Actor. Rugged, popular star of B westerns. Born Harold Leonard Albershart (some sources list his birth year as 1904), he was a varsity athlete at Notre Dame but found the university's theatre program more congenial. Lane arrived in Hollywood in 1929, and after playing supporting roles in straight dramas he made his first western, "The Law West of Tombstone", for RKO in 1938. In 1940 he signed with Republic Pictures and remained at that studio for a dozen years, replacing Wild Bill Elliot in the "Red Ryder" series (1946 to 1947), then starring in a string of fast-paced five-reelers with his horse, Black Jack. In person Lane was not well-liked by his colleagues, many of whom described him as humorless, egotistical, and an incorrigible scene-stealer. Others claimed he was merely a perfectionist who also performed charitable services without seeking publicity. By the early 1960s he had difficulty finding employment and ended up providing the voice of the talking horse "Mr. Ed" on the hit TV series, which ran from 1961 to 1966. Considering the job a comedown from his previous work, Lane refused billing on the show. Much to his chagrin, it became his most famous role. He died six weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.
Actor. Rugged, popular star of B westerns. Born Harold Leonard Albershart (some sources list his birth year as 1904), he was a varsity athlete at Notre Dame but found the university's theatre program more congenial. Lane arrived in Hollywood in 1929, and after playing supporting roles in straight dramas he made his first western, "The Law West of Tombstone", for RKO in 1938. In 1940 he signed with Republic Pictures and remained at that studio for a dozen years, replacing Wild Bill Elliot in the "Red Ryder" series (1946 to 1947), then starring in a string of fast-paced five-reelers with his horse, Black Jack. In person Lane was not well-liked by his colleagues, many of whom described him as humorless, egotistical, and an incorrigible scene-stealer. Others claimed he was merely a perfectionist who also performed charitable services without seeking publicity. By the early 1960s he had difficulty finding employment and ended up providing the voice of the talking horse "Mr. Ed" on the hit TV series, which ran from 1961 to 1966. Considering the job a comedown from his previous work, Lane refused billing on the show. Much to his chagrin, it became his most famous role. He died six weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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Harry L. Albershart
Allan "Rocky" Lane
1909 — 1973
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