Ravenna Actor Al Hodge Was Green Hornet on Radio

Portage County native became a 1930s superstar while portraying a masked crimefighter on the airwaves.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 10:10am

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A striking black silhouette of the Green Hornet, a masked superhero from 1930s radio dramas, rendered in a bold, graphic style with stark geometric shapes and high-contrast colors.The iconic Green Hornet, a masked crime-fighter from 1930s radio dramas, is reimagined in a bold, minimalist visual style that captures the character's heroic spirit and enduring legacy.Today in Detroit

Al Hodge, a Ravenna, Ohio native, rose to fame in the 1930s and 1940s as the voice of the Green Hornet on the popular radio drama series of the same name. Hodge originated the role of the masked crime-fighting hero, who used a gas gun to immobilize criminals, three years before the debut of Batman in DC Comics. Hodge also voiced characters on other national radio programs like 'The Lone Ranger' and 'Challenge of the Yukon' and provided color commentary for University of Michigan football games.

Why it matters

Hodge's portrayal of the Green Hornet on radio helped establish the character as an iconic superhero, paving the way for the Green Hornet's enduring popularity across various media including comic books, movies, and television. His success as a radio actor also demonstrates the significant cultural impact and widespread appeal of radio dramas in the early-to-mid 20th century.

The details

Born in 1912 in Ravenna, Ohio, Hodge grew up in a family of performers - his father had toured with Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West show. After graduating from Miami University, Hodge began his acting career in a New England stock company before moving to Detroit to join the writing staff at WXYZ radio. There, he was cast as the lead in the new radio drama 'The Green Hornet,' which debuted in 1936. Hodge played the foppish newspaper publisher Britt Reid who transformed into the masked crime-fighter, the Green Hornet, using a gas gun to subdue criminals. Hodge starred in the role for seven years until joining the Navy during World War II.

  • The Green Hornet radio drama debuted in January 1936.
  • Hodge starred as the Green Hornet for seven years until joining the Navy in 1943.
  • Hodge returned to the role in 1945 but moved to New York six months later.

The players

Al Hodge

A Ravenna, Ohio native who rose to fame in the 1930s and 1940s as the voice of the Green Hornet on the popular radio drama series.

George Trendle

The president of WXYZ radio who developed the Green Hornet character along with writer Fran Striker.

Fran Striker

The writer who co-created the Green Hornet character with George Trendle.

Tokataro Hayashi

The owner of a Japanese restaurant in Detroit who played the role of Kato, the Green Hornet's faithful valet, on the radio series.

Gordon Jones

The actor who played the on-camera role of the Green Hornet in the 1940 Universal movie serial, while Hodge provided the character's voice.

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What they’re saying

“It was originally called 'The Hornet,' and we discovered we could not copyright the name without an adjective in front of it. That was the reason we had to pick one. So it could have been 'Blue,' 'Purple' or anything. Of course, 'The Pink Hornet' wouldn't fit very well. We suddenly decided upon the word 'Green.'”

— Al Hodge, Actor

“That meant learning how to make an entrance so that it sounded as if you were coming from a distance, plus the right amount of voice to use when you raised or lowered it, depending upon where you were in relation to the microphone, plus maintaining a balance against someone else's voice, which might be weaker or stronger than yours, and so on.”

— Al Hodge, Actor

“I'm totally amazed at the number of people who listened.”

— Al Hodge, Actor

What’s next

Part II of the Al Hodge story, covering his transition to television as Captain Video, is set to be published next week.

The takeaway

Al Hodge's iconic portrayal of the Green Hornet on radio in the 1930s and 1940s helped establish the character as a beloved superhero and paved the way for the Green Hornet's enduring popularity across various media. Hodge's success also demonstrates the significant cultural impact and widespread appeal of radio dramas during that era.