ABOUT KARL SWENSON
Perhaps most well known for his portrayal of Lars Hanson on the popular TV series Little House on the Prairie, he is also remembered for his recurring roles on Lassie, Gunsmoke, The Virginian, and Bonanza.
Before beginning his career as a screen actor, he appeared in a Broadway production of The Man Who Had All the Luck and participated in such radio dramas as The March of Time and Lorenzo Jones.
He died suddenly not long after appearing in a Little House on the Prairie episode in which his character also passed away.
He grew up in New York City as the child of Swedish-born parents. His first marriage -- to Virginia Hanscom Swenson -- resulted in four children; his marriage to actress Joan Tompkins produced no children and lasted until his death in 1978.
He appeared with Joseph Cotten in the 1967 movie Brighty of the Grand Canyon.
