Highlights of Don Lane's life and career

22 Oct 2009, 7:13 pm   -   Source: AAP
Share This

The life and times of Don Lane:

RELATED

The life and times of Don Lane:

- Born Morton Donald Isaacson on November 13, 1933 in New York.

- Began his career performing comedy and music in nightclubs, alongside showbiz legends like Sammy Davis Junior and Johnny Carson.

- Got his break on Australian television in 1965 when he was recommended for a hosting role on Channel Nine's Tonight Show.

- Within a month Nine took on Lane as permanent host, and his initial six-week contract was extended to the rest of the year.

- After a short sint back in the US, Lane returned to Australia in 1975 to host The Don Lane Show, the highest-rating talk show in Australian history.

- The Don Lane Show ended on 13 November 1983. His final episode ran for two and a half hours and featured such stars as Sammy Davis Jr., Phyllis Diller, David Bowie, and John Farnham.

- After two years living in Los Angeles, Lane returned to Australia in 1987, hosting Network Ten programs like You've Got to Be Joking and Late Night Australia, as well as the the TV Week Logie Awards.

- Lane won 16 Logie Awards throughout his career, including a Gold Logie.

- Inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame in 2003. - Diagnosed with dementia in 2005 and was cared for by his son PJ Lane. - Died of a dementia-related illness on October 22, 2009.

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube