Of Swedish descent, burly, light-haired character actor Karl Swenson was born in Brooklyn and started his four-decade career on radio. Throughout the late 30s and 40s, his voice could be heard all over the airwaves, appearing in scores of daytime serials . Cast in the recurring role of lumber mill owner Lars Hanson, he remained with the show until his death in 1978 of a heart attack. His character on the show also died.
He suffered a heart attack while visiting relatives in Canaan, CT; and was pronounced dead on arrival at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, CT.
He had four sons with his first wife, Virginia.