Posted on 01/25/2010 2:29:51 PM PST by DukeBillie
Pernell Roberts, an original cast member of one of television's classic westerns, "Bonanza," died at his Malibu home Sunday. He was 81.
His death from cancer was confirmed by his wife, Eleanor Criswell.
Roberts was known to fans as the handsome and smart eldest son of the Cartwright clan, Adam. He played the role from its inception in 1959, but tired of the role after six years and left the show to act in films and resume a stage career that had brought him a 1955 Drama Desk Award for best actor in a production of "Macbeth." In 1979, he returned to series television in the popular "Trapper John, M.D.," playing the title character, Dr. John McIntyre, for the show's entire seven seasons.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimesblogs.latimes.com ...
About five years ago the owner died and some Silicon Valley fat cat bought it. At some point it was to become a county park.
About five years ago the owner died and some Silicon Valley fat cat bought it. At some point it was to become a county park.
Australia!
Thanks for the link...very beautiful and moving tribute to the legend. Loved him on Trapper John as well. They don’t make them like Pernell anymore. RIP Sir...job well done.
The last Cartwright is dead.
I had a kid crush on him :)
Thanks. I remembered Ben getting letters from him. LOL.
Jamie Hunter Cartwright(Mitch Vogel), adopted son is still alive. And Candy the foreman too. ;p
(Even though dad was a Dodge man.)
I was curious about what the excess fiddling with the channel selector (and that rotating ring) was all about, and talk about the "rotor" (a mysterious thing outside controlled by a mysterious thing inside) was downright compelling.
Anyway, I still remember being upset when Pernell Roberts left the show, as he was my favorite Cartwright.
Mr. niteowl77
You just can’t beat Bonanza with the original cast.
(Actually my favorite Western is “The Rifleman”)
You are so right, The Golden Age of Television for many reasons.
Bonanza, High Chaparral, The Big Valley ... and so many more you’ve already listed and more. Something made them real, something made them a fixture in our lives.
Even Ed Sullivan and Lawrence Welk, fixtures in our lives. Westerns were the best, IMHO. Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, Wanted Dead or Alive, Trackdown ... oh I/we could go on.
Some great actors who, for me, made the acting look believable. Unlike some of what is on the ‘Boob Tube’ today.
They are all missed. Every once in a while I go over to one of the online sites and watch the old shows ... for me, still great today.
“Even Ed Sullivan and Lawrence Welk, fixtures in our lives. Westerns were the best, IMHO. Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, Wanted Dead or Alive....”
To me, the best Western was “Gunsmoke” starring James Arness.
Dinah Shore sang:
“See the USA in your Chevrolet. America is asking you to call.”
I can’t recall how old I was. I might have been 8 or 9 (I’m 57.).
Ah...back in the day.
My favorite was always Hoss. Adam always seemed too green for me. Hoss was the gentle giant.
Right, Gunsmoke was there too. Luv’d Kitty and Doc Adams.
For me the westerns were Bonanza, Big Valley, High Chaparral, The Rifleman ... something about families. Something I never had.
Somehow it could be family viewable and not obnoxious, objectionable or dirty.
Can’t really same the same always today.
He had a beautiful singing voice. A good many of the tv and movie westerns can be found at youtube. There are quite a few Bonanzas there and some videos with Pernell singing. I don’t know about later years. but when he was young he was a Baptist and hopefully he stayed true to his faith.His only son passed away a few years back in a motorcyle accident.I would rather watch those old westerns than a lot of the junk they show today.
Actually they didn’t kill Adam off, he was just out of town, I forget where, I just know they didn’t do him in.I think they were trying to let the fans get used to the idea that he was gone gradually.
Sadly, your post answered my question.
They are all gone now.
Yes but things have changed so much now that what was liberal back then is further right than a rino now.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.