Laurence George "Laurie" Main (29 November 1922 – 8 February 2012) was an Australian actor best known for hosting and narrating the children's series '' Welcome to Pooh Corner'', which aired on

The Disney Channel Disney Channel, sometimes known as simply Disney, is an American pay television channel that serves as the flagship property of Disney Branded Television, a unit of the Disney General Entertainment Content division of The Walt Disney Com ...

during the 1980s. Born in Melbourne, Main moved to the UK at the age of 16, making his acting debut in '' The Yellow Balloon''. He emigrated to the United States in 1960, studying with

Agnes Moorehead Agnes Robertson Moorehead (December 6, 1900April 30, 1974) was an American actress. In a career spanning four decades, her credits included work in radio, stage, film, and television.Obituary ''Variety'', May 8, 1974, page 286. Moorehead was th ...

. His television and film guest appearances include ''

Wagon Train ''Wagon Train'' is an American Western series that aired 8 seasons: first on the NBC television network (1957–1962), and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and became number one in the Nielsen ratings ...

'', ''

Alfred Hitchcock Presents ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, aired on CBS and NBC between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers and mysteries. Between 1962 and 1965 it was r ...

'', ''

Maverick Maverick, Maveric or Maverik may refer to: History * Maverick (animal), an unbranded range animal, derived from U.S. cattleman Samuel Maverick Aviation * AEA Maverick, an Australian single-seat sportsplane design * General Aviation Design Bure ...

'', ''

I Spy I spy is a guessing game where one player (the ''spy'' or ''it'') chooses an object within sight and announces to the other players that "I spy with my little eye something beginning with...", naming the first letter of the object. Other players a ...

'', ''

The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. ''The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.'' is an American spy fiction TV series starring Stefanie Powers that aired on NBC for one season from September 16, 1966, to April 11, 1967. The series was a spin-off from '' The Man from U.N.C.L.E.'' and used the sam ...

'', ''

Get Smart ''Get Smart'' is an American comedy television series parodying the secret agent genre that had become widely popular in the first half of the 1960s, with the release of the ''James Bond'' films. It was created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, an ...

'', ''

The Andy Griffith Show ''The Andy Griffith Show '' is an American sitcom, situation comedy television series that aired on CBS from October 3, 1960, to April 1, 1968, with a total of 249 half-hour episodes spanning eight seasons—159 in black and white and 90 in colo ...

'', '' The Three Stooges Go Around the World in a Daze'', ''

That Girl ''That Girl'' is an American sitcom that ran on ABC from September 8, 1966 to March 19, 1971. It starred Marlo Thomas as the title character Ann Marie, an aspiring (but only sporadically employed) actress, who moves from her hometown of Brewster ...

'', '' Ironside'', ''

The Monkees The Monkees were an American rock and pop band, formed in Los Angeles in 1966, whose lineup consisted of the American actor/musicians Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork alongside English actor/singer Davy Jones. The group was con ...

'', ''

Hogan's Heroes ''Hogan's Heroes'' is an American television sitcom set in a Nazi German prisoner-of-war (POW) camp during World War II. It ran for 168 episodes (six seasons) from September 17, 1965, to April 4, 1971, on the CBS network, the longest broadcast ...

'', ''

Mayberry R.F.D. ''Mayberry R.F.D.'' (abbreviation for Rural Free Delivery) is an American television series produced as a spin-off continuation of ''The Andy Griffith Show''. When star Andy Griffith decided to leave his series, most of the supporting characters ...

'', '' The Ghost & Mrs. Muir'', ''

Daniel Boone Daniel Boone (September 26, 1820) was an American pioneer and frontiersman whose exploits made him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. He became famous for his exploration and settlement of Kentucky, which was then beyond the we ...

'', ''

Family Affair ''Family Affair'' is an American sitcom starring Brian Keith and Sebastian Cabot that aired on CBS from September 12, 1966, to March 4, 1971. The series explored the trials of well-to-do engineer and bachelor Bill Davis (Keith) as he attemp ...

'', ''

Bewitched ''Bewitched'' is an American fantasy sitcom television series that originally aired for eight seasons on ABC from September 17, 1964, to March 25, 1972. It is about a witch who marries an ordinary mortal man and vows to lead the life of a typ ...

'', ''

The Partridge Family ''The Partridge Family'' is an American musical sitcom starring Shirley Jones and featuring David Cassidy. Jones plays a widowed mother, and Cassidy plays the oldest of her five children, in a family who embarks on a music career. It ran from S ...

'', ''

McMillan & Wife ''McMillan & Wife'' (known simply as ''McMillan'' from 1976–77) is an American police procedural television series that aired on NBC from September 17, 1971, to April 24, 1977. Starring Rock Hudson and Susan Saint James in the title roles, the ...

'', '' Land of the Lost'', ''

Little House on the Prairie The ''Little House on the Prairie'' books is a series of American children's novels written by Laura Ingalls Wilder (b. Laura Elizabeth Ingalls). The stories are based on her childhood and adolescence in the American Midwest (Wisconsin, Kansas, ...

'', ''

Punky Brewster ''Punky Brewster'' is an American Situation comedy, sitcom television series about a young girl (Soleil Moon Frye) being raised by a foster parent (George Gaynes). The show ran on NBC from September 16, 1984, to March 9, 1986, and again in Broad ...

'' and ''

Murder, She Wrote ''Murder, She Wrote'' is an American crime drama television series, created by Peter S. Fischer, Richard Levinson and William Link, starring Angela Lansbury, and produced and distributed by Universal Television for the CBS network. The seri ...

''. Main also appeared in '' The Facts of Life Goes to Paris'' in 1982. His stage work included ''

The Diary of a Nobody ''The Diary of a Nobody'' is an English comic novel written by the brothers George and Weedon Grossmith, with illustrations by the latter. It originated as an intermittent serial in '' Punch'' magazine in 1888–89 and first appeared in book fo ...

'' (1954/5) and '' Waltz of the Toreadors'' (1956) in London's West End; and he made several appearances on

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

. He also appeared on many television commercials. Main also did considerable voice work for

Disney The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. Disney was originally founded on October ...

, having supplied the voice of Dr. Watson in the 1986 animated film ''

The Great Mouse Detective ''The Great Mouse Detective'' (also known as ''The Adventures of the Great Mouse Detective'' for its 1992 theatrical re-release and ''Basil the Great Mouse Detective'' in some countries) is a 1986 American animated mystery adventure film produc ...

''. He also narrated the animated shorts ''Winnie the Pooh Discovers the Seasons'' (1981) and '' Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore'' (1983), as well as serving as the story reader on many Disney Read-Along records, audio cassettes and compact discs. Main died on 8 February 2012 in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world ...

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...

at the age of 89.

Filmography

*'' The Yellow Balloon'' (1953) as Bibulous Customer *'' The Master Plan'' (1955) as Johnny Orwell *'' Shop Spoiled'' (1954) as Coffee Stall Customer *''

Delavine Affair ''The Delavine Affair'' is a 1955 British second feature crime film directed by Douglas Peirce and starring Peter Reynolds, Honor Blackman and Gordon Jackson. It was based on the 1952 novel ''Winter Wears a Shroud'' by Robert Chapman. Plot ...

'' (1954) as Summit *''

The Adventures of Robin Hood ''The Adventures of Robin Hood'' is a 1938 American Technicolor swashbuckler film from Warner Bros. Pictures. It was produced by Hal B. Wallis and Henry Blanke, directed by Michael Curtiz and William Keighley, and stars Errol Flynn, Olivia d ...

'' (1956, TV Series) as Cook *'' The New Adventures of Charlie Chan'' (1958, TV Series) as Cecil Meadows *'' The Whole Truth'' (1958) as Party Guest *'' Fair Game'' (1958, TV Series) as George Square *''

Sunday Night Theatre ''Sunday Night Theatre'' was a long-running series of televised live television plays screened by BBC Television from early 1950 until 1959. The productions for the first five years or so of the run were re-staged live the following Thursday, pa ...

'' (1958-1959, TV Series) as Mihaly Farkas / Father Looe *'' Dow Hour of Great Mysteries'' (1960, TV Series) as Connors *'' Shirley Temple Theatre'' (1960, TV Series) as Archbishop of Canterbury *''

The DuPont Show of the Month ''DuPont Show of the Month'' was a 90-minute television anthology series that aired monthly on CBS from 1957 to 1961. The DuPont Company also sponsored a weekly half-hour dramatic anthology series hosted by June Allyson, ''The DuPont Show with Ju ...

'' (1960, TV Series) *''

'' (1960-1961, TV Series) as Crimmins / Marquis of Bognor *''

Vanity Fair Vanity Fair may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Literature * Vanity Fair, a location in '' The Pilgrim's Progress'' (1678), by John Bunyan * ''Vanity Fair'' (novel), 1848, by William Makepeace Thackeray * ''Vanity Fair'' (magazines), the ...

'' (1961, TV Series) *'' Bachelor Father'' (1961, TV Series) as Beechim *''

'' (1961, TV Series) as Father Francis Xavier Sweeney *''

'' (1961, TV Series) as Wilkins *'' Play of the Week'' (1961, TV Series) as Roger Compton *''

Jane Eyre ''Jane Eyre'' ( ; originally published as ''Jane Eyre: An Autobiography'') is a novel by the English writer Charlotte Brontë. It was published under her pen name "Currer Bell" on 19 October 1847 by Smith, Elder & Co. of London. The first ...

'' (1961, TV Movie) as St. John Rivers *''

Great Ghost Tales ''Great Ghost Tales'' is an American horror television series that aired Live from July 6 until September 21, 1961. The program was the summer replacement for ''The Ford Show''. Premise An anthology of scary stories hosted by Frank Gallop. Cast ...

'' (1961, TV Series) as Sir Robert Tyne *''

Alcoa Premiere ''Alcoa Premiere'' (also known as ''Premiere, Presented by Fred Astaire'') is an American anthology drama series that aired from October 1961 to July 1963 on ABC. The series was hosted by Fred Astaire, who also starred in several of the episodes ...

'' (1961, TV Series) as Sergeant Hadley *'' Ichabod and Me'' (1961, TV Series) as Arthur Barnsdall *''

The Dick Powell Theatre ''The Dick Powell Show'' is an American television anthology series that ran on NBC from September 26, 1961, until September 17, 1963, primarily sponsored by the Reynolds Metals Company. Overview The series was an anthology of various drama ...

'' (1961, TV Series) as Harold Elrod *''

Hawaiian Eye ''Hawaiian Eye'' is an American detective television series that ran from October 1959 to April 1963 on the ABC television network. Premise Private investigator Tracy Steele ( Anthony Eisley) and his half-Hawaiian partner, Tom Lopaka ( Robert ...

'' (1962, TV Series) as Sir Wilfrid *'' The Detectives Starring Robert Taylor'' (1962, TV series) as Colonel Driscoll *''

The Phantom of the Opera ''The Phantom of the Opera'' (french: Le Fantôme de l'Opéra) is a novel by French author Gaston Leroux. It was first published as a serial in from 23 September 1909 to 8 January 1910, and was released in volume form in late March 1910 by Pier ...

'' (1962) as Forbes (uncredited) *'' The Punch and Judy Man'' (1963) as 2nd Drunk *'' The Three Stooges Go Around the World in a Daze'' (1963) as Carruthers (uncredited) *'' The DuPont Show of the Week'' (1963, TV Series) as J.T. Cooper *''

The Third Man ''The Third Man'' is a 1949 British film noir directed by Carol Reed, written by Graham Greene and starring Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Orson Welles, and Trevor Howard. Set in postwar Vienna, the film centres on American Holly Martins (Cotten ...

'' (1963-1965, TV Series) as Dennis Nesbit *''

(1964, tv show) as Benjamin Franklin *''

The Jack Benny Program ''The Jack Benny Program'', starring Jack Benny, is a radio-TV comedy series that ran for more than three decades and is generally regarded as a high-water mark in 20th century American comedy. He played one role throughout his radio and televis ...

'' (1964, TV Series) as Dr. Granger *''

I'd Rather Be Rich ''I'd Rather Be Rich'' is a 1964 romantic comedy film with musical aspects directed by Jack Smight, produced by Ross Hunter and starring Sandra Dee. The film focuses on a dying man who wishes to meet his granddaughter's fiancé, but he is unavaila ...

'' (1964) as Harrison *''

My Fair Lady ''My Fair Lady'' is a musical based on George Bernard Shaw's 1913 play '' Pygmalion'', with a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. The story concerns Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl who takes speech lessons ...

'' (1964) as Hoxton Man Not Hoston (uncredited) *''

Honey West Honey West is a fictional character created by the husband and wife writing team Gloria and Forest Fickling under the pseudonym "G.G. Fickling", and appearing in eleven mystery novels by the duo. The character is notable as being one of the firs ...

'' (1965, TV Series) as Antoine *''

Munster, Go Home! ''Munster, Go Home!'' is a 1966 American comedy film based on the 1960s family sitcom ''The Munsters''. It was directed by Earl Bellamy, who also directed a number of episodes in the series. The film was produced immediately after the television ...

'' (1966) as Minor Role (uncredited) *''

'' (1966, TV Series) as Luchesi *''

'' (1966, TV Series) as Shah Karum *''

'' (1966-1969, TV Series) as Air Marshal Woodhouse / Colonel Wembley / Major Shawcross / Col. Franz *''

'' (1967, TV Series) as Dr. Ramsey *'' The Scorpio Letters'' (1967, TV Movie) as Tyson *''

'' (1967, TV Series) as Robling Flask *'' The Iron Horse'' (1967, TV Series) as Father Jean Louis *''

'' (1967, TV Series) as Grimsley / Maitre D' *''

'' (1967-1971, TV series) as Tour Guide / Guide / Francis *'' The Guns of Will Sonnett'' (1968, TV Series) as Judge *'' Ironside'' (1968, TV Series) as Harris *''

'' (1968, TV Series) as Mr. Friar *''

'' (1968-1970, TV Series) as Mr. Edgemont / Passenger / Mr. Smyser *'' Target: Harry'' (1969) as Simon Scott *''

'' (1969, TV Series) as Thornton Avery *'' The Ghost & Mrs. Muir'' (1970, TV Series) as Nero *''

'' (1965-1970, TV Series) as Stinch / Sir Samuel Peacham / Benjamin Franklin *''

On a Clear Day You Can See Forever ''On a Clear Day You Can See Forever'' is a musical with music by Burton Lane and a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner based loosely on ''Berkeley Square'', written in 1926 by John L. Balderston. It concerns a woman who has ESP and has been re ...

'' (1970) as Lord Percy *''

Darling Lili ''Darling Lili'' is a 1970 American romantic-musical spy film, written by William Peter Blatty and Blake Edwards, the latter also directing the film. It stars Julie Andrews, Rock Hudson, and Jeremy Kemp, with music by Henry Mancini and lyrics by ...

'' (1970) as French General *'' Night Chase'' (1970, TV Movie) as Tout *'' Cat Ballou'' (1971, TV Movie) as Land Developer *''

The Doris Day Show ''The Doris Day Show'' is an American sitcom which was originally broadcast on CBS from September 1968 until March 1973, remaining on the air for five seasons and 128 episodes. The series is remembered for its multiple format and cast chang ...

'' (1971, TV Series) as Father Kingsley *'' Private Parts'' (1972) as Reverend Moon *''

'' (1972, TV Series) as Frederic La Forge *''

'' (1973, TV Series) as Alfie *''

The Strongest Man in the World ''The Strongest Man in the World'' is a 1975 American science fiction comedy film directed by Vincent McEveety, produced by Walt Disney Productions and starring Kurt Russell, Joe Flynn, and Eve Arden. It is the second sequel to the 1969 film '' ...

'' (1975) as Mr. Reedy *''My Father's House'' (1975, TV Movie) as Food Editor *'' Land of the Lost'' (1976, TV Series) as William Blandings *'' Freaky Friday'' (1976) as Mr. Mills *'' Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo'' (1977) as Duval *''

Five Weeks in a Balloon ''Five Weeks in a Balloon, or, A Journey of Discovery by Three Englishmen in Africa'' (french: Cinq semaines en ballon) is an adventure novel by Jules Verne, published in 1863. It is the first novel in which he perfected the "ingredients" of hi ...

'' (1977, TV Movie) (voice) *'' Black Beauty'' (1978, TV movie) as Farmer Grey / Squire Douglas Gordon / Pipe Smoking Stable Owner (voice) *'' Time After Time'' (1979) as Inspector Gregson *'' ABC Weekend Specials'' (1979, TV Series) as Reggie *'' The Competition'' (1980) as Judge Wyeth *'' CBS Children's Mystery Theatre'' (1980, TV Series) as Dr. Watson *'' Tarzan, the Ape Man'' (1981) as Club Member (voice) *'' Winnie the Pooh Discovers the Seasons'' (1981, Short) as Narrator (voice) *''

'' (1981, TV Series) as Major Guffey *'' The Facts of Life Goes to Paris'' (1982, TV Movie) as Reggie *'' Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore'' (1983, Short) as Narrator (voice) *''

Casablanca Casablanca, also known in Arabic as Dar al-Bayda ( ar, الدَّار الْبَيْضَاء, al-Dār al-Bayḍāʾ, ; ber, ⴹⴹⴰⵕⵍⴱⵉⴹⴰ, ḍḍaṛlbiḍa, : "White House") is the largest city in Morocco and the country's econom ...

'' (1983, TV Series) as Wilf Parker *'' Welcome to Pooh Corner'' (1983, TV Series) (voice) *''

Monchhichis is a line of Japanese stuffed monkey toys from the Sekiguchi Corporation, first released in 1974. They were licensed by Mattel in the United States until 1985, and later distributed worldwide directly by Sekiguchi. Four television series were pr ...

'' (1983, TV series) (voice) *''

Cheech & Chong's The Corsican Brothers ''Cheech & Chong's The Corsican Brothers'' is an American film released in 1984, the sixth feature-length film starring the comedy duo Cheech and Chong. Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong star as the two twin brothers in a parody of various film adaptat ...

'' (1984) as Narrator *''

Dumbo's Circus ''Dumbo's Circus'' is a live action/puppet A puppet is an object, often resembling a human, animal or mythical figure, that is animated or manipulated by a person called a puppeteer. The puppeteer uses movements of their hands, arms, or co ...

'' (1985, TV Series) (voice) *''

My Chauffeur ''My Chauffeur'' is a 1986 American comedy film produced by Crown International Pictures and Marimark Productions starring Deborah Foreman, Sam J. Jones, Howard Hesseman and E.G. Marshall. It was written and directed by David Beaird. The origi ...

'' (1986) as Jenkins *''

'' (1986) as Dr. Watson (archive sound) *''

'' (1988, TV series) as Announcer *'' The New Yogi Bear Show'' (1988, TV series) (voice) *''

Wicked Stepmother A stepmother, stepmum or stepmom is a non-biological female parent married to one's preexisting parent. A stepmother-in-law is a stepmother of one's spouse. Children from her spouse's previous unions are known as her stepchildren. Culture Step ...

'' (1989) as Client *''

Paddington Bear Paddington Bear is a fictional character in children's literature. He first appeared on 13 October 1958 in the children's book ''A Bear Called Paddington'' and has been featured in more than twenty books written by British author Michael Bond, a ...

'' (1989-1990, TV Series) (voice) *''

Rover Dangerfield ''Rover Dangerfield'' is a 1991 American animated musical comedy film starring the voice talent of comedian Rodney Dangerfield, who also wrote and co-produced the film. It is about a street dog named Rover, who is owned by a Las Vegas showgirl. R ...

'' (1991) (voice) *''

'' (1992, TV Series) as Man *'' Mom and Dad Save the World'' (1992) as Chorus Master *'' Robin Hood: Men in Tights'' (1993) as Wedding Guest *''

The Thief and the Cobbler ''The Thief and the Cobbler'' is an unfinished animated fantasy film co-written and directed by Richard Williams. Originally conceived in the 1960s, the film was in and out of production for nearly three decades due to independent funding and ...

'' (1993) as The Brigand *''

Piglet's Big Game ''Disney's Piglet's Big Game'' is a 2003 action-adventure video game developed by French developer Doki Denki Studio and Hulabee Entertainment, and published by Gotham Games, Disney Interactive Studios, and THQ. The game centers around Piglet and ...

'' (2003) as the Narrator

References

3. Demetria Fulton previewed Main on The Facts of Life; episode titled, "The Facts of Life Goes to Paris “(09/25/1982).

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Main, Laurie 1922 births 2012 deaths Australian male stage actors Australian male film actors Australian male television actors Australian male voice actors British emigrants to the United States Australian emigrants to the United Kingdom Audiobook narrators