SYDNEY (AP) — Don Lane, an American song-and-dance man who became an enduring television celebrity in Australia known as "The Lanky Yank," died Thursday. He was 75.
Lane was one of the best-known figures on Australian television for almost two decades until in 1983 he retired the "Tonight Show"-style program that bore his name. He had kept increasingly out of the public eye in recent years.
Lane's manager Jayne Ambrose said the entertainer died in a hospice in Sydney on Thursday morning from a dementia-related illness.
Lane was born in New York as Morton Donald Isaacson. He was an aspiring night club entertainer in the United States — his biggest claim to fame was an appearance on the Ed Sullivan show — when he first came to Australia in the 1960s and was hired as stand-in host for the Nine Network's "Tonight Show."
He was handed a full-time gig in 1975 and "The Don Lane Show" became a ratings winner, a mixture of cabaret acts, interviews, comedy skits and a song from the tall host to close each show.
Lane stood out as an American appearing on Australian television, which at the time was dominated by British-centric programming. His self-effacing humor and his show's ability to draw A-list celebrities when they visited, endeared him to Australian audiences.
In between seasons, Lane would return to the United States and perform as club singer in Las Vegas.
Lane's career surged again in the 1990s when he became the host of a weekly broadcast of NFL games, offering enthusiastic explanations of plays and rules to an Australian audience steeped in cricket and rugby.
Lane won more than 15 Logie Awards — Australia's version of the Emmys — and was inducted in the Australian Logies Hall of Fame in 2003.
"Don Lane was a stalwart of the industry and a great mate to so many of us here at Nine," said David Gyngell, chief executive of the network where Lane built his career.
Nine said it will broadcast a best-of tribute show nationally on Thursday. A funeral will he held Friday.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press
My condolences to Don's family.
I worked at TCN9 Sydney in the sixties and often watched the show on Tuesday and Thursday nights. There was always a large studio audience of his adoring fans. Don was a true professional entertainer and a true gentleman. He went well before his time and we'll never see his likes again - so little in variety shows on our screens today.
A...
Caroline Bolton
October 30, 2017 | Westbury.Tasmania.Aust.
Valenda Newell
June 05, 2017 | Indianapolis, IN
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Harry Simpson
October 22, 2015 | Buckeye, AZ
I remember meeting Don and Jayne in 1984 when PJ was born at Tarzana, CA. I still remember to this day, meeting such wonderful and very genuine people. I am deeply saddened to learn of Don's passing.
Ian Woolley
February 18, 2013 | Seattle, WA
Living in Australia in late 70's, early 80's brought so much comfort watching you on t.v, especially being from the u.s.
Thanks for the great memories-
Linda - West Olive, Michigan
November 11, 2009
My Mum and Dad used to watch The Don Lanes show in Australia in the late 70s and we all loved his humor, his wit and most of all, his generosity to the Aussie people. I will always think of you with a smile.
A O
November 09, 2009 | Olympia, WA
My wish is for you to find comfort and hope in the words that Jesus spoke : “I am the resurrection and the life. He that exercises faith in me even though he dies, will come to life.” (John 11: 25, 33, 43.)
D Lindsay
November 07, 2009 | Palmdale, CA
We used to catch Don's show in the mid-60's at the old Dunes night club in Honolulu when our ship was'nt deployed to Vietnam. He would buy us a drink and keep us laughing. We still talk about him at our Navy reunions. Thanks for the laughs and good times Don. Rest in peace you were the best.
The officers and men of the USS Renshaw DD-499
Don McCurry
November 06, 2009 | Stover, MO
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Jon Lowder
November 04, 2009 | Monroe, NC