Table of Biography
Don Lane is a late American-born Australian talk show host, singer, and television personality. Don Lane is best known for hosting his own talk and variety shows in Australia.
Early Life
Don Lane was born on the 13th of November 1933, in New York City, New York, the United States of America. At the age of 75 years old, he passed away and held Australian nationality. His full name is Morton Donald Isaacson and he has a birth sign of Scorpio. Meanwhile, he belongs to the Jewish ethnicity and has his belief in the Jewish religion.
He was born to his parents Jacob Isaacson and Harriet Grossman Isaacson. His father Jacob was a mechanical engineer, while his mother Harriet was a homemaker. Don was the youngest of three children, with an older brother named Mort and an older sister named Sheila.
Talking about his academic qualifications, Don completed his high school education at Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, New York. Later, he attended the University of New York and later transferred to Columbia University, where he studied drama and radio. However, he did not complete his studies and dropped out of college to pursue a career in show business.
Death
Lane passed away on October 22, 2009, at the age of 75. He had been battling Parkinson’s disease and dementia for several years before his death. His health issues had forced him to retire from his career in entertainment, and he spent his final years in a nursing home in Sydney, Australia
Professional Career
Television career
Don started his career in the entertainment industry as a nightclub singer and comedian. He moved to Australia in 1965 to pursue his career, where he quickly gained popularity as a television host, first on a music program called “The Don Lane Show” and later on his variety talk show, “The Don Lane Show,” which ran for over a decade.
Apart from his show, he hosted the Australian version of the popular game show “The Price is Right” from 1981 to 1986. He has also hosted Australia’s premier television awards show such as “The Logie Awards” several times throughout his career.
Caption: Don talk show, The Don Show (Source: Walmart.com)
Lane was known for his charismatic personality, quick wit, and ability to connect with his audience. He interviewed a wide range of celebrities and politicians, including Muhammad Ali, Frank Sinatra, and Margaret Thatcher. He also had a successful singing career in Australia, releasing several albums and performing in concert tours. In addition to his television and music career, he also appeared in several films and stage productions, including the Australian production of the musical “Chicago.”
Sportscasting career
He also worked as a sportscaster in addition to his success in entertainment. In the 1960s, he covered the National Football League (NFL) for CBS Sports in the United States. After moving to Australia in 1965, he continued to cover sports on television, including hosting the Australian version of the popular sports quiz show “It’s Academic” and serving as a commentator for American football and other sports.
In 1980, he became a key member of Channel Nine’s Wide World of Sports broadcasting team in Australia. He covered a wide range of sports events, including the Summer and Winter Olympics, the Australian Open tennis tournament, and Australian Rules Football.
Radio career
Lane also had a successful radio career. He began his radio career in the United States in the 1950s, working as a disc jockey and radio personality in New York City. After moving to Australia in 1965, he continued to work in radio, hosting several popular programs.
One of his most notable radio programs was “The Don Lane Breakfast Show,” which aired on Sydney radio station 2UE from 1988 to 1990. The show featured Lane’s unique brand of humor and music and was a favorite among listeners. Lane was also a regular guest on other radio programs and frequently appeared as a guest on talkback shows and news programs.
Awards
Lane has earned several awards and recognitions through his profession. He won the Gold Logie for most popular personality on Australian television in 1983. He received the Variety Club Heart Award in recognition of his charitable work and contributions to the community.
In 1988, he was awarded the Order of Australia for his services to entertainment. He was inducted into the Australian Entertainment Walk of Fame in the year 2006. Moreover, he was named a Living Legend by the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2008. In 2009, he was posthumously awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Logie Awards.
Net Worth 2023
The exact net worth of Lane is not publicly known as he passed away in 2009. However, it is known that he was a successful entertainer and talk show host who had a long and distinguished career in the Australian entertainment industry. He might have accumulated a significant amount of wealth throughout his career.
Relationship Status
Caption: Don with his ex-wife and their son (Source: Daily Telegraph)
Don Lane was married twice during his lifetime. His first marriage was to American singer and actress, Michele Lee, in 1964. The couple had one child together, a son named David before they divorced in 1974. His second marriage was to Tracey Harvey, a former model and flight attendant, in 1982. They remained married until Don Lane died in 2009. Tracey was with Don until the end of his life, and she was a supportive partner during his battle with dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
Body Measurement
This television personality stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and his weight is average. Moreover, he has a light green pair of eyes with black hair colour while his other body measurement is still unknown.
Social Media
Lane’s career was primarily during a time before the rise of social media, so he did not have a significant social media presence. However, there are a few fan pages and tribute accounts on platforms like Twitter and Instagram dedicated to honoring his legacy and sharing memories of his career.