought to my mind what a true gentleman should be. I believe they inspired many young men of that era in countless ways. Although they have passed into the next level, their legacy lives on! Thanks to Mr. Allen for all the memorable entertainment he gave us in a time when America and the world was in its ascendancy. Thank you!

[@j.vi-geant6784]

I'm so sorry David passed, I thought he'd live forever. I bet his girls have great memories.

[@rooftopvoter3015]

My dad and I always watched this show and howled everytime a new 'monster' was attacking the Seaview.

[@dexterdanieltnt]

Growing up in the Caribbean, this show was one of the few series we had of this genre. The show was one of my favourites. David and Richard were both great. Actors often do not know how many lives they may touch and influence. Glad to have seen his work.

[@excelsciors]

David always spoke highly of Richard Basehart. RIP David and thank you for all the years of service on TV!

[@johnt7630]

Richard Basehart was so well spoken that you could easily mistake him for being British.

[@Juliaflo]

He was from Zanesville, Ohio, I think.

[@bobmissymeyer3783]

Loved David Hedison since the Voyage premier in 1964 when I was 5 years old. Got to meet him in 1998. What a nice guy. So pleasant. So upbeat. So kind. So sad he’s gone. And Richard Basehart and all of them. RIP gentlemen. 🙏🏻💔

[@alexp3752]

Keep in mind, the talents and attributes of these wonderful gentlemen were needed elsewhere, and we will see them again!

[@Antonio-hr2nu]

Mrs David Hedison family in Brazil, my countrie.

[@Illusions2020]

Enjoyed this show immensely as so many others that i was just fortunate enough to also had a Model Kit of the Seaview Submarine. Testor's Glue and put together pieces, not too big but not small either. I'm about dead probably myself closing in on 70 years old and i still watch this TV Series via a HDMI Cable to my flat screen & Laptop! These actors were magnificent, well selected whether by chance or choice. I still wish "Curly", Henry Kulky, would have been able to live beyond the first season or two more. The series and all members/cast/creators sure made this 1960's Show a memorable one. Thanks for Sharing.

[@edwardmorley5273]

Met David a couple of times and he always talked so warmly and affectionately about Richard basehart.. He was a real gentleman indeed, a memory of meeting him I still cherish.

[@johnrider5701]

One of my favourite shows when I was a kid.

[@robertgreen4050]

Loved this show growing up never missed a episode RIP 🙏 to all that have passed I will always remember

[@leokriss1591]

Dear captain Crane,dear admiral Nelson...how nice that they were friends with such a beatiful relationship in real life too. Thank you dears.🙏🙏💙

[@gabrielhalston6726]

Soooo good to see June Lockhart in this tribute! She is now 99 years old....she's a wonderful and godly lady....God bless you, June!

[@adrianotero7963]

Watched every single episode back in the 80's......loved it.

[@BushCampingTools]

Still watching the episodes, fantastic!

[@kafan439]

This show was so amazing. Irwin Allen shows were all so watchable but this one really holds a special place in my memory, in no small part due to Richard and David.

[@robharding4028]

Brilliant Innovative classic ! By a real master of Sci Fi television.Irwin Allen !

[@gloriaannopperman2734]

Wonderful actor David Hedison aka Captain Lee Crane. I loved watching this show and continue to do so on my phone today. Such a handsome guy. Rest in peace aboard the great ship in Heaven..Texas fan

[@johncarroll9986]

another great actor sadly no longer with us rest in peace David Hedason

[@samuelisrael7586]

I was a little boy but i remember very well Quanta saudade!!

[@leilal8053]

I had the Biggest CRUSH on David Hedison!😍🤗

[@sandrasanders706]

Me too..and Mark Goddard of Lost in Space, another Irwin Allen Show.

[@SSRN_SEAVIEW]

RIP to the cast and crew of the Seaview!! You are missed!

[@moishe43]

Wonderful man. So human.

[@lazyhazeldaisy9596]

I remember when I used to watch Voyage when I was young I couldn't take my eyes off that beautiful man Lee Crane mmm!

[@jaimepimenta8096]

R. I. P. David Hedison.

[@vancetrigger]

great actor...RIP thank you

[@nrcg2317]

It made its debut exactly 54 years ago today September 14, 2018. Incredible how quickly time has passed. The Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea cast became part of our family as we sat around a black & white television set to watch this great program. Unforgettable days for me as an 8-year old boy when the series began.

[@lisanidog8178]

I was 5 when this show premiered. I used to watch and Hedison was my favorite. I was attracted to his friendly face.

[@argerinejordan4703]

This man has aged like fine wine. Great actor. I used to have the biggest crush on him. Still handsome as ever!!

[@penelopepennington3838]

Haha I did too!!

[@AlphaOne2009]

Let me preface this by saying I am a heterosexual male. That said, David, Unlike the rest of us mere mortals, just kept getting more and more handsome as he got older. This was a damn good looking man!

[@AlphaOne2009]

@@hateisbad You made me smile, Aundra:)

[@shedjammer87]

"and I forgot my line" had me rollin!!

[@excelsciors]

David was also in a great film called Enemy Below with Robert Mitchum. David was excellent on that film!

[@juliehawkins3907]

Thank you so much for wonderful fantasies you gave me and my family! Reality sometimes bites!

[@Turrican60]

I absolutely loved this show as a child and always saw David Hedison and Richard Basehart as my big heroes. Half a century later and nothing has changed - they will always be magnificent actors in my eyes. Thank heavens that David accepted the role of Captain Crane because nobody else could have pulled it off quite like Mr. Hedison did. David, I salute you, Sir - thank you for Voyage and for my many happy memories of this wonderfully iconic show. Bless you.

[@idalinaelias2692]

Tinha que ser dublado nem

[@leelarue1354]

I concur with everything you said. Television today cannot compare with the heroes and role models of the '60's.

[@paulhasenauer4166]

David Hedison, Richard Basehart ,two awesome actors, i got Hedison's autograph as a kid, i was on top of the world.!

[@timscroggins2345]

Master peice Thank you god 🙏

[@gloriaannopperman2734]

Such a handsome guy and great actor! This show has continued to this day to be one of my all time faves along with Bonanza and Hawaii five-0! During my 68 years of life I will admit I had crushes on Lee Crane (David Hedison),James MacArthur as Danny on 5 o, and Pernell Roberts as Adam on Bonanza! Then I progressed to the Dallas Cowboys with a crush for Charlie Waters! America's Team was my team and keyed on Charlie! I watched him getting the arm broken and I watched him come back with the arm always protected against further damage. I watched him getting his bell rung numerous times and saw the devastation knee injuries but he always came back! I was Blessed to view Roger Staubach's "Hail Mary " pass as well! YES, I was and still am a big fan of all these wonderful guys whom I have been Blessed to view thru the years! I have them all filed in my heart as well as my precious hubby Jerry of 27 years and our wonderful fur baby Sugar Bear! A devoted Tx fan of all these greats and I will forever love my Jerry and Sugar Bear! Blessings! 👩‍🦳🐾🙏🌊 almost forgot...I am also a fan of Alex O'loughlin aka Steve Mcgarrett of 5 oasis well! 🌊🇺🇸👩‍🦳🐾💕💕

[@karendegraaf1146]

Shared your crush on Pernell Roberts. 😄 Got to meet Lorne Greene at opening of big Chevrolet dealership back in the 60s

[@albertoanticona1212]

Fue una serie,que nunca me podía perder,fue unas de mis favoritas,que apena llegaba del colegio de frente ala TV,son lindos recuerdos de mi niñez que aún perdura en mis recuerdos,gracias por tan bonita serie👍🇵🇪

[@bluefinger100]

what a great Memories and sweet to remember when I was a kid and watch this wonderful series with my late father.

[@user-rf9ne3sl6p]

Great show i got hooked on this and the fugitive. Lot of great 60s show.alot like star trek

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

Not a lot of comments but the ones that are here are all very heartfelt. It was wonderful reading them all. Wish we could all go to a theater together and watch a few episodes.

[@mindyambrose3461]

I am so sorry 🙏 to hear this. I was a big fan.

[@robertcubinelli4961]

I loved the Deadly Dolls episode with 3 huge actors in it together: Basehart, Hedison & Vincent Price. Unforgettable episode and show :)

[@juliehawkins3907]

I haven't seen it yet but thank you for the FYI 😊 Appreciate it 😊

[@fw1421]

I watched this show every week. It was a I thought about as an 11 year old. Amazes me I didn’t join the Navy when I was 18.

[@cchang950141]

In Taiwan this show ran on around 3pm. I watched it right after I finished school.

[@RammatRamzi]

Strange seeing him old. Growing up, this guy seemed to never age.

[@beneditoguilerme5975]

Opinião democrática!!!! Viagem ao Fundo do Mar, fez parte da minha infancia, quando foi lançada eu tinha 6 anos e depois na Adolescência. Amor de verdade essa série. abraços a todos

[@nancydionisi9346]

Thank you for everything David!, you with Richard Basehart are great actors, I love your performances and all cast of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, I continue watching it, it´s wonderful!

[@Turrican60]

It's the same for me, Nancy - watching it makes me feel younger than 57! Yes, they were great actors indeed...and a perfect match as Nelson and Crane. It was very popular here in England, and is still great to watch even after all these years.

[@nancydionisi9346]

Yes Turrican60, here in Argentina it was very popular too, it´s a pleasure to watch it, let´s continue enjoying this wonderful TV program, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea forever!!

[@Turrican60]

Well, I will be watching it till the day I die, Nancy, so you will never be alone, even if you are thousands of miles away in Argentina! The show gave me many happy times as a child, and I've never forgotten the wonderful characters that were created by the excellent cast. Just wondering how old you are, Nancy, if that's okay?

[@nancydionisi9346]

Me too Turrican60 (what´s your name?), I feel the same, I´ll be watching it till the day I die. I watch it almost every night and I always enjoy it so much, like a child!, I´m 50 years old. My favourite TV shows from that time are: first of all: "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea", then "The Invaders", "The Time Tunnel", and "Bonanza" and "The Ingalls family".

[@6153calme]

Actor David Hedison before he became Captain Lee Crain on the 1960s TV Underwater SciFi series Voyage to the bottom of the Sea. He served in the USN. In the 1950s and 1960s he appeared in movies. He played a scientist who conducts experiments using a matter transferring machine and a fly flies in the machine and he accidentally turns himself into a fly. In the 1958 SciFi thriller The Fly. In the 1970s and 1980s to 2017. David Hedison appeared in TV soap operas Another World and The Young and the Restless. David Hedison and the all cast of the TV SciFi series Voyage to the bottom of Sea. RIP.

[@AstralPixie]

Thanks for posting. Sad to hear of David Hedison's passing.

[@carlacrawford9349]

We need more actors like David Hedison. Wish I could have met him. RIP David

[@robharding4028]

What a nice tribute to his co star by David Hedison

[@starfleet-verdadero9808]

THANK YOU FOR EVER !! :)

[@lazyhazeldaisy9596]

One can only hope that David had met up again with Richard and his other friend Roger Moore, God Bless them all.🙏

[@MrPolymers]

I met David Hedison at a Wonderfest Event in Louisville, KY back around 2004. It was a Sci Fi convention where my son sculpted and sold his Dinosaurs. I almost did not recognize him. He had a beard and almost looked like one of the Amish here where I live in Ohio. David was well educated and attended Brown University. He was also surprisingly shorter than I had thought. I'm 6'1" and towered over him. I did not know he passed away....

[@robertosouza1650]

Look at his face. Nobody would say this guy is almost 90 years old.

[@whitewitchoz]

I agree, him and Sean Connery shows us men how to age.

[@cygnuscreations7038]

Not in the slightest. May God have his soul in peaceful embrace.

[@ricardoreis4307]

Eu era criança e não perdia um só episódio. Parabéns pela postagem. Gosto muito deste seriado.

[@franciscorojas4523]

Muy buena serie yo la veia el dia domingo tenia como 15 años 👍👍👍👍🇨🇱

[@claudiaoliveira3783]

I love captain Crane so much. 🤩😍🥰

[@antjuansampson3877]

One of my favorite shows along with Lost In Space, from that time.

[@sciencemansandera]

Hedison made a fantastic captain I still love the show today. I wish they could remake it all of the models are on Pinterest guys have them in their backyard LOL I started to write Headison a letter before he passed to thank him for all the great memories because I used to watch this with my father and my four brothers. I remember when color TVs came out. Then I'll never forget me and my little brother used to wrestle around and stuff and we be yelling for damage control or breaking out protective shields LOL from shows like this and star trek and stuff. My dad used to do taxidermy on the side and one of the bedrooms we had was one Revo real big room and I used to fly a pheasant over at brother in the dark yelling attack lol the show is really timeless, the special effects and studio that was built in the 60s is not all that far out a date that it wouldn't work today I mean we've had advances in computers and stuff but everything still looks cool in from a military standpoint the torpedo room and everything it was just cool and you kind of liked all the characters on the show too they all just seem cool. I also like the Captain Nemo movies there's just something about sci-fi underwater exploration I find it really interesting even though after watching some real submarines it's really nothing like that because it's very dark down there they basically see by radar. Sometimes I like the wild job they did on the creatures and stuff. The thing is there is still a huge following to the show today and people are still building models of the SeaView we should write letters to the network and tell them to bring the show back they on Hasbro so they all know the toy companies and the truth is they could make a fortune on a show like this again just with the models and toys lunchboxes and just all the stuff we used to have back in the 60s and 70s. I'm glad I got to grow up when I did the world today seems like no fun And it's cool video games are and stuff they don't get kids outside the way a minibike or go kart or something like we had back in the day did

[@mariadelcarmensalaslopez1019]

Es y sera mi serie preferida. Que lastima que ya no las pongan. Era una serie muy adelantada en su época.

[@ginamoraes4052]

Que descanse em paz.

[@excelsciors]

I am sure Richard Basehart liked Al Hedison just as much! Both were classy actors. Will be sad when Al Hedison passes on one day!

[@neskire]

Sadly, he died on July 18, 2019.

[@robertcubinelli4961]

Great goofs by Hedison.....great actor indeed.

[@sandramara4394]

David era lindo, mesmo mais velho.

[@jaycraig5406]

A very important part of my child hood , my mother use to refer to David Hedison (capt crane as pretty boy , because when he get knocked unconscious, he never fell on his face . And no matter how many fights he d get into , you never saw a bruse on his face lol😮but I love the show , every Sunday night at 6 pm

[@felinefanII]

R.I.P.

[@johncarrasquillo4405]

good man.

[@lastrada52]

Star Trek underwater is what this series was. Production values were pretty good for the era. Richard Basehart. What a great catch for a TV show. He was in a Fellini film -- La Strada when he was young and mixed it up with a brute in Anthony Quinn.

[@plasticweapon]

i was dismayed to learn that he thought the fly was "shit". was he kidding? it was the best thing he ever did, hands down!

[@konikurozaki5715]

hermosa serie que imaginación,,,saludos

[@purplesword5536]

Great series..the seaview was boss...

[@AndrewWilliams-zc1hf]

A great series. I wish they would repeat it on the horror channel as they've repeated lost in space & land of the giants, 2 other great Irwin Allen classics from the 60s.

[@taroman7100]

They stick Voyage into the wee hours on MEtv. It should be first!

[@almiroliveira6162]

Passei minha infância vendo viagem ao fundo do mar capitão Hadyson saudades de um tempo maravilhoso

[@GoGreen1977]

I was about 10 when this series started. I had a crush on David Hedison and probably is why I've always preferred tall, clean cut, square-jawed men with dark hair.

[@GoGreen1977]

We must be twins! At least in our preferences in men.

[@alanhumphrey4198]

That's a rare breed these days. There are so few men like me!!

[@sandtown9499]

David Hedison was a great actor on the Irwin Allen Series. Eric Herns Marietta, Georgia.

[@McIntyreBible]

This was the first time I ever knew what Irwin Allen (0:16) looked like!

[@shaynestephens]

Narrated by June Lockhart, Dr. Maureen Robinson from the original series "Lost In Space", also an Irwin Allen production.

[@herisusanto5868]

Good Job Capt. Crane..

[@donaldmcauliffe7653]

I am 61 years old in middle school voyage to bottom of the sea was my favorite the first season was in black and white they had back up plan to cut the episodes into movies if show did not get picked up for more episodes in fact they did that in drive ins for first season two episodes uncut with a movie that was playing during the summer time before the second season was pick up and continue until the second season was on the air on a b c

[@adriansherlockdamondark.1094]

A million sparks shoot out of the controls. "Check for damage."

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

Pretty funny😂

[@scrmepal]

Going way back to the beginning..........the first season of Voyage was made in B&W, and transmitted that way, but the pilot episode was actually made in colour in 1963.

[@romcallis]

He was in two Bond films and also worked with Roger Moore in The Saint

[@NHseacoast]

Yes, Roger Moore and David Hedison were good friends.

[@jmen4ever257]

A few mistakes that Irwin Allen made with his sci fi shows, was not bumping them further into the future ,and not placing them all inside the same decade. That way, a big crossover could have been done .A good writer still could do it, but it would have to be done in comics, or animation. since most of the actors have passed on,

[@Anth230]

No. Leave well enough alone now. The shows are fun but they all got extremely silly. Especially Lost in Space. I love the show but it eventually turns into a comedy. Voyage gets silly as well but it probably the best out of the Four Allen Shows....

[@timscroggins2345]

We had a blast

[@eugenedegeorge5084]

One of my favorite shows from the 60s .and was that June Lockhart doing the narration? And don't forget his most famous line :he was the fly "help me help me".

[@TelevisionVanguard]

Yes, that was June Lockhart doing narration. = staff

[@hankmessaros1835]

I guess that's it, the cast is all gone now. In reruns the show brought me to seas unknown

[@TentoesMe]

I still remember the sound! boo BEE boo boo boop.

[@user-ht1xu4gv2u]

Fire in the circutry rooooom😊😊

[@Mishima505]

Anyone felt inspired to join the Navy after watching this series?

[@rf-bh3fh]

Precursor to Star Trek. Even the shaking. Just underwater instead of outer space. Allen vs Roddenberry.

[@alanhumphrey4198]

I've always thought those shows had a similar feel as well...

[@WoodlandPoetry]

If Irwin Allen had wanted that show to be grim and serious, he should have skipped those recycled monsters. Still, I loved that show!