Lloyd Bochner really made a name for himself in the entertainment world, and it all started when he was just 11 years old—imagine that—kicking things off on radio. Yeah, Lloyd Bochner began his journey in show biz at a surprisingly young age, and from there, he steadily built up an impressive resume. After taking on various roles on stage and screen back home in Canada, he decided to take a big leap and moved to New York City. That move definitely paid off because soon after, he landed a spot on the Emmy-winning drama “Studio One in Hollywood,” which helped put Lloyd Bochner on the map.
By 1960, Lloyd Bochner had become a cast member of “Hong Kong,” an adventure series that not only showcased his talent but also helped launch the career of Australian actor Rod Taylor. The show ran for two solid years and was a real game-changer for Lloyd Bochner’s visibility in the industry. But it wasn’t just “Hong Kong” that boosted his profile—his standout performance in one of the most iconic episodes of “The Twilight Zone,” titled “To Serve Man,” truly cemented his place in TV history. In that unforgettable episode, aliens arrive on Earth claiming to help humanity by eliminating hunger, disease, and war. Sounds great, right? Well, the twist comes when a code-breaker discovers the horrifying truth—the aliens aren’t here to serve mankind; they’re here to serve mankind… as food! And Lloyd Bochner played a key role in unraveling that chilling plot.
Over the years, Lloyd Bochner kept busy with a wide range of television projects. He appeared on dramatic anthology series like “The Richard Boone Show,” brought some laughs as part of the ensemble on the POW comedy “Hogan’s Heroes,” and even lent his voice to the animated classic “Batman.” With over 190 credits across both TV and film, Lloyd Bochner certainly didn’t slow down. But if you ask most people what he’s best known for, they’ll almost certainly mention his role as Cecil Colby on the wildly popular 1980s primetime soap opera “Dynasty.” That role really defined the later part of his career and made Lloyd Bochner a household name for a whole new generation of viewers.
Sadly, Lloyd Bochner passed away in 2005 at the age of 81 after battling cancer. He left behind a lasting legacy—and three children, one of whom followed in his footsteps: actor Hart Bochner. Through his decades-long career, Lloyd Bochner proved time and again that he was more than just a supporting player—he was a true talent who brought depth and charisma to every role he took on. And honestly, that’s something worth remembering.
Lloyd Bochner has had a long and varied career in film, but if you’re looking at the peak of his work in terms of critical reception, you can’t overlook The Detective from 1968. This film really stands out as his most acclaimed performance. On the flip side, not every project he was involved in received the same level of praise. For instance, The Lonely Lady (1983) tends to be viewed as one of his less successful roles, garnering much lower ratings overall. While Lloyd Bochner’s filmography includes a wide range of characters and genres, these two films—The Detective and The Lonely Lady—represent the high and low points in terms of audience and critic reception.