Pernell Roberts, Adam Cartwright on "Bonanza," dead at 81

Los Angeles Times ^ | January 25, 2010 | Elaine Woo

[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.

[PeaceBeWithYou]

Well, that leaves just one Cartwright and on ranch hand left.

[freekitty]

So they are all gone. RIP

[PeaceBeWithYou]

Well, that leaves just one Cartwright and one ranch hand left.

[mware]

My very favorite was Wagon Train. As a kid I had such a crush on a couple of the characters on that series.

It did lose something after Ward Bond died.

[antidean]

As a kid, I was glued to the show each September to see the new Chevrolets, and of course everyone had a crush on Dinah Shore singing the “ see the USA in your chevrolet” ditty!

[ronnieb]

Yes, they were..I might add “Wagon Train” to that mix. One of my early favorites. It was around before Bonanza. Pernell Roberts was my favorite guy. He was “the Man” on the show.

[Carl LaFong]

Here’s a YouTube tribute posted by a fan for Roberts 80th birthday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZkXI7YJnoU&feature=related

[VicVega]

Sad news.

Just wish they would have gone forward with the Bonanza reunion 10 years ago.

I think Adam riding up to the Ponderosa and yelling for Paw, Hoss, Little Joe and Hop Sing would have been pretty dramatic and funny.

[Kartographer]

I met Clint Walker back in August of 08 at the Kanab Western Legends Round-up. After meeting him I can tell you he didn't have to act hard when playing 'Cheyenne' and true Cowboy and a Christian Gentleman.
Code of the West
by James P. Owen

1. Live each day with courage.
2. Take pride in your work.
3. Always finish what you start.
4. Do what has to be done.
5. Be tough, but fair.
6. When you make a promise, keep it.
7. Ride for the brand.
8. Talk less and say more.
9. Remember that some things aren't for sale.
10. Know where to draw the line.

I often send this in my letters when I send a 'care package' to a Marine overseas, I always add that there aren't many real cowboys these days, but I figure that a Marine is the next best thing!

[Buckeye Battle Cry]

I loved him as Trapper John. I also had a MAJOR high school crush on Nurse Ripples.

RIP Pernell and thanks for the entertainment.

[trumandogz]

Those Cartwright boys did not have too much luck with the ladies.

[vetvetdoug]

I saw Horton and Bond at the Big Star grocery store in Cheyenne in 1958. The westerns of that era were memorable. Don't forget to mention Have Gun Will Travel, Sugarfoot, Wyatt Earp, and Wanted, Dead or Alive. So many to remember..

I don't travel on HW 82 in North Texas a time when I don't remember Dan Blocker (DeKalb, Tx).

[vetvetdoug]

Oh yes, living in Japan from 1959-1963 reminds me of Bonanza. You folks have not lived until you hear the theme song in Japanese and all four of the Cartwrights speaking Japanese. RIP Mr. Roberts. Thanks for the excellent work.

[RGSpincich]

Rifleman

Kevin Joseph Aloysius Connors

[mad_as_he$$]

I have stood on that exact spot many times.

[mware]

I like Robert Fuller too, I think he eventually wound up on Emergency

[RanGreHad]

Contemporary Hollywood hates Westerns because they celebrate the values of self-reliance and individualism. They don’t fit in with the socialist agenda.

[atc23]

The Big Valley

Barbra Stanwyck and Linda Evans - I loved that show too. I really loved the Bonanza final episode - series finale. How sad, Little Joe explained to his new fiance that his brother Hoss was killed trying to save a deer that was stuck on a cliff. Dan Blocker had died during the season filming. They should play the final episode more often.

I'll bet you a million dollars the Ozero has never seen a single epidode of Bonanza!

[navymom1]

Roberts was friends with Hop Sing (Victor Sen Yung). He gave a eulogy at Hop Sings funeral in 1980.
All of them are gone now. Thanks for the memories.
_______________________________

Victor Sen Yung was a wonderful actor. I loved him as Hop Sing but especailly as Jimmy Chan in the Charlie Chan movies. Now that was entertainment: no sex, no cursing, no blood, no political correctness, just good acting and enjoyable scripts.

[Red Boots]

Those Cartwright boys did not have too much luck with the ladies.

And the ladies had even worse luck. They either died, or were written out of the show. Even the lucky few who actually managed to snagg a Cartwright and got married, always died by the end of the show.