Biography for
Al Hodge More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

18 April 1912, Ravenna, Ohio, USA

Date of Death

19 March 1979, New York City, New York, USA (heart failure)

Birth Name

Albert Hodge

Nickname

Abie

Height

6' 2" (1.88 m)

Mini Biography

Hodge starred on radio as "The Green Hornet" in the 1940s. In the 1950s he was popular to TV fans as Captain Video. By the time of his death however, he had become an alcoholic and was living on $63 a week social security checks. He died alone and forgotten.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Anonymous

Mini Biography

Al Hodge was born in Ravenna, Ohio in the shadow of heroes, not knowing that he would one day become the most legendary hero in the annals of early television broadcasting. His father walked with heroes, and was a renowned Wild West rider, having been a member of Buffalo Bill's troupe. Al majored in drama at the University of Miami in Oxford, Ohio, where he was a track star. He worked in summer stock, touring the country with the Casford Players, and worked on radio stations in New England, UK and Detroit. At WXYZ in Detroit he was a one-man radio station - writing scripts, announcing, and doing production work. He was the original Green Hornet on radio before World War II, and returned to the program after he had served as a lieutenant in the Navy. During the late 1940s he was often heard playing parts on 'Mr. District Attorney', 'Gangbusters', 'Mr. Keene, Tracer of Lost Persons', and almost every soap opera broadcast from New York.

In 1951 Al, a muscular 6' 2" tall, got the part of Captain Video, and from that time would forever remain the popular hero of space and time. Al took the part and responsibilities seriously, and would often spend his weekends touring the country aiding such causes as Muscular Dystrophy, Kiwanis, orphanages, and various patriotic and religious organizations. He continued to teach Sunday School in Manhasset, Long Island. It is estimated that in 1952 and 1953 he traveled over 50,000 miles to appear before two and a half million persons in cities, towns and hamlets throughout the country.

After Captain Video left the air, Al had some trouble obtaining new television roles, but did do some spots as a dentist in a commercial for toothpaste. He spent a short period of time in California where he played roles in such television series as 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', 'Tightrope', 'M Squad', 'COronado 9' and 'Hawaiian Eye'. He played a detective in a 'Mannix' show that would have been a continuing role, except that he decided he had had enough of California and returned to New York and austerity.

In his closing column for STARLOG #23, editor Howard Zimmerman said it all when he closed: 'Al Hodge was the idol of an age and spurred many to pursue careers in a variety of futuristic fields, from science-fiction publishing to astrophysics and astronautics. We remember the Captain with warm smiles and gratitude ... we do not mourn his passing but rather celebrate his legacy.'

Thank you, Captain ... and Spaceman's luck!"

IMDb Mini Biography By: Joe Sarno; April 1, 1979

Spouse

Doris ?	(1948 - 1961) (divorced) 2 children
Elizabeth ?	(30 October 1936 - 1946) (divorced) 1 child
Virginia Jane Hodge	(? - ?) (separated)

Trivia

During the early 1950s, Al Hodge testified at a Senate hearing which was looking into television violence, a concern even then. He explaied to those present that "Captain Video and His Video Rangers" did not script violent actions, deaths, or even hand-to-hand combat as a matter of course, and that weapons used on the series were shown to cause only reversible paralysis rather than overt injuries or death. The Senate sessions are notable because the legislators present continually addressed Al Hodge as "Captain", an indication of how closely his persona had become identified with the character.

Al Hodge's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Al E. Hodge, owned a dry-cleaning business. Al graduated from Ravenna High School in 1930 and then studied drama at Miami University of Ohio. His first professional work was at WXYZ radio (Detroit. Michigan USA), acting in "Gang Busters", "Front Page Farrell" and "Mr. District Attorney", before reaching national fame as the lead in "The Green Hornet".

During his "Captain Video" years, he taught Sunday School classes at his Congregational church in Manhasset, Long Island, New York.

After serving as Lieutenant J.G. in the Navy, Al took ill with pleurisy, and was bedridden for a year. Recovering, he left for New York and found widespread work, appearing on most daytime radio/television serials and nighttime dramas: "Mr. Keene", "Gangbusters", "Front Page Farrell", "Mr. District Attorney",and many more. Al then was asked to become 'Captain Video' to replace Richard Coogan, who wished to resume stage work.

Al was very active in community service, working with the Boy Scouts, North Shore Community Hospital, and the Manhasset (NY) Congregational Church, where he was Superintendent of Sunday School. In addition, he appeared at countless fundraisers for charity.

At WXYZ Al was suddenly called in to replace a laryngitis-afflicted announcer for a Michigan football game. Unfamiliar with the procedure, he bought every sports magazine he could find, and five hours later took to the air, continuing to announce all Michigan games for a year thereafter.

He joined Muzak Corporation in Cleveland, Ohio; when his boss left for WXYZ in Detroit, Al joined him there, writing scripts, producing, announcing, and programming seven days a week. A few months later, Al won the lead role over dozens of others for WXYZ's new 'Green Hornet' series.

He began his career with the Casford Players, a stock company of 4 that played one-nighters through New England and the South.

Al was a track star at the University of Miami, where he majored in drama.

Three children: daughter Diane (by his first wife) and stepdaughter Lois and stepson John (by his second wife).

In 1959, four years after the 'Captain Video' series had ended, Al Hodge appeared as Captain Video at the Macy's Department Store in New York, drawing the largest crowd in the store's history.

The life and struggle of Al Hodge was the inspiration for the episode "The Grey Ghost" of the TV show "Batman: The Animated Series". The character modeled after Hodge was named "Simon Trent", a forgotten actor who played a television character named "The Grey Ghost", a childhood hero of Batman.

Al's high school activities included Track 1-2-3-4, Glee Club 1-2-3-4, Glee Club Operettas 1-2, Junior Play, Debate 3, Cheerleader 2-3-4, Double Quartet 3-4, News Staff 3, and Band 4.

Portrayed Britt Reid/The Green Hornet on Mutual and ABC Radio's "The Green Hornet" (1936-1943).

An expert chef, his hobbies included 35mm photography and leathercrafting. He was Assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 292 in Manhasset, Long Island, New York.

Some of his very early Captain Video autographed portraits are signed "Hal Hodge".

August, 1953: Two pets, a dachshund ("Kuchen") and a cat ("Muffin").

Al was listed in a 1971 Richard Lamparski "Whatever Happened To ..." book as being "an executive at Olsten's Temporary Personnel, Incorporated in Manhattan".

In July, 1956 Al was elected to the national board of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) on the 'Coalition' ticket, which included 'Jackson Beck' , Alan Bunce Bud Collyer, Conrad Nagel Cliff Norton, Virginia Payne (radio's Luis Van Rooten, Nelson Case, Dick Stark, Beatrice Kraft and Ray Heatherton.

Personal Quotes

"Everyone worked with everyone else. No one did just one thing. I've never seen such teamwork before or since in this business." -Al Hodge, 1975, commenting on "Captain Video and His Video Rangers" (1949)

"It's a terrible thing. I can get in to see TV producers who were once unavailable to me, but they all tell me the same old story. When I go after dramatic parts, they say my Captain Video identification would destroy character illusion. Libraries, men's stores, real estate, clerical work - I have done it all since the Captain Video days. Unfortunately, there has been no show-business work." -in a 1958 Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal interview.

Fans expect me to be extremely conversant in every new technical marvel of the years to come. It's not unusual for a youngster to approach me after a program to question me about remote carrier patterns, designs for flying saucer rings, radioactivity, time elementation, and other terribly complicated mechanisms.

"Sometimes it's frightening, the responsible position I'm in, but I try to do a good job - and naturally I'm very happy about it all." - from an August 1953 interview when asked how it felt having young fans looking up to him.

In an interview discussing his Sunday-school teaching at the First Congregational Church in Manhasset, Long Island, New York: "Every week, without fail, I see several new faces in class. At the end of each session, I notice that the newcomers have been taken aside and, in hushed whispers, learn that I am Captain Video himself. The identification does have a very good aspect. At least three times a week on 'Captain Video', we deliver short messages to our youthful listeners. We stress the Golden Rule, tolerance, honesty, and personal integrity. I'm thankful for the opportunity of being associated with the show that helps, in a small measure, to illuminate for the young people of America the importance of courage, character, and the sense of moral values."

All I am is an echo. (to his wife)

Salary

"Captain Video and His Video Rangers" (1949)

$60.00 per week

Where Are They Now

(1979) Interred with his third wife Virginia Jane Hodge (1923-1991) at Actors Fund Lot 445, Valhalla, Kensico Cemetery, Westchester County, New York, USA.

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