Bonanza: The Story Behind The Cartwrights

Canadian Lorne Greene played Ben Cartwright, the patriarch of the clan. Generally serious and reasonable, Ben kept the ranch running. Thrice widowed, he raised his three boys on his own, with a little help from the cook, Hop Sing. There were no women on the Ponderosa. Before starring on Bonanza (just one of the classic TV Westerns of the 1950s and 1960s), Greene was best known as a reporter and was the Canadian Broadcasting Company's main announcer, during World War Two. His deep, booming voice, coupled with the gloomy news, earned him the nickname, "The Voice Of Doom". After Bonanza was off the air, he continued to work in television, starring in Battlestar Galactica, Lorne Greene's New Wilderness, and was the sponsor for Alpo commercials, and guest-starred on the Highway To Heaven episode,"The Smile In The Third Row", with Michael Landon, his TV son, and in his own rights, as well. In 1987, we lost our most beloved "Pa". Click "Next" to read about the oldest Cartwright son. Pernell Roberts portrayed the oldest Cartwright son. Adam had a University education, and tended to be less likely involved in wild antics or passionate love affairs, though he had his share of interesting scrapes over the years. Adam disappeared into parts unknown six years into the series, when Roberts decided to leave the show. Pernell's departure from the series prompted Johnny Carson to make a standing joke of him, but the two had opposite views on issues. To say the least, Carson was known to be mean-spirited to those who didn't lean towards him. David Dortort didn't "insist on a marriage" for Adam and wanted for Pernell to continue as a semi-regular, but there were more people involved and it was complicated. In the end, Pernell was fired by NBC and was lucky he wasn't blacklisted and sued, as legal action followed in the ensuing chaos. Dortort stated he was "too hard on Pernell and didn't appreciate him." In the aftermath, Pernell worked on stage and appeared as King Arthur in 'Camelot'. He also appeared in several prestigious regional theaters, toured with Ingrid Bergman, stock companies and was a frequent guest star in television series. In the way of awards, he won a Drama Desk Award in 1955 for his performance in an off-Broadway rendition of 'Macbeth.' He was also nominated for an award at the Ivanhoe Theatre. Pernell Roberts portraying King Arthur via Big Hollywood Dynamite In 1979, CBS signed him in the lead role in 'Trapper John: M.D.' and came back in the limelight as a regular in television and was professionally recognized as an actor. The series was made through 1986 for a total of seven years. Today, it's still seen in reruns around the world. In the early 90's, he hosted and narrated 'FBI: The Untold Stories' during its short-lived run. Pernell also narrated a TV documentary in 1995 that was entitled 'The Mountain Men' and was a guest star in 'Diagnosis Murder.' He also sponsored an Indian scholarship fund with his 'Bonanza' co-star Lorne Greene in the 70's and 80's. Dan Blocker and Pernell via Pinterest In 1999, Pernell married Eleanor Criswell and it was his fourth and final marriage. They met in Novato, California and he spent lots of his time living there and still resided in his Malibu home. In 2007, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was able to get surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments to prolong his life. The sad news came on January 24, 2010 when he succumbed to it. Eleanor was at his bedside when he died. Fans around the world mourned the tragic loss of the last surviving actor in 'Bonanza's' original cast. He was 81. Pernell was best remembered as Adam Cartwright and the last surviving member of the original cast. He lived long enough to witness the resurgence and renewed interest in Bonanza around the world. This included the wonders of the world wide web and successful conventions held in Los Angeles and Lake Tahoe, where hundreds of fans attended. Those who admired and loved Pernell can take solace that in his final years, he was able to look back with fondness when he saw photographs and films from his Bonanza days. Pernell would smile when remembering his departed colleagues and acknowledge and appreciate the huge amount of admirers who were deeply touched by his performance and sense of morality. How about Hoss Cartwright? Click "Next" to read more. Dan Blocker was Hoss Cartwright, the middle son. Hoss was gullible and not terribly bright, but he was sweet and gentle, as he was huge. He was constantly involved in hilarious situations, usually innocently, and was the butt of many jokes played on him by his youngest brother, Little Joe. Blocker, however, had little in common with Hoss. He was a friendly man, but hardly dull. He held a Master's degree, and worked as a teacher before he got involved in acting. He had worked in Westerns before Bonanza and was well cast as Hoss. Sadly, Dan Blocker died suddenly at the age of 43, from a lung clot, in May of 1972. Bonanza could not go on without "The Gentle Giant". Dan's favorite episodes were "Feet Of Clay", "Any Friend Of Walter's", "Walter and the Outlaws", "Hoss and the Leprechauns", and "The Wish". He loved working on the two shows with Walter the dog and thought Arthur Hunnicutt was fantastic. Click "Next" to read about Michael Landon. MICHAEL LANDON Eugene Maurice Orowitz was born on October 31, 1936, in Forest Hills, New York. He was the second child of Eli Orowitz and Kathleen O' Neill. Their first child was Evelyn, who was born in 1933. His father was Jewish and his mother Irish Catholic. His mother was a popular comedienne and showgirl who worked in Broadway and changed her first name to Peggy. His father was a studio publicist and theater manager. In 1941, the Orowitz family moved to Collingswood, in Southern New Jersey. When Eugene was going to Collingswood High, he participated and excelled in track and field, especially throwing the javelin, thus earning himself a scholarship to USC in Los Angeles. He graduated in 1954, and in the class of 301, he was the 299th student, but with a genius IQ of 159. His record javelin throw of just over 183 feet, was the highest measured in 1954, for a high school student in his senior year. In March of 1959, producer David Dortort was looking for a handsome, young, virile actor to portray the youngest son of Ben Cartwright in an hour-long color television series he was creating for NBC. The show was called "Bonanza". Michael had graduated from USC, and he had also worked with David Dortort in his first TV-series "The Restless Gun," in the pilot episode, entitled "Duel at Lockwood" in 1957. Dortort made the mistake of killing off his character, and Michael could never get a regular lead role in a TV series until "Bonanza" came his way. Michael Landon had become financially secure with "Bonanza" and had a steady job. For Michael, the role of Little Joe would prove to be a hearty fourteen-year gallop from rags to riches. "When it ended it was painful for everybody," Michael would confess, "it really was." Michael played Little Joe, the youngest, most handsome, and impetuous of Pa's three boys. Little Joe was the most beloved, by the audience and the heart and soul of "Bonanza". He was regularly involved in pranks and ever more frequently falling madly in love! He was looked on by his father and brothers with affection and was usually at the center of the most humorous episodes. After the first few years, when the series became successful, Michael had surgery performed on his ears that would stick out in his earlier career films and also would begin to financially aid his estranged mother and sister. Victor Sen Yung was the fifth man on the Ponderosa-Hop Sing, the cook. The character was generally used in comic bits, often involving the small cook chasing Hoss out of his kitchen for stealing food.There were, however, a few episodes throughout the series that dealt with anti-Chinese prejudice in the West of the late 1800's. Sen Yung had a huge number of acting jobs, both before and during his years on Bonanza. In the 1940's, he was best known as Charlie Chan's Number Two Son, in the Sidney Toler Charlie Chan films. He was a regular in Father Knows Best, and had roles in many TV shows and movies. Sen Yung loved cooking, and ironically died from exposure to a gas leak in his Hollywood tenement apartment in 1980. He was 65 years old. Pernell Roberts presented his eulogy at his former cook's services that year. Caftan Woman The last decision David Dortort had to make, was who was going to play Hop Sing, the Cartwright's cook and houseboy. NBC wanted to cast a Japanese actor, and Dortort refused, saying the role had to be played by a veteran Chinese actor, by the name of Victor Sen Yung. Click "Next" to read about more of your favorite characters. Ray Teal Ray Teal is decribed as "a very sweet man". As Roy Coffee, he was polite and kind, but nothing was more important to Roy Coffee than being the sheriff. The townsfolk of Virginia City were his "Family". Ray left us back in 1976, Sheriff Coffee forever. Click "Next" to read more about your favorite characters. Bing Russell Neil "Bing" Russell played Poindexter, the murderous Elmer Trace's (James Coburn) escaped partner, who steals Adam's horse and eventually gets killed in "The Long Night", and was a corrupt calvery officer in "The Honor Of Cochise". He came to play Deputy Clem Foster in 1963, and stayed until Bonanza's end in 1973. He is the father of actor Kurt Russell and passed away on April 8, 2003 of cancer at age 76. Click "Next" to read more about your favorite characters. Guy Williams Guy Williams, who was famous for playing Walt Disney's Zorro, was to have replaced Pernell Roberts, in the character of Will Cartwright, Ben's lost nephew. However, with the uncertain fate of Roberts' decision to stay or leave, and coupled with resentment from the cast, mainly Michael Landon, who didn't think he was necessary, forced Williams to leave and pursue his career, as with Lost In Space, which was really beneath him. He moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1978, after visiting there for several years, and passed away in late April of 1989. He is fondly remembered by his fans today as Zorro, still. Click "Next" to read more about your favorite characters. David Canary Two years after Pernell Roberts left Bonanza, a new character was brought in to fill the gap and add more spark to the series. David Canary was perfectly cast as "Candy" Canaday, the honorary Foreman of the Ponderosa ranch. Candy was very close to the Cartwright clan and became entangled in many of their adventures. David Canary was familiar to the audiences of the time, having come from a role on Peyton Place, and The Young Doctors. He was also active on stage, and in off-Broadway plays, including stage plays when he was in the army. He was superb in 1966's Hombre, with Paul Newman, which got him the attention of Bonanza creator, David Dortort, in 1967. After not giving him a raise in salary, Canary left Bonanza in 1970, and tried his hand at writing and producing, but that was futile. Michael Landon and David Dortort called him in May of 1972, just prior to Dan Blocker's untimely demise. They wanted Canary back on the show, so he agreed to return and signed a new contract for a higher salary. Following Bonanza, he played heavies in television and worked on soap operas. Since 1983, he has been on All My Children, where he has won five Emmys, playing the dual role of twins Adam and Stuart Chandler. He recently hosted The Bonanza Extravaganza in September of 1999 for PAX-TV. Click "Next" to read more about your favorite characters. Mitch Vogel Mitch Vogel joined the show in 1970 as Jamie Hunter, an orphan taken in by the Cartwrights and later adopted. It was hoped that Jamie would appeal to younger members of the audience, as Michael Landon was 34, and a bit old for Pa's advice. Mitch was 13 when he joined the cast of Bonanza, and stayed with the show until its end. He apparently made an impression on Michael Landon, as he would go on to play Johnnie Johnson, in two episodes of Little House On The Prairie, after Bonanza was over in 1972. Vogel left acting in his late teens, and is now happily married with children, and lives northeast of Los Angeles. Click "Next" to read more about your favorite characters. Lou Frizzell Lou Frizzell played Dusty Rhoades, an old friend of Ben's, who accompanies Jamie to the Ponderosa, and is hired on as the new ranch foreman, although his performance paled considerably, next to the extraordinary David Canary's performance, and the character was simply an addition. TV Gems Lou Frizzell was in various TV shows and movies, and passed away in 1979, still a decent actor in his own rights. He was excellent as the stable owner Tom, who attempted to frame Joe for murder, but thanks to Hop Sing for proving him innocent!! Click "Next" to read more about your favorite characters. Tim Matheson Tim Matheson played Griff King, who was a convict, and knew Candy from "his old days" and was Dan Blocker's replacement, but not even the 24-year-old actor had enough time to develop what was the very last addition to the Ponderosa. Tim Matheson has always been a busy actor, and before his stint on Bonanza's last season, he was in "The Virginian", with Doug McClure and James Drury. Who are some of your favorite characters from Bonanza? Did we miss any? Tell us in the comments section below. Source: (Bonanza: Scenery Of The Ponderosa)

Bonanza: The Story Behind The Cartwrights

by Brad Rosenberg
Published August 8, 2017

Bing Russell

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Bing Russell

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