Victor Lundin was an American character actor who is best remembered as appearing in the 1964 science fiction film Robinson Crusoe on Mars as the character Friday and for having later portrayed the first Klingon seen on screen in the Star Trek television franchise.
17 Facts About Victor Lundin
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Victor Lundin appeared in films directed by Robert Wise and George Stevens, as well as in other television series such as Batman and The Time Tunnel.
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Victor Lundin's father was from a German American background, and his mother was English.
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Victor Lundin wanted to work in films from a young age, after enjoying watching them at the cinema where his father worked.
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Victor Lundin began to play semi-pro baseball as a pitcher for the Skokie Indians, but an injury to his throwing arm in his second game ended his career.
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Victor Lundin began to study music at Roosevelt University, but after a year won a part in the Lyric Opera of Chicago's performance of Don Giovanni, which created an opportunity for him to study abroad in Italy.
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Victor Lundin began to find work in Hollywood, not as an actor but as a singer.
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Victor Lundin appeared on the variety show Hootenanny as a folk musician and made 24 appearances on The Red Rowe Show in this same capacity.
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Victor Lundin became known for his portrayal of tough men on screen, as well as Native Americans.
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Victor Lundin appeared in several 1960's science fiction and superhero television series, such as Batman as one of the Penguin's henchmen, and as Chief Standing Pat in separate episodes.
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Victor Lundin portrayed the Klingon Lieutenant, and became the first Klingon to be seen on screen by virtue of walking into frame moments before John Colicos' Kor.
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Victor Lundin had previously auditioned for the role of Spock, which wound up going to Leonard Nimoy instead.
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Victor Lundin appeared in other series such as The Time Tunnel and later in his career in Babylon 5.
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Victor Lundin was a regular at science fiction conventions, and continued to sing professionally, including making an appearance on a cruise in the early 2000s.
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Victor Lundin married Christa Friedlander in 1961 and had three children; two sons and a daughter.
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Victor Lundin raised his three children alone and later met Amelia Pryharski with whom he spent the last 20 years of his life.
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Victor Lundin was involved with charities, including the Child Welfare League of America.