Don Harron

Donald Hugh Harron, actor, writer, broadcaster (born at Toronto 19 Sept 1924). Don Harron attended high school at Vaughan Road Academy in Toronto, served in the Canadian Air Force during World War II and received a BA in 1948 from Victoria College, a federated college of the University of Toronto. While studying there, he performed for CBC Radio and the New Play Society. Don Harron had major roles at the STRATFORD FESTIVAL in the early 1950s and then for more than a dozen years worked on stage, in TV and in films in England, New York and Los Angeles. As the ill-dressed, malapropish farmer from Parry Sound, Charlie Farquharson, and as Toronto matron Valerie Rosedale, he has performed on Canadian radio and American TV, and written such bestselling books as Histry of Canada, Jogfree of Canada and K.O.R.N. Allmynack, offering social and political satire while entertaining. Harron wrote the libretto for Anne of Green Gables, Canada's longest-running stage musical, which has run in continuous summer performances in Charlottetown since 1965. He hosted CBC Radio's "Morningside" (1977-82) and the "Don Harron Show" (1983-85) on CTV and appeared in episodes of Hee Haw between 1969 and 1986 and in Steve SMITH's The Red Green Show in 2003-04.

A warm, intelligent and thoughtful entertainer, Don Harron is notorious for his witty manipulation of language. He published Debunk's Illustrated Guide to the Canadian Establishment in 1984 and Cum Buy the Farm in 1987. In 1991 Farquharson's Unyverse was published, followed by Charlie's A Broad in 1994.

Don Harron's honours have included being named an Officer of the ORDER OF CANADA in 1980, an LLD from Mount Allison University in 1982, and a DLitt from Victoria College, U of T in 1991. He received the ORDER OF ONTARIO in 2000 and was presented with the EARLE GREY AWARD in 2007.

He continues to perform well-received humorous and satiric talks and lectures across North America.

Don Harron is the father of filmmaker Mary Harron (American Psycho, I Shot Andy Warhol). He was for a time married to singer Catherine MCKINNON and was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010.

See also Maclean's Magazine.

Author ALLAN M. GOULD

Links to Other Sites
The History of Canadian Broadcasting
This site is dedicated to the visionary pioneers who created Canada’s broadcasting industry. Features profiles of members of the CAB Hall of Fame and much more. From the Canadian Communications Foundation.

Beyond Green Gables: The Life of Lucy Maud Montgomery
Watch video clips the from the CBC Archives that focus on the life and literary legacy of author Lucy Maud Montgomery. Includes a CBC documentary clip about the creation of "Anne of Green Gables: The Musical" by Don Harron and Norman Campbell.

Getting Away with It for Forty-Four Years
Don Harron, iconic Canadian actor, playwright, and radio host, regales his Empire Club audience with anecdotes about his multifaceted show business career.

The life, loves, and regrets of Don Harron
A revealing article about the private side of a very public person, veteran Canadian entertainer Don Harron. From 50plus.com.