'Bonanza' Star Pernell Roberts Dies at 81

By PopEater Staff Posted Jan 25th 2010 05:43PM

Veteran actor Pernell Roberts of 'Bonanza' died at his Malibu home Sunday. His wife Eleanor Criswell told the Los Angeles Times that Roberts lost his battle with cancer. He was 81.

Roberts shot to fame in the role of Adam Cartwright on the long-running western, though he left the show to pursue a film career after six seasons - an arguably premature move that Entertainment Weekly recently counted among the 50 worst TV blunders of all time. After 15 years out of the limelight, Roberts took on the starring role of 'Trapper John, MD,' for all seven seasons of its run.

Roberts appeared in guest roles and documentaries in the 1980s. The actor retired from show business in the late '90s.

Comments

(233)

Monday 25 January

By Blaiser

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It's a shame. He joins his fellow actors from the show. Rest in peace.

By Christy

I agree what a great show! Rest in Peace...

Tuesday 26 January

By Leona Bolash

What a loss. Pernell Roberts did what he thought was right. He was active in civil rigts and an activist for women. Bless Eleanor Criswell Roberts, his wife, who took such good care of him. I was fortunate enough to meet her. Bless both Pernell and Eleanor.

Leona Bolash, Naples, FL

By Dumbasdon

From Adam Cartwright to Trapper John MD, Pernell Roberts was a TRULY GREAT Actor and well loved by Everyone he ever worked with. This Man was a " Class Act" all the way and shall be missed by all the world. He died beloved by millions of people, What more could any man ask for? I will miss him.

By Jennifer

I am totally saddened by Pernell Robert's death. I did not know he had cancer. Even though he left Bonanza six years into the show's 14 year run, he was terrific as Adam Cartwright.

Now he will be with his fellow Bonanza costars Michael Landon, Dan Blocker and Lorne Greene in heaven. RIP,Pernell!

By gd

Is the actor who played Hop-Sing still alive? He was part of the family too, Ben said so.

By Stephen

Hop Sing is also one who has passed on, in 1980 the actors name was Victor Sen Yung. He played the number 2 son of Charlie Chan too.

By Charlie Goose

Don't forget about Candy Canaday. However, the actor David Canary is still alive.

By Pat102

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Heaven is a Bonanza today.

By Jay

Sad,
to see the people of my youth pass on. I actually watched Bonanza this afternoon, and Adam was in the episode. I remember watching the show every Sunday night. Chevrolet was the sponsor. I tell ya right now, it was a much better time in America!

By Matt

I so agree Jay, they sure were better times then.

By Karen

I SO agree with you!

By fourchette

I couldn't agree more. The funny thing is that I was just thinking of him the other day. I don't know if all of them together in the afterlife is such a good thing; I understand he didn't really bond with the rest of the cast.
Hey, remember when Guy Williams was supposed to replace him?

By Fromthom

Amen to that Jay. The stars of Bonanza represented what we as a country believed in back then. Some of us still do.

By JimKF

It was certainly a better time on TV. Forty years ago we had 3 networks and no cable, but there was always something good to watch on any given night. Today you have 150 channels and 130 of them you'll never watch.

Bonanza was one of the best back then. Pernell Roberts was excellent in the six seasons he was there. Now they're all gone, but they live forever in reruns.

By Fishnlwayr

"I tell ya right now, it was a much better time in America!"

Sure was...I was 50 years younger...had someone going to work everyday and bringing home a 6 pack of Pepsi's every Friday night...bought all of my clothes and drove me anywhere I needed to go.

By raspberrieso

I agree Jay. A slower, kinder, gentler time where families gathered to watch decent family television like Bonanza. Sad news.

By Idiots All

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Oh yes...I too long for the era of politiacal assasiantions, Jim Crow, and the Cold war's constant threat of nuclear annhialation...morons.

By Jenn

I agree with you Jay, those were much better times in America and it was always on every Sunday, your right, Chevy was the sponsor. I use to sneak up after my dad put us to bed, as it was a school night, no one up after 8:00 that was when it was on. I use to hide behind the couch and watch half of it and then I would get caught, put on restriction and do dishes for a lifetime seemed like.

By Mary

So sad to read of the passing of Pernell Roberts (Adam), now he has joined Ben, Hoss and Little Joe...rest in peace. I love to watch the re-runs of Bonanza, never get tired of it. I do miss watching all the westerns of years gone by.

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