The Official General Hospital Fan Club

December 5, 1921 – April 9, 2017 Peter was born December 5, 1921, in Oakland, California, to Sidney Henry Hansen and Lena Gertrude Young.

Peter was raised in Detroit, Michigan and graduated from Lincoln High School where he met Florence (Betty) Elizabeth Moe. He attended the University of Michigan then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Peter and Betty married on July 7, 1943. Peter flew combat in the South Pacific. He followed his dream of acting to the Pasadena Playhouse with Betty and daughter Kristen Elizabeth. He was signed by Paramount Studios, and featured in “Branded” (1950), with Alan Ladd, “When Worlds Collide” (1951) and “The Savage” (1952), with Charlton Heston. Peter acted on stage on Broadway, in Los Angeles and San Francisco. His many television appearances included Sea Hunt, Jim Bowie, Science Fiction Theatre, Perry Mason, The Lone Ranger, and Matinee Theatre. He was spokesman for Plymouth automobiles on Lawrence Welk, Steve Allen and Gary Moore variety shows. In 1961, he was news anchorman at KCOP-TV. His most memorable role was as Lee Baldwin on ABC’s enduring daytime drama, “General Hospital,” from 1965 to 2001, earning an Emmy in 1979 for Outstanding Supporting Actor. In 1997, he helped launch “Port Charles.”

He loved flying, owning his own Cessna for decades, spent many vacations in the Sierra Nevada high country. He led a devoted spiritual life at St. Nicholas of Myra Episcopal Church, Encino. Peter was husband to Betty for 50 years until her death in 1993. He shared 24 years then as companion to Barbara Wenzel. He is survived by son, Rev. Canon Peter Falconer Hansen (Giti), daughter, Gretchen Hansen Chartier (Dr. Robert); grandchildren Allison Severn, Erik Johnson (Aminy) and Jamal Hansen; and great-grandchildren.

A memorial requiem will follow at a later date. Peaceful Reflections, 26752 Oak Avenue, Ste A, Santa Clarita, CA 91351, are handling the funeral arrangements.

Published in the Los Angeles Times from Apr. 11 to Apr. 12, 2017