The Green Hornet (1966)
The classic ABC crime-fighting series that introduced Bruce Lee's Kato to the world, across one electrifying 1966–1967 season.
The Green Hornet - Series Information
- Original Title: The Green Hornet
- First Air Year: 1966
- Last Air Year: 1967
- Created by: George W. Trendle, Fran Striker
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Crime, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 25 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 26
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Spanish
- First Air Date: September 9, 1966 (United States - TV-PG), September 9, 1966 (Spain - 7)
- Networks: ABC
- Alternative Titles: Besouro Verde (BR)
- Production Companies: 20th Century Fox Television
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Green Hornet - Plot
The Green Hornet is a television series on the ABC US television network that aired for the 1966–1967 TV season starring Van Williams as the Green Hornet/Britt Reid and Bruce Lee as Kato.
The Green Hornet - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a taste of the action-packed 1966 classic:
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The Green Hornet - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- George W. Trendle
- Fran Striker
Main Cast
- Van Williams
- Bruce Lee
- Wende Wagner
- Lloyd Gough
- Walter Brooke
- William Dozier
- Gary Owens
- Ken Strange
- Jack Garner
- Geoffrey Horne
Writers
- Lorenzo Semple Jr.
- William L. Stuart
- Lee Loeb
- George W. Trendle
- Charles Hoffman
The Green Hornet - FAQs
Who played Kato in The Green Hornet?
Bruce Lee played Kato, the Green Hornet's loyal and extraordinarily skilled martial arts sidekick. The role became a cultural milestone, showcasing Lee's breathtaking fighting abilities to American television audiences and helping launch his international stardom before his iconic film career took off.
Did Bruce Lee's Kato overshadow the main hero?
Absolutely — and it was no secret even at the time. Audiences were so captivated by Bruce Lee's explosive martial arts sequences that fan mail poured in for Kato rather than the titular hero. In Hong Kong, the show was actually broadcast under the title 'The Kato Show' in his honor.
When did The Green Hornet first air on television?
The series premiered on September 9, 1966, on the ABC network in the United States. It ran for a single season spanning the 1966–1967 TV year, concluding after 26 episodes. Despite its short run, it left a lasting cultural footprint, largely thanks to Bruce Lee's unforgettable performance.
Is The Green Hornet based on a true story?
Not a true story — The Green Hornet originated as a radio drama created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker in 1936. The character was conceived as a masked vigilante crime-fighter, and the 1966 TV series adapted that long-running radio and comic book legacy for a new generation of viewers.
How many episodes does The Green Hornet have?
The series ran for 26 episodes across its single season. Each episode averaged around 25 minutes in length. Despite the compact run, the show packed in plenty of action, crime-fighting, and the martial arts brilliance of Bruce Lee that fans still revisit decades later.
Where can you watch The Green Hornet TV series?
Streaming availability for The Green Hornet varies by region. For the most current and complete list of platforms where you can stream, rent, or purchase the series, JustWatch is the best resource to check options available in your area.
Did The Green Hornet crossover with Batman?
Yes — one of the most celebrated moments in 1960s television history. The Green Hornet and Kato crossed over into the Batman TV series (also on ABC) in a two-part episode in 1967. The highlight was a playful fight between Batman and Robin versus the Green Hornet and Kato, with Bruce Lee and Burt Ward squaring off memorably.
What genre is The Green Hornet TV series?
The Green Hornet blends action, adventure, crime, and light science fiction elements. It follows the classic masked vigilante formula — a wealthy newspaper publisher secretly fights organized crime alongside his martial arts expert partner — wrapped in the stylish, gadget-filled aesthetic typical of 1960s genre television.
More About The Green Hornet
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