Peter Hansen, Longtime Actor on ‘General Hospital,’ Dies at 95
He played Lee Baldwin on the venerable ABC soap after starring in such films as 'When Worlds Collide' and 'The Savage.'
He was not on the list.
Peter Hansen, who appeared as the steady Lee Baldwin on the ABC soap opera General Hospital in parts of five decades, died Sunday in Santa Clarita, Calif., his family reported. He was 95.
Hansen was seen on the weekday serial from 1965 until 2004 and earned a supporting actor Daytime Emmy Award in 1979. His character started out as an addiction counselor at the hospital and went on to serve as mayor of Port Charles (he lost to Anthony Geary’s Luke Spencer in one heated election but eventually took over the post). Later, Lee returned to GH to serve on its board of directors.
A contract player at Paramount Pictures, Hansen played a scientist opposite Barbara Rush in the George Pal-produced When Worlds Collide (1951) and was a cavalry man in the 1952 Western The Savage, starring Charlton Heston.
Hansen had regular roles on such series as The Adventures of Jim Bowie, Gomer Pyle: USMC and How the West Was Won and appeared on The Loretta Young Show, The Lone Ranger, Science Fiction Theatre, Sea Hunt, Perry Mason and many other programs.
On a 1988 episode of Cheers, Hansen portrayed the chairman of the corporation that owns the bar, and he was the doctor boyfriend of Dorothy (Bea Arthur) who flirted with Blanche (Rue McClanahan), causing all sorts of trouble, on a 1985 installment of The Golden Girls.
Born on Dec. 5, 1921, in Oakland, Calif., Hansen was raised in Detroit, attended the University of Michigan and served with the U.S. Marine Corps, flying combat missions in the South Pacific.
After making his way to Hollywood and acting at the famed Pasadena Playhouse, he appeared with Alan Ladd in Branded (1950).
Hansen also served as spokesman for Plymouth automobiles on variety shows hosted by Lawrence Welk, Steve Allen and Garry Moore and was a news anchor at KCOP-TV in Los Angeles in 1961.
His wife of 50 years, Betty, died in 1993. He then shared 24 years as a companion to Barbara Wenzel.
Survivors also include his son Peter, daughter Gretchen and grandchildren Allison, Erik and Jamal.
Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1950 Branded Tonio
Western film directed by Rudolph Maté
Adapted from the novel Montana Rides by Max Brand under pen name Evan Evans
The Goldbergs Ted Gordon
1951 The Last Outpost Lt. Crosby1 Western film directed by Lewis R. Foster
Passage West Michael Karns Western film directed by Lewis R. Foster
Darling, How Could You! Dr. Steve Clark
Comedy film directed by Mitchell Leisen
Based on James Barrie's play Alice Sit-by-the-Fire
When Worlds Collide Dr. Tony Drake
Science fiction film directed by Rudolph Maté
Based on the 1932 science fiction novel of the same name, co-written by Philip Wylie and Edwin Balmer
1952 The Greatest Show on Earth Spectator2 Uncredited, Drama film directed and produced by Cecil B. DeMille
Something to Live For Stage Cast Member2 Uncredited, Drama film directed and produced by George Stevens
The Savage Lt. Weston Hathersall
Western film directed by George Marshall
Based on L. L. Foreman's novel, The Renegade, first published in 1949 by Pocket Books.
1954 Prisoner of War Capt. Fred Osborne Uncredited, War–drama film directed by Andrew Marton
Brigadoon New York Club Patron
Uncredited, Musical feature film made in CinemaScope & Ansco Color and directed by Vincente Minnelli
Based on the Broadway musical of the same name by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe
Drum Beat Lt. Goodsall CinemaScope western film in Warner Color written & directed by Delmer Daves and co-produced by Daves and Alan Ladd
1955 The Violent Men George Menefee
Uncredited, CinemaScope western drama film directed by Rudolph Maté
Based on the novel Smoky Valley by Donald Hamilton first published in 1954
A Bullet for Joey Fred Film noir directed by Lewis Allen
Top of the World Capt. Cochrane Adventure film directed by Lewis R. Foster and written by John D. Klorer and N. Richard Nash
The King's Thief Isaac Newton Uncredited
1956 Hell on Frisco Bay Detective Connors Film noir–crime film directed by Frank Turtle
Diane 2nd Court Physician Uncredited
The Proud and Profane Lieutenant (jg) Hutchins
Dramatic war romance directed and written by George Seaton
Based on the 1953 novel The Magnificent Bastards by Lucy Herndon Crockett
A Cry in the Night Dr. Frazee
Film noir, dramatic, thriller film directed by Frank Tuttle
Based on the 1955 novel by Whit Masterson titled All Through the Night.
The Ten Commandments Young aide
Uncredited, Biblical epic film produced, directed, and narrated by Cecil B. DeMille and shot in VistaVision (color by Technicolor)
Based on Prince of Egypt by Dorothy Clarke Wilson, Pillar of Fire by J.H. Ingraham, On Eagle's Wings by A.E. Southon, and the Book of Exodus
Three Violent People Lt. Marr Western film directed by Rudolph Maté
1957 5 Steps to Danger Karl Plesser
Crime film directed, produced, and co–written by Henry S. Kesler
Based on the novel The Steel Mirror by Donald Hamilton
1958 The Deep Six Lieutenant Dooley
World War II drama film directed by Rudolph Maté
Loosely based on a novel of the same name by Martin Dibner
1961 Pocketful of Miracles Governor's Aide Uncredited
1964 Apache Rifles Capt. Green
1965 Harlow Hansen - Assistant Director
1983 The Man Who Wasn't There Police Lieutenant
1985 Junior Electrician
1989 The War of the Roses Mr. Marshall
2002 Dragonfly Phillip Darrow
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 Sawtelle 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 Phillips Episode: "Death Goes to Press" (S 4:Ep 43)
Stage 7 Capt. Chuck Boske Episode: "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 Stark Episode: "Signals from the Heart" (S 2:Ep 1)
Dr. Henry Maxton 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)
The Adventures of Jim Bowie Rezin Bowie (17 episodes)
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 Barry 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)
The Restless Gun Quint Episode "A Pressing Engagement"
1965 General Hospital Lee Baldwin
Contract role: 1965–1976; 1977–1986
Recurring role: 1990; 1992–2004, (final appearance)
1958 Perry Mason "The Case of the Half-Wakened Wife" S1 Ep26 Howard Black
Contract role: 1958
1997-2000 Port Charles Lee Baldwin Recurring role
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