Press & broadcasting / Film & TV
Al Hodge
1912–1979 · radio and television actor
Actor who originated the Green Hornet on Detroit's WXYZ (1936–1943) before becoming television's Captain Video.
- Born
Ravenna, Ohio- Died
New York City, New York
aged 66- Birth name
- Albert E. Hodge
- Detroit years
- 1936–1943
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
An Ohio drama graduate of Miami University, Hodge toured with a stock company before WXYZ in Detroit hired him in the mid-1930s. When the station launched The Green Hornet in January 1936, he originated the role of Britt Reid, the newspaper publisher who fights crime in a mask, and voiced him until January 1943. Like other members of the WXYZ company, he did a bit of everything: he wrote and read daily editorials, announced football games, wrote ad copy, spun records and produced dramas and documentaries, including episodes of The Lone Ranger and Challenge of the Yukon. After Navy service in World War II he moved to New York, and from 1950 to 1955 he starred as Captain Video on the DuMont network, one of early television's first space heroes. The role typecast him, and he later worked as a security guard. He died in New York in 1979.
Highlights
- Originated Britt Reid, the Green Hornet, on WXYZ in January 1936
- Played the role until January 1943
- Also a WXYZ editorialist, sports announcer, disc jockey and producer
- Starred as Captain Video on DuMont television, 1950–1955
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Performed here · 1936–1943
Maccabees Building (former WXYZ studios)
WXYZ's studios, where Hodge performed The Green Hornet live.