“Petticoat Junction” actor Charles Lane died at 102

Although Charles Lane was little known by name he was always recognized for his ‘crotchety persona’ and roles in over a hundred films. Lane has died at the age of 102.

Lane is mostly likely best known for his role in films such as “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town,” and “Twentieth Century.” He also appeared on the TV sitcom “Petticoat Junction” at the ‘scheming railroad man’ and “I Love Lucy.”

Lane also played in more than 100 plays because he liked a variety of roles and characters. On his 100th birthday he told the Associated Press, “You did something that was pretty good and the picture was pretty good. That pedigreed you in that type of part, which I thought was stupid, and unfair, too. It didn’t give me a chance, but it made casting easier for the studio.”

Lane worked mostly at Warner Bros. and sometimes would be rushed from set to set because he would film his part in three to four movies a day.

Lane’s son, Tom Lane, said his father died peacefully while talking to him on Monday morning. “He was lying in bed with his eyes real wide open. Then he closed his eyes and stopped breathing,” Tom Lane said.

www.finditt.com