Peter Hansen (1921 - 2017)

Peter Hansen (actor) Peter Hansen (actor) Born Peter Franklin Hansen December 5, 1921 Oakland, California, U.S. Died April 9, 2017 (aged 95) Tarzana, California, U.S. Alma mater University of Michigan Occupation Actor Years active 1934–2004 Spouse(s) Florence Elizabeth Moe (m. 1943; her death 1993) Children 2 Peter Franklin Hansen (December 5, 1921 – April 9, 2017) was an American actor, best known for his role as a lawyer Lee Baldwin, on the soap opera General Hospital, playing the role from 1965 to 1976, 1977 to 1986, briefly in 1990, and again from 1992 to 2004. In 1989, he appeared in the movie The War of the Roses with Danny DeVito, Kathleen Turner, and Michael Douglas. Early life Hansen was born on December 5, 1921 in Oakland, California. His family moved to Detroit, Michigan. Career Hansen has appeared in more than 100 films, television series and made-for-television movies. His early acting roles was at the famed Pasadena Playhouse. Hansen was a guest star on Reed Hadley's CBS crime drama, The Public Defender, and the television adaptation of Gertrude Berg's comedy The Goldbergs. In addition to his work on General Hospital, he notably co-starred in 1963 on the NBC soap opera Ben Jerrod. He also appeared on The Golden Girls in 1985 (Season 1, Episode 5) as Dr. Elliott Clayton, a casanova who makes a pass at Blanche while dating Dorothy. In 1988, he starred in an episode of Cheers ("And God Created Woodman"; Season 6, Episode 14), as Daniel T. Collier, the CEO and Chairman of the Board of Lillian, the company which owns Cheers. Other notable appearances include work on Broken Arrow, Richard Diamond, Private Detective, Maverick, Sea Hunt, Petticoat Junction, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., How The West Was Won, The Adventures of Jim Bowie, Magnum, P.I., L.A. Law, Night Court, and Growing Pains. Hansen had a major role in the 1950 Western film Branded with Alan Ladd, the 1951 science fiction film When Worlds Collide, and the 1952 Western film The Savage with Charlton Heston.[6] In the 1960s, He made commercials for Chrysler products, mostly Plymouths, on shows hosted by Lawrence Welk, Steve Allen, and Garry Moore. In 1961, Hansen was a news anchor at the Los Angeles based TV station KCOP-TV. In 1997, Hansen began playing the character on the sister show Port Charles. The early years of Port Charles saw the Baldwins as the core family, focusing on Lee's son, Scotty, and granddaughter, Karen. After their storyline took them back to "GH", Peter made occasional appearances on both shows, last appearing in 2004. Although he retired from acting afterwards, he did appear at the off-screen 50th Anniversary party in 2013 along with former on-screen wife Susan Brown. Personal life and death Hansen met his future wife, Florence Elizabeth (née Moe), while in high school and married her in 1943. Together, they had two children, Peter and Gretchen, had three grandchildren: Allison, Erik and Jamal. Betty died in 1993. He then shared 24 years as companion to Barbara Wenzel. Hansen resided in Tarzana, California, with his family, and he enjoyed flying, owning his own Cessna for decades, spent many vacations in the Sierra Nevada high country. He led a devoted spiritual life at St. Nicholas of Myra Episcopal Church, in Encino, California. Hansen died on April 9, 2017, at his home in Tarzana, California at the age of 95. He was cremated via Peaceful Reflections Cremation Care in Santa Clarita, and his ashes were returned to the family. Awards Hansen won a Daytime Emmy Award for his portrayal of Lee Baldwin on General Hospital in 1979 in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Television Year Title Role Notes Ref. 1950 The Goldbergs Ted Gordon 1954 Schlitz Playhouse Guest Episode: "At the Natchez Inn" (S 3:Ep 21)1 Cavalcade of America Guest Episode: "Duel at the O.K. Corral" (S 2:Ep 20) The Public Defender Guest Episode: "Escape" (S 1:Ep 20) The Lone Wolf Jackson Smith Episode: "The Planetarium Story" (S 1:Ep 36) Schlitz Playhouse Claudius Fabian Episode: "The Roman and the Renegade" (S 3:Ep 49) The Loretta Young Show Jim Roberts Episode: "The Lamp" (S 2:Ep 4) Your Favorite Story Guest Episode: "The Unknown" (S 3:Ep 1) Lady in the Wings Edward MacDowell Made-for-TV-Movie Part of the Hallmark Hall of Fame Series Space Patrol Doctor Paul Yates Episode: "Danger: Radiation" (S 4:Ep 37) The Lone Ranger Marshal Jim Episode: "Homer with a High Hat" (S 4:Ep 15) 1955 Bill Taylor Episode: "The Law Lady" (S 4:EP 25) Peter Sawtelle1 Episode: "Sawtelle Saga's End" (S 4:Ep 29) The Public Defender Guest Episode: "The Man Who Couldn't Remember" (S 2:Ep 18) The Lone Ranger Jack Morrison Episode: "Sheriff's Sale (S 4:Ep 21) Lux Video Theatre Philip Adams Episode: "The Two Dollar Bettor" (S 6:Ep 3) The Lone Ranger Smiley Phillips1 Episode: "Death Goes to Press" (S 4:Ep 43) Stage 7 Capt. Chuck Boske3 Epispde: "Armed" (S 1:Ep 14) The Public Defender Simms1 Episode: "The Sapphire Mink" (S 2:Ep 32) Science Fiction Theatre Dr. Dan Scott1 Episode: "Beyond Return" (S 1:Ep 32) 1956 Climax! Lawyer Episode: "Faceless Adversary" (S 2:Ep 33) Science Fiction Theatre Dr. Warren Stark1 Episode: "Signals from the Heart" (S 2:Ep 1) Dr. Henry Maxton1 Episode: "The Unguided Missile" (S 2:Ep 8) Telephone Time William Smith Episode: "Grandpa Changes the World" (S 1:Ep 16) Science Fiction Theatre Prof. Norman Hughes1 Episode: "The Throwback" (S 2:Ep 19) Broken Arrow Capt. Dennis Farrell Episode: "Medicine Men" (S 1:Ep 6) Science Fiction Theatre Dr. Edgar Barnes1 Episode: "Doctor Robot" (S 2:Ep 30) Broken Arrow Capt. Dennis Farrell Episode: "Rebellion" (S 1:Ep 22) 1957 Dr. Christian Rufus Corning Episode: "Revenge" (S 1:Ep 16) Science Fiction Theatre Dr. Jim Wallaby1 Episode: "The Strange Lodger" (S 2:Ep 39) Zane Grey Theater Holton Episode: "Village of Fear" (S 1:Ep 210 The Gray Ghost Manning Episode: "Renegade Rangers" (S 1:Ep 28) Navy Log Guest Episode: "The Lady and the Atom" (S 2:Ep 23) Dr. Christian Walters Episode: "The Alien" (S 1: Ep 25) Navy Log Barry1 Episode: "The Marines Have Landed" (S 2:Ep 35) Broken Arrow Capt. Dennis Farrell Episode: "White Man's Magic" (S 2:Epp 1) 1958 Flight Kovacs Episode: "Flight Surgeon" (S 1:Ep 4) 1965 General Hospital Lee Baldwin Contract role: 1965–1976; 1977–1986 Recurring role: 1990; 1992–2004 1968 Perry Mason "The Case of The Half Wakened Wife" S1 Ep26 Howard Black Contract role: 1968 1997-2000 Port Charles Lee Baldwin Recurring role Oakland, California, U.S. Died April 9, 2017 (aged 95) Tarzana, California, U.S. Alma mater University of Michigan Occupation Actor Years active 1934–2004 Spouse(s) Florence Elizabeth Moe (m. 1943; her death 1993) Children 2