Stories

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.

1 of 12 Next

Show comments
Share
Published by

Recent Posts

Daryl Hall ‘Relieved’ To Be ‘Free’ Following Feud With Bandmate John Oates

Last November revealed a side to Hall and Oates that was unknown to many, unearthing…

4 hours ago

71-Year-Old Makes History As Oldest Miss Texas USA Contestant In History

Age is truly just a number for Marissa Teijo, who, at 71, just became the…

7 hours ago

‘90s Legend Fred Durst Flaunts New Look During Performance With Limp Bizkit

Fans spotted a bushy gray beard on Fred Durst at the Download Festival, where he…

9 hours ago

Fans Concerned After 61-Year-Old Demi Moore Flaunts Skinny Legs In Short Pant Suit

Demi Moore graced Kim Jones's Dior Homme Menswear Spring/Summer 2025 event for Paris Fashion Week…

10 hours ago

Crazy Town Frontman And “Butterfly” Singer Shifty Shellshock Dies At 49

Seth Binzer, known professionally as Shifty Shellshock, died on June 24 at the age of…

11 hours ago

Willie Nelson’s Son Serenades Fans With Emotional Cover While Dad’s Health Recovers

Willie Nelson recently came down with health issues, prompting his doctor to place him on…

11 hours ago