Don Lane Died at Age 75 from Dementia Related Illness

by Scott Wu | October 21, 2009 at 07:52 pm

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TV Legend Don Lane has passed away at age 75 from dementia-related illness on October 22, 2009. The 6-time Logie Awards winner was diagnosed with dementia in 2005. He was inducted in the TV Week Logie Awards Hall of Fame.

Don Lane, born 1933 as Morton Donald Isaacson, got his first break on Australian television in 1965. His most famous show was The Don Lane Show, debuted in 1975.

Lane's son, musician Joseph Portelli, was scheduled to play for an Alzheimer's fundraiser show tonight:

"I have come to know just how difficult it can be for the families of those stricken with the disease and how much care is required to ensure a quality of life for their loved ones," he told today's Stonington Leader.

His career was not without controversy. In 1968, he was charged with importing marijuana into Australia. He protested his innocence, claiming the marijuana was planted by his former business associate. Lane was eventually found not guilty.

Dementia is a serious cognitive disorder, which affects memory, attention, language and problem solving. The disorder is most common among the elderly, but can also occur in any stage of adulthood.

Link: Don Lane's Final Interview

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