Don Harron

Don Harron introduced the character of Charlie Farquharson at the Spring Thaw in 1952. He once told Global Television that Charlie was based on a character and accent he played in The Inheritance for the New Play Society. A tremendously talented actor and writer Don Harron made his debut at the age of ten. His voice was first heard on CBC radio in 1936. He has also worked in television since its inception and was part of the Stratford Festival in its very early days. He was also an extremely talented writer. When CBC launched the Sunshine Sketches in 1952, based on the Stephen Leacock book, Don Harron was one of the writers brought in to take the original book, and its limited material, and turn it into an ongoing series. He also wrote the book and lyrics for the long-running and highly successful play, Anne of Green Gables – The Musical, which had its initial season at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown in 1965. In 2000, his contribution to the Canadian entertaiment industry was recognized when he was named a member of the Order of Ontario. In addition to his work in radio and television, he made a number of albums, and wrote several best-selling books. He (and Charlie) lasted a remarkable 18 seasons on Hee Haw. Harron officially announced in May of 2011 that he was retiring. He was 90 when he died at his Toronto home after choosing not to seek treatment for cancer.

Also see Mary Harron