Larry Thor: Movies & Filmography

Larry Thor, born Arnleifur Lawrence Thorsteinson on August 27, 1916, in Lundar, Manitoba, Canada, established himself as a multifaceted talent in broadcasting, entertainment, and academia. Before achieving fame in radio and film, Thor pursued a diverse array of occupations including soldier, construction worker, farmer, and rancher, experiences that would later inform his authoritative on-air presence. His broadcasting career commenced in 1937 at CFAR in Flin Flon, Manitoba, where he initially worked as an unpaid singer before transitioning to a writer position for three years. He subsequently refined his craft as an announcer at CKGB in Timmins and as a newscaster at CKCL in Toronto, developing the rich, resonant vocal tones that would become his trademark. In 1946, Thor relocated to the United States, joining KFAC in Los Angeles, followed by significant tenures at KMPC and KNX in Hollywood as both newscaster and writer, cementing his reputation as one of the medium's most distinctive voices. Beyond his news work, Thor made substantial contributions to radio drama, founding Peak Radio Ltd. in Canada and serving as announcer for notable programs such as Green Lama, Rocky Jordan, and Suspense, while achieving particular renown starring as Detective Danny Clover in Broadway Is My Beat. His creative output extended to recording the 1964 children's album Galloping on My Dinosaur for Harmony Records, composing both music and lyrics, and authoring scripts for television series including Suspense and Hallmark Hall of Fame, alongside four published books. Thor's acting career encompassed 29 feature films and numerous television appearances in iconic series such as Perry Mason, The Andy Griffith Show, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Munsters, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E., while simultaneously serving as the radio announcer for Gilligan's Island from 1964 to 1967. From January 1968 until his death in 1976, he served as a professor in the screenwriting program at UCLA, where he distinguished his courses by bringing in professional actors, producers, and writers as guest lecturers, leaving a lasting educational legacy alongside his entertainment career.