
Greene is best known for playing the patriarchal character Ben Cartwright on the long-running western Bonanza (1959-73). Throughout the 70's Greene was also popular as the spokesman for Alpo Beef Chunks dog food commercials. Weeks before this death in 1987, he had signed on for a revival of Bonzana. Bummer... no reprisal.
In 1964, Greene had a #1 single on the charts ~ although which charts is still in question ~ with the western ballad Ringo. Growing up I had this 45 on my jukebox in the basement. I swear I could play the best pool of my life while serenaded by "The Canadian Voice of Doom."