Curiosidades

In 1959, four years after Captain Video and His Video Rangers (1949) series had ended, he appeared as Captain Video at the Macy's Department Store in New York, drawing the largest crowd in the store's history.

During the early 1950s he testified at a Senate hearing that was looking into television violence, a concern even then. He explained to those present that Captain Video and His Video Rangers (1949) 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 continually addressed Hodge as "Captain", an indication of how closely his persona had become identified with the character.

During his Captain Video and His Video Rangers (1949) years, he taught Sunday School classes at his Congregational church in Manhasset, Long Island, New York.

After serving as a lieutenant (j.g.) in the US Navy, Hodge 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 he won the lead role over dozens of others for WXYZ's new "Green Hornet" series.

The life and struggle of Al Hodge was the inspiration for the episode "The Grey Ghost" of the TV show Batman: A Série Animada (1992). 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.

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

In July 1956 he 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, Luis Van Rooten, Nelson Case, Dick Stark, Beatrice Kraft and Ray Heatherton.

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

His 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), acting in "Gang Busters", "Front Page Farrell" and "Mr. District Attorney", before reaching national fame as the lead in "The Green Hornet".

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).

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.

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 and His Video Rangers (1949) autographed portraits are signed "Hal Hodge".

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

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