Don Harron
A shape-shifting Canadian entertainer who brought rural wit to national television and gave America its favorite hayseed philosopher.
1924–2015 (age 91)·Canadian actor and comedian·Birthday: September 19·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Don Harron’s career was a masterclass in creative versatility, stretching from the stages of wartime England to the heart of American pop culture. Born in Toronto, he cut his teeth as a radio actor before becoming a fixture on CBC Television, where his sharp wit found a home. His true breakthrough came from the soil of his imagination: the character of Charlie Farquharson, a garrulous, malapropism-spouting farmer from Parry Sound. This creation, honed in nightclubs and on records, became a national treasure in Canada and, improbably, a star on the American syndicated hit 'Hee Haw' for over two decades. Beyond the overalls, Harron was a serious playwright, adapting 'Anne of Green Gables' for the stage, a journalist who wrote for 'Maclean's,' and a composer. His life was a refusal to be pinned down to one craft, proving that intellectual heft and homespun humor could come from the same brilliantly inventive mind.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Don was born in 1924, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Don Was Born
The biggest hits of 1924
#1 Movie
The Sea Hawk
Don's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1924Born
First Winter Olympics held in Chamonix, France
President: Calvin Coolidge"It Had to Be You" — Isham Jones
1929Started school
Wall Street crashes, triggering the Great Depression
Gas: $0.21/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Singin' in the Rain" — Cliff EdwardsBest Picture: The Broadway Melody
1937Became a teenager
Hindenburg disaster; Golden Gate Bridge opens
Gas: $0.20/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"A-Tisket, A-Tasket" — Ella FitzgeraldBest Picture: The Life of Emile Zola
1940Could drive
The Blitz: Germany bombs London
Gas: $0.18/galHome: $2,938Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I'll Never Smile Again" — Tommy DorseyBest Picture: Rebecca
1942Could vote
Battle of Midway turns the tide in the Pacific
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,175Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"White Christmas" — Bing CrosbyBest Picture: Mrs. Miniver
1945Turned 21
WWII ends; atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $4,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Sentimental Journey" — Les Brown & Doris DayBest Picture: The Lost Weekend
1954Turned 30
Brown v. Board of Education desegregates US schools
Gas: $0.29/galHome: $8,925Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Little Things Mean a Lot" — Kitty KallenBest Picture: On the Waterfront
1964Turned 40
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1974Turned 50
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1984Turned 60
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1994Turned 70
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2004Turned 80
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2015Died at 91
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
Key Achievements
- Created and performed the beloved rural philosopher character Charlie Farquharson for over five decades.
- Adapted Lucy Maud Montgomery's 'Anne of Green Gables' into the long-running stage musical that launched the Charlottetown Festival.
- Appeared as a regular cast member on the American television phenomenon 'Hee Haw' for 24 seasons.
- Served as a writer and host for CBC Television, contributing to programs like 'The Spring Thaw' and 'The Big Revue.'
Did You Know?
He served as a navigator in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II.
His Charlie Farquharson character first appeared on the CBC radio show 'The Big Revue' in 1952.
He published a series of books under the Charlie Farquharson name, including 'Charlie Farquharson's History of Canada.'
He was married to actress and singer Catherine McKinnon for over 30 years.
“I'm not a comedian. I'm a humorist. A comedian says funny things; a humorist says things funny.”
