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One of the most loved characters from the show was Hop Sing played by Chinese-American actor Victor Sen Yung. Thats really interesting. 6 Does Little Joe get married on Bonanza? Bonanza ran for 14 crowd-pleasing seasons between the years 1959 and 1973. music: Ennio Morricone - Guns Don't ArgueBonanza Star: Pernell Roberts@RikazPonderosy Which was NOT one of Ben's . Dont forget Dustys Trail! Though Ill give Reed that Schwarz was probably the worst writer in Hollywood between Ed Wood and Tyler Perry. Wouldnt the Cartwright sons be young kids then? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Little Joe got married in an episode called Forever, which aired Sept. 12, 1972. Roberts was an exceptional actor loved by his colleagues and on-screen fans during his six years on "Bonanza." He brought the Adam Cartwright character to life, and many applauded his dedication to work. Joe rose and made room for his other brother . She died right after Adam was born (during childbirth) and Ben went westward with Adam. TimesMojo is a social question-and-answer website where you can get all the answers to your questions. Bonanzas 14 seasons and 440 episodes made it the second-longest-running western in broadcast history, after Gunsmoke. The real Ponderosa Ranch, a sprawling 24-acre property in Nevada, looks a little different today. Hes remembered as an actor who managed to take advantage of every opportunity that came his way. January 27, 2023, 6:25 pm, Trending The young star rose to fame on the series and went on to take the lead in Little House on the Prairie, making television history. He eventually got used to TV acting enough to join Trapper John, M.D., the spinoff to M*A*S*H. There, he played the title character. It turns out to be someone who has sailed with Adam. The Ponderosa was the fictional setting for Bonanza. I'll still be watching over you, I promise." Joe nodded; his throat closed with tears. It's a site that collects all the most frequently asked questions and answers, so you don't have to spend hours on searching anywhere else. The middle child of the Cartwright family named Eric. There was an inside joke on one show, in that Hoss was practicing Shakespeare for a show in Virginia City that went something like: Hoss: I gotta practice my lines. By the end of the show he was a widower. He appeared on the cover of TV Guide a total of 22 times behind only Lucille Ball! To be or not to be Adam Cartwright (Character) from Bonanza (1959) Pioneers of Television. In any other case, this would be a big source of pride. To this day, the Canadian actor is remembered as one of the great icons of American television. While recovering, he developed pneumonia, at times . While this may be commonplace today, it was incredibly unusual for the time. Historically, Virginia City dates from 1859. The last season of the . On May 13, 1972 he sadly passed away from a pulmonary embolism a result of his surgery. And while Bonanza was fictional, the ranch was not. Do you think that the show will continue to be popular in years to come? The young couple started their life together and began to dream of going West, of "tall sons and tall trees". Rock stars are infamous for their insatiable appetites for all things in excess. However, his daughter felt that he had actually died due to complications from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy a disease he must have sustained from his football days. Ben, seeing the person from behind, exclaims, Adam!. He died with his wife and three children by his side. What happened to Adam on the show Bonanza? His cause of death wasnt revealed until the 1988 made-for-television movie, Bonanza: The Next Generation, which didnt star any of the original cast members. Bonanza ran from 1959 to 1974, and told stories of the Cartwright Family. He even also attended Georgia Tech and the University of Maryland, though he didnt graduate from either one. On ratings site Ranker, Bonanzas top-episode list is dominated by classic season 1 favourites. "Everybody was just trying to force good humor, because here we were, back in the same place again. Michael Landon, who won fame as Little Joe Cartwright in the television series Bonanza and who enhanced his celebrity as a creator, writer and director of other television hits, died yesterday at his ranch in Malibu, Calif. He also took issue with NBC hiring white individuals to play people of color; the network actually acknowledged his pressures. He was 81. He passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2010. He appears in plays like a 1973 production of Gone With The Wind alongside actress Lesley Ann Warren. But Roberts did not just help others on-screen. "Bonanza" was a color television trailblazer. EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Limited Or Anthology Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie. . He actually also participated in big activist movements, including the 1965 marches from Selma to Montgomery. "He felt time was rushing by," Lorne Greene, who played his on-screen father Ben Cartwright, told People magazine in 1980. He was also unhappy with how the shows characters were portrayed and changed over the years. The show launched Michael Landon to stardom. Adam was the son of Bens New England wife, so I guess the sea was in his blood. Lets look back at the main members of the Bonanza cast who have left us and their incredible lives and careers. Plus, Roberts was no fan of having non-Native American actors play Native Americans on the TV show. He was 81. The family of four consists of Ben Cartwright (The head of the Cartwright family), Adam Cartwright (the first son), Eric "Hoss" Cartwright, and Joseph "Little Joe" Cartwright (the last son). Before we tell you more about how each Bonanza cast member died, please like this video and subscribe to our channel for more current news and interesting stories. Bonanza would make its debut in 1959 on NBC and become the second-longest-running western series in TV history. Bonanza chose to kill off his character following his death, marking the first time a television show killed off a major young male character. He was 38. Australia I think was mentioned once. Ben killed the man was forced to flee west to Nevada. 1 Year-Later She Realizes Her Huge Mistake, Bebe Buell Reveals Everything About Her Rock Star Romances, The Real Reason Peter Lawford Got Kicked Out of the Rat Pack, Pam Dawber is Unrecognizable Today (Try Not to Gasp), Why Jan Smithers DISAPPEARED After WKRP in Cincinnati, Celebrities Who Died Due to Medical Malpractice, The ONE Time Dolly Parton Got Naked in Public, Rare Photos of Lynda Carter Not Suitable for All Ages, The Tragic Death of Robert Urich & His Wife, The Tragic Life and Demise of Angie Dickinson, How Each Gilligans Island Cast Member Died. Many fans believe that the characters absence during the shows final season led to its demise but why was he MIA in the first place? He visits Virginia City, Nevada to end a drought. Bonanza ran for fourteen seasons before going off the air, and it remains hugely popular to this day. March 29, 2021, 4:49 am, Way back in 1980, Dolly Parton sat down with Chet Flippo of Rolling Stone magazine for what she thought was just going to be a typical interview. Sadly, Elizabeth died shortly after delivering her son, but . Roberts, just three years earlier in 1986, had wrapped up a seven-season run on "Trapper John, M.D." on CBS. That job was very unpleasant, and I never regretted leaving. There were also reports that claimed Roberts didnt get along well with his fellow cast members, including Michael Landon. All three wives were not around long enough to see their children grow up: Elizabeth died in childbirth, Inger was shot by an Indian with an arrow when Hoss was only. Which brings me to one of my favorite minirants. They got a really good mail response; they brought me on for, like, five more shows. I feel I am an aristocrat in my field of endeavor, Roberts reportedly stated. For instance, Roberts wanted Native American actors to play those roles instead of having white actors put on makeup to look like them. The script was written by Michael Landon for Dan Blockers Hoss, but Blocker died months earlier and Landons Little Joe got hitched instead. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Heres how it all goes down. He ultimately passed away after a postoperative pulmonary embolism. The God-fearing, Bible-quoting, and logically-minded gentleman built up his dreams on his ranch, the Ponderosa, with three wives behind and his future with his boys before him. Sure. Speaking of Roberts, he stayed on the Ponderosa until 1965. Bonanza first hit TV screens on NBC in 1959 and would last until 1973. and episodes about slavery and the KKK. And my favorite bunch of castaways in Its About Time. It was the last full-time TV series role Roberts would take in his career. "Bonanza" first hit TV screens on NBC in 1959 and would last until 1973. Sam Wyly and his brother Charles Wyly bought the small Bonanza restaurant chain three years later. I read an interview with him back when TRAPPER JOHN was on and had replenished his coffers to a degree and hes one of the few actors ever to admit regret on letting his political convictions and conscience get the better of him. The script was written by Michael Landon for Dan Blockers Hoss, but Blocker died months earlier and Landons Little Joe got hitched instead. January 27, 2023, 7:23 pm, by Distractify is a registered trademark. Benjamin Cartwright, the patriarch of the Ponderosa Ranch, was descended from Lemuel Gulliver, through Gulliver's daughter, which makes him a member in good standing of the Wold Newton family Lemuel Gulliver was a great uncle to George Gordon, Lord Byron. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Hoss Cartwright was played by Dan Blocker, a physically imposing but sweet-tempered man, while Michael Landon played hotheaded Little Joe, the youngest Cartwright. The two eventually marry and are expecting a baby. His rider is the youngest Cartwright in the bunch. The western drama was set on the Ponderosa Ranch, near Virginia City, Nevada, and tales of Ben (Lorne Greene) and his three sons -- Adam (Pernell Roberts), Hoss (Dan Blocker), and Little Joe (Michael Landon) -- entertained Americans for over a decade. What more could you ask for? Adam even started building a house for them. Where does the show take place? drowning. Facts Verse The producers also introduced a replacement, Will Cartwright (Guy Williams), nephew of Ben and cousin of Adam, Hoss and Joe. How did Adam on Bonanza die? Buck taught mentally and physically challenged children to ride until his passing in 1992 at the age of 45, an unusually long life for a horse. What was Ben Cartwrights horses name on Bonanza? "The first day we went back to work was just incredible, it was so bad," he shared. Here's how it all goes down. Jan. 25, 2010. Nov 27, 2022 | Alissa Laderer Castleton. Bonanza premiered on television in 1959. It was also the one that he loved the most. Nevertheless, audiences loved his performance as Adam Cartwright. 6. Lorne Greene actually bought Buck (whose real name was Dunny Waggoner) when the Gunsmoke series ended. Did Pernell Roberts regret leaving Bonanza? Through the character, he showed that he could blend comedy and emotion in a way that few actors could. Pernell Elven Roberts Jr. (May 18, 1928 - January 24, 2010) was an American stage, film, and television actor, activist, and singer. Dan would later receive a Masters degree in Dramatic Arts Sul Ross State Teachers College where he also played football. The park closed in 2004. The two eventually marry and are expecting a baby. He was a stout activist for civil rights in the 1960s, taking part in the Selma to Montgomery, Ala. marches in 1965. Greene died at Saint John's Hospital, where he underwent abdominal surgery Aug. 19 for a perforated ulcer. Television: The First Fifty Years (1999) (V) Played by Pernell Roberts. The first Bonanza opened in Westport, Connecticut. But on the television show, the television version of Charles Ingalls horseback much more often, and it was actually Michael Landon riding the horse, not a stunt double. He would eventually tag along for different appearances at events around the country. Roberts played Ben Cartwright's urbane eldest son Adam, in the Western television series Bonanza. Sounds like a similar thing. Roberts died on Jan. 24, 2010, of pancreatic cancer at his home in Malibu, Calif., according to an article from The New York Times. He loved playing Ben Cartwright and happy to recognized as the patriarch of the Old Wests most lovable family. "Bonanza" was a hit TV show that premiered in the year 1959 and ran for over 14 years. However, many audience members didnt realize that. So Pernell Roberts did one more season of Bonanza and Guy Williams wound up with Lost in Space. Could Michael Landon really ride a horse? During the recovery process, he unfortunately developed pneumonia and became dependent on an oxygen tank. The actor died in 2010 at age 81 from pancreatic cancer. To this day, generations old and new continue to entertained by the Bonanza cast. Roberts, who played Adam Cartwright in Bonanza for 202 episodes from 1959 until 1965, thought himself capable of far greater things, and left the television horse opera at the height of his, and the show's, popularity. 62 What horse was ridden by Marshall Matt Dillon? He was 81. His most notable work after Bonanza ended was in the soap opera All My Children. "We try to mention Hoss' death very simply, in passing it might not please everybody," he confessed. Abruptly, Laura discovered she was actually in love with Will, and the two of them rode off, never to be mentioned again. The marriage storyline, according to Heldenfels, was originally lined up for Dan Blocker, who played Hoss Cartwright on the popular NBC western. Pernell felt that Bonanza wasn't as mature a show as he would have wished. Facts Verse Your email address will not be published. In 1991, he diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The colour does not breed true. A studied contrast to the characters of Hoss and Little Joe, who were portrayed as being more boisterous and outgoing, Roberts Adam was measured, dignified, and always ready to take stock of both sides of a debate before making a decision. The head of the household was Ben Cartwright who had three sons: Adam, Eric aka Hoss, and Little Joe. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Who was Adam Cartwright's mother in Bonanza? Did you grow up watching the great American Western show Bonanza? Each of Ben Cartwright's sons came from each of his three deceased wives. Pernell Roberts, the outspoken actor who played Adam Cartwright, the thoughtful eldest son on television's seminal western series "Bonanza" and who was the last surviving . Roberts died on Jan. 24, 2010, of pancreatic cancer at his home in Malibu, Calif., according to an article from The New York Times. Hassan The park closed in 2004. Answer: Adam was the oldest. If its going to upset you that I poke a little fun at Bonanza, please do not continue to the story. True or false: "Bonanza" was in black and white when it first premiered. As much as viewers loved Roberts on Bonanza, however, the star himself was reportedly less invested in the show and in fact, some claims have emerged that state Roberts hated his role. CIMARRON CITY'S #DanBlocker also guest stars on today's THE RESTLESS GUN w/ #JohnPayne. That was a practice that was used on many TV westerns at that time. He sang in his church choir and acted in plays for his church and school. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Cochise: a Paint horse with black and white markings all over. Jamie Hunter was the son of a rainmaker, who traveled to shows around the southwestern United States selling his wares. "Bonanza" was a show about the lives of a fictional family, the Cartwrights, and their . He had developed fame in his work prior to Bonanza. During the 20 years following the Comstock success about $400 million was taken out of the ground[2]. No. Bonanza's 14 seasons and 440 episodes made it the second-longest-running western in broadcast history, after Gunsmoke. That aforementioned uncertainty actually irked Pernell Roberts. In the late 1950s, he moved to Los Angeles to find work as an actor. if the cash customers are forking over the cash, youre doing your job just fine. Adam disappeared into parts unknown six years into the series, when Roberts decided to leave the show. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It was clear that without Hoss, there was no desire to watch the show. Facts Verse The Bonanza property is far from the only TV show location to rake in millions. What happened to Matt Dillons horse buck? Some theorists even [] More, Are you a fan of sitcom My Three Sons? What did Ben Cartwright do for a living on Bonanza? While Bonanza was still on TV, Dan Blocker (Hoss) died of a pulmonary embolism. After his work on Bonanza, he also starred in two other television shows that would later become classics. And while Williams sadly is no longer with us, Pam Dawber is still alive and well. I thought Adam was attending college in England. Dan Blocker was born in the small town of De Kalb in West Texas. What year did "Bonanza" premiere? He also took a few issues with the character feeling that the oldest son of the Cartwright family shouldnt always defer to his father for advice. Another issue that ticked him off was not using people of color to play roles on the show. No one cared about continuity then. That explains Schwartzs miserable commercial failures like Gilligans Island and The Brady Bunch. Then, his big break came when he was cast as Hoss Cartwright in Bonanza. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. 4 Why did Adam Cartwright always wear black? The eldest son in the Cartwright family was Adam, played by Pernell Roberts. 2022 - 2023 Times Mojo - All Rights Reserved But on set, he could only play one character, Adam, and as for costume changes? And while Bonanza was fictional, the ranch was not. We tried to do what we thought he would have wanted us to do. Bonanza first hit the air in 1959, a few years after Gunsmoke first established its legs among Western shows. Beside this, How did Little Joe die on Bonanza? Pernell Roberts as Adam Cartwright: Roberts portrayed Adam, Ben Cartwright's first son, the most responsible of the Cartwright Brothers . These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The reaction to Alices death is seen as a way for the cast to come to grips with Blockers passing, and there are some intensely emotional moments, he writes. In Season 14, the writers attempted to fill the hole left by Dan's death with a new character named Griff King, a parolee looking to reform his life on the Ponderosa Ranch, and the return of cowboy Candy Canaday, but the loss of Hoss caused Bonanza 's ratings to plummet. The series made Roberts a bona fide TV star, while the program itself became the second longest-running TV western (after "Gunsmoke") and first to be filmed . "I'm sure that some people would rather have a whole hour memorial to Dan, but we just couldn't do that. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. But the actor played other roles in his career. July 2, 2021, 6:38 am, by I believe Ben once mentioned needing to write to him, and there was some reference to his traveling the planet. "It was perhaps not surprising that, despite enormous success, he left Bonanza after the 1964-65 season, criticizing the show's simple-minded content and lack of minority actors". Cast members over the series 14-season run also would include Pernell Roberts as Adam Cartwright, David Canary, Tim Matheson, and Mitch Vogel. In a fit of irony, Roberts's Adam character had originally been slated to leave with a new wife and daughter; when the actor decided to stay, the producer ushered out Guy Williams by having the woman fall in love with his character instead . Subsequently, the writers also had to make the tough . While he was getting regular work, he hadnt yet been able to match the success in film and television that he had on Canadian radio. Why did Adam Cartwright always wear black? Roberts played Adam from 1959 until leaving the . This was at the beginning of the 14th season of Bonanza., At the end of the first of two episodes, she told Joe she was pregnant, Heldenfels writes. As a character, Adam possessed architectural savvy, which he enriched with a university education. These horses carried your fave #Western stars, including @JohnDukeWayne, #DanBlocker and more! Facts Verse According to writers, Will Cartwright was introduced specifically to give Roberts an opportunity to leave the show, which he seemed very intent to do. Pernell Roberts, the outspoken actor who played Adam Cartwright, the thoughtful eldest son on television's seminal western series "Bonanza" and who was the last surviving member of the show's original family, died Sunday at his home in Malibu, Calif. I told Lorne I was quitting the show and he told me I was insane. Flippo asked Parton about what the most outrageous thing shed [] More, Robert Urich was known throughout the world as a tough guy. How was "Adam" Pernall Roberts (RIP) written out of Bonanza. But such is the magic of television, that theyll continue to entertain us for generations to come. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. Henry Comstock) in the first season, it was a thousand-square mile (640,000 acre or 2,600 km2) ranch on the shores of Lake Tahoe, nestled high in the Sierra Nevada, with a large ranch house in the center of it. He rode several different horses throughout the rest of the series run. Why did Adam Cartwright always wear black? Hoss Cartwrights (Dan Blocker) horse was named chub. Henry Comstock) in the first season, it was a thousand-square mile (640,000 acre or 2,600 km2) ranch on the shores of Lake Tahoe, nestled high in the Sierra Nevada, with a large ranch house in the center of it. Which Teeth Are Normally Considered Anodontia. The story follows the adventures of Ben Cartwright (Lorne Greene) and his sons . Summary: Answering the burning question, Why did Joe suddenly start wearing those black gloves? This is a parody of the hurt/comfort genre. I guess continuity really didnt matter back then. For many television viewers, Michael Landon was the shining star of Bonanza. Whats The Difference Between Dutch And French Braids? It was a colorful show. But his early life didnt show any promise of becoming an iconic actor. [1] Famed madame Julia Bulette was one of the notable residents. Adam Cartwright was the oldest, possessed of a measured, calm temperament. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Roberts became very popular in the series and was the subject of many fascinating storylines in the earliest seasons. 2.2k Views. Pernell Roberts, Star of TVs Bonanza, Dies at 81. Heldenfels writes that the episode was rewritten to mention Hoss death and to have Joe as the marrying man.. There's very little information available about the accident itself. Apparently, the sudden death was not that sudden after all as he had already shown signs of illness before. Which was NOT one of Ben's wives? The producers also introduced a replacement, Will Cartwright (Guy Williams), nephew of Ben and cousin of Adam, Hoss and Joe. Played by Dan Blocker, Hoss was known for having a heart of gold. Dan Blocker is one of the true television immortals, having played Hoss Cartwright -- the heart and soul of Bonanza (1959) -- for 13 seasons, before his untimely death in 1972 at the age of 43. His last episode on Bonanza that Roberts appeared inDead and Goneon April 4, 1965. The actor who played Adam Cartwright left the show but the door was left open, so to speak, for him to return if he ever changed his mind. Let's look back at why Roberts quit Bonanza . According to IMDb, Pernell Roberts was born in Georgia in 1928. All throughout the sixties and into the early seventies, Blocker continued to play the character on Bonanza until, sadly, tragedy cut his time on the show short. But Roberts wasnt pleased withBonanzaand its shows writers. According to a 2015 article from the Visalia Times Delta, writer Rich Heldenfels says Little Joe, played by Michael Landon, married Alice Harper, played by guest star Bonnie Bedalia. Episode dated 18 April 2008 (2008) TV episode, Played by Pernell Roberts. Producers made the difficult decision to kill off Hoss after determining that no one else could possibly step into the role. On a trip to New Orleans, Ben met and married his third wife, Marie DeMarigny. Adam's mother, Elizabeth Stoddard. Roberts would go on from Bonanza and appear in other TV shows as well as stage plays. He looked at Bonanza and felt it wasn't living up to its fullest potential. Many of the shows funniest and most heartwarming moments include scenes with Hoss! Back to Bonanza for a minute. Pernell was primarily a stage actor and had difficulty playing a cowboy. The Bonanza was primarily about the Cartwrights. I remember an episode, maybe the season after Roberts left, where Ben comes home & finds someone in seagoing garb in the house. Cast members said they knew the series wouldn't survive without the . What happened to Adam Cartwright on Bonanza? But once he was cast as the cowboy Candy Canaday in Bonanza he became a household name. Due to Blockers imposing size and stature, he was most often cast as the villain, or as a lovable sidekick. Michael Landon had played Ben Cartwrights youngest son Little Joe. Unfortunately, the actor died at the age of 43. One of the shows mainstays was Dan Blocker, who was considered by many to be Bonanzas most lovable character. He also had a supporting role in the classic crime film The Saint Valentines Day Massacre. Roberts, who played Adam Cartwright in Bonanza for 202 episodes from 1959 until 1965, thought himself capable of far greater things, and left the television horse opera at the height of his, and the shows, popularity. If Bonanza taught us anything, it was always, ALWAYS, listen to Ben Cartwright! There were a few throwaway lines about his departure from the Ponderosa. One of the best aspects of Bonanza, is that it was one of the first American shows to give acting opportunities to minority actors. 1 What happened to Adam Cartwright on Bonanza? In April of 72, just before shooting for the new fall season was to commence, Dan fell ill and went into the hospital for gall bladder surgery. Despite his grumblings about the show, Bonanza fans still enjoy Pernell Roberts character all these decades later. February 19, 2023, 6:17 am, by I dont have the psychological stamina to last under artistic compromises over a prolonged period of time. According to the 9th episode (Mr. and after two years in service, he enrolled in college, where he focused on classical theater. Here's what I found: Ben Cartwright first met and married Adam's mother, Elizabeth Stoddard. In the 1950s, he emigrated to the United States and began working in Hollywood. 1, closely followed by Blood on the Land and Stranger in second and third place. They are like best friends. He continued to act in notable television shows and occasional films for the remainder of his career. For that, we are truly in debt to their incredible talents. He was 81. The middle son of ranch owner Ben Cartwright was seen as a gentle giant, and though his size was imposing (he weighed over 300 pounds), both Hoss and the actor who played him, Dan Blocker, had hearts of gold. March 28, 2021, 6:21 am, by Ben Cartwright played by Lorne Greene. Bonanza itself would never find its rating success again and NBC canceled the show in 1973. He ultimately passed away after a postoperative pulmonary embolism. But she ended up spilling the beans on one of the most embarrassing chapters of her life instead. Chris Roberts, who was Roberts' son from his first marriage to Vera Mowry, died in a motorcycle accident in 1989. Marie brought a woman's touch to her new family and the boys had a mother again. Pernell Roberts, the outspoken actor who played Adam Cartwright, the thoughtful eldest son on televisions seminal western series Bonanza and who was the last surviving member of the shows original family, died Sunday at his home in Malibu, Calif. From a young age he grew to over 6 feet and weighed over 200 pounds before he hit his teens. But he did return to play Trapper John McIntyre in CBSs Trapper John, M.D. from 1979-86. Sadly, Blocker died from blood clots after complications of gall-bladder surgery in May 1972. Pernell then headed for Hollywood and found minor roles in films before landing the pivotal role of Ben Cartwright's oldest and best-educated son Adam in the Bonanza (1959) series in 1959. He was 72. He went on to act in several other high-profile projects, including Trapper John, M.D., a spinoff of the TV show M*A*S*H. Still, Roberts remains best known for his work in Bonanza, the series which he reportedly didnt like very much. Roberts disliked the treatment of Adam, a grown man kept under the thumb of his father (Lorne Green), and felt constricted by the lack of range in his character.