Lane was born Morton Donald Isaacson at the Manhattan "Flower Hospital" in New York City to a Jewish father (Jacob) and a Catholic mother (Dolly), who later converted to Judaism.

Morton was raised in The Bronx, where he attended DeWitt Clinton High School and was classmates with Judd Hirsch and Garry Marshall.

After leaving college, Isaacson formed a double act with his best friend Manny Glasser called "Donny and the Duke".

While in the army he formed a double act with fellow soldier Murray Levine, Isaacson usually playing the comic while his partner was the straight man.

After touring the country entertaining the troops as a solo performer, Isaacson started to work his act in the New York nightclubs.

During his stint in Las Vegas, he worked alongside Wayne Newton and was often a supporting act for performers such as Sammy Davis Jr.

Due to the lucrative offer The Dunes Nightclub made to him, he quickly relocated to Honolulu, where he first started to enjoy success as a headline performer.

They took full advantage of the new technology and the duet included the performers throwing jugs of water and Kennedy holding up a sign saying "Go Home Yank", to which Lane laughed.

When Lane's Tonight Show ended in 1969 he returned to the United States and the Las Vegas showrooms, this time appearing as a headline act.

The concert was held at the Sydney Opera House and Lane sang and performed a sketch with Toni Lamond.

Lane described the on-screen chemistry during an interview in 2003: We were magic from the time he walked out from the curtain …you don't try to explain those things.

[8] The Don Lane Show featured big musical numbers, notable guests and comedy sketches.

Also featured was the 18-piece "Don Lane Orchestra" conducted by musical director Graeme Lyall and announcer Pete Smith.

The show went live-to-air twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays, usually running for ninety minutes from 9:30 to 11.00 pm, although, depending on the length of interviews and "the wheel" segment, it could finish much later.

On one occasion, it ran two hours over time while Sammy Davis Jr. was escorted by a police car from his concert to the studio in a surprise for Lane.

The show broke down Australia's "distance barriers" and used innovative technology to conduct satellite interviews with prominent entertainers overseas.

Among the live performances and interviews were ABBA, Adam Ant, David Bowie, Bucks Fizz, Chubby Checker, Dr Hook, Duran Duran, Sheena Easton, John Farnham, Aretha Franklin, Hall & Oates, Colleen Hewett, Whitney Houston, Elton John, Kiss, Jerry Lee Lewis, John Mellencamp, Olivia Newton-John, Roy Orbison, Robert Palmer, Tom Petty, the Pointer Sisters, Cliff Richard, Lionel Richie, Demis Roussos, Leo Sayer, Boz Scaggs, Del Shannon, Tina Turner, the Village People, Tom Waits, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, and John Paul Young.

[9] Although The Don Lane Show featured major acts from around the world, it was also known for helping young local entertainers to establish themselves.

[10] Uri Geller, Doris Stokes and broadcaster Kevin Arnett regularly appeared on The Don Lane Show discussing psychic and paranormal themes.

After Randi criticised one of the show's regulars, a heated exchange occurred at the end of the interview, which led to Lane saying, "we're going for a commercial break and you can piss off.

His final episode ran for two and a half hours and featured such stars as Billy Connolly, Phyllis Diller and David Bowie as well as musical appearances by John Farnham and Colleen Hewett.

After tributes from Bert Newton and many guests, Lane ended his final show with an emotional performance of Peter Allen's "Once Before I Go".

Lane's passion for American football and basketball found a home on the ABC, where he continued to win fans and a new audience for the sports he loved.

ABC sports boss David Salter was interested in televising NFL games from the United States with a host who could transcend both American football and rugby league.

Because of his Las Vegas nightclub background, Lane would work in clubs and theatres throughout Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast.

Lane then worked in clubs all over Sydney when his show was not in season, perfecting his act and carrying on from his early nightclub experience.

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford of radio 2UE described Lane's club act: Don was a terrific television personality.

[17] His son moved to the United States and then to Europe to further his basketball career, although he later became an entertainer in his own right using the name PJ Lane.

The Logie Awards were made in each state separately during the 1960s and early 1970s, since it was technically difficult to broadcast live programming interstate.

[20] A private Jewish funeral ceremony and burial attended by close family and friends was held at Macquarie Park Cemetery and Crematorium a day after his death.