'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)

Tuesday 26 January

By LaDean

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It would be interesting to see what people say about you when you pass on. Maybe they will be kinder to you.

Monday 25 January

By Keri

I remember lying in bed watching Trapper John and and he had a part where he was suppose to had, Polynoropthy (which is where someone has gets really weak, can't do anything for themselves,) it's a scary thing to have because it is something most Dr's never heard of.
Anyway, he mad me realize what it really means.
R.I.P. Mr. Roberts :--+(

By mitchell

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He was one of my heros, stayed with him on Bonanza, he was good in westners, he was always cool , and could always back it up.We will always miss him.

By ignatz

he was a fine southern gentleman from waycross ga. you will be missed pernell. may you rest in peace.

By John

I love that show I still watch it went I can it on TV Land. I used to watch that show went I was a kid me and my dad would watch it together and some John Wayne movies too. Best of time with my dad may they all RIP.

By Rob

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In real life, he was a marxist prick.

By johnmhyde

I love all the Bonanza's characters, Pernell was spotlighted today, I watch it almost every day. So sorry for his family, i loved Adam so much, so handsome and smart.

By Jacqueline

May he rest in peace. I still watch the reruns of Bonanza on the my family cable.

By John Downs

When we were kids in the 60's, us neighborhood kids would act out the Cartwright characters. Usually, I played the part of Adam. With our 6 shooter cap pistols, we were the terror of the neighborhood. RIP Old Friend

By dave

what a shame,it was disney at 7;30 and after that it was bonanza on sunday nites ,our whole family would get on the floor and watch it, and in september every year they used to show the new chevys,we could'nt wait to see the newest corvette,those days are over,it was great!

By Joanne

I am truly saddened to hear of Pernell Roberts' passing. Sunday evenings watching Bonanza before having to go back to school on Monday mornings were truly heaven for me! I loved all of these characters. TV today can't hold a candle to these TV shows, the characters and the stories. Another great one bites the dust!

By matt

Mike,

Adam's character was NOT a biggot and in fact Pernell was as much a Liberal as anyone to ever walk this planet! What a shame that the entire original cast is gone.

By Lisa

Keri, you're an idiot!

By diehaitiansdie

I WANNA DO ANGELINA SO BAD THAT ID DO BRAD JUST TO GET TO HER

By paul

as many mentioned before me..Bonanza represents, to many of us, a time of innocence and family. We would sit as a family,together on Sunday night, and watch Bonanza..The characters on that show were really developed and there was def an affection for them..I still watch it, and am very saddened by his death..

By Di

Ditto Pat and jay! It was the best Sunday night:) Rest in peace Pernell..

By undaar

I thought they were already all dead. Wow. Anymore of them out there? What about Hop Sing?

Normally, I couldn't care less of the actors that pass on. Bonanza, however, was a cast of great humans, from Lorne and Pernell to Michael Landon who was one of the finest humans ever. That said, there is one actor I would like to see pass on very soon. That is the fraud, George Bush, who acted like a lunatic when he was supposed to be serving his country as President. Die soon, you traitor!!!

By smail

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dum da-da dum da-da dum da-da dum............BONANZA!

By Gail E. Cooper

It's always sad to see "classy" performers pass on. May GOD cover you Pernell Roberts and your family. Rest in peace.

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