“Bonanza” Star Pernell Roberts dies
Pernell Roberts, an actor who starred in television’s Bonanza and Trapper John, M.D., died of cancer Sunday in his California home. He was 81.
Roberts was born in 1928 in Georgia. He attended Georgia Tech and the University of Maryland, but his academic endeavors reportedly paled in comparison to his dramatic interests. After school, Roberts went on to participate and star in a number of theatre roles, including a few Broadway productions.
Roberts is perhaps most known for his role as Adam Cartwright, one of three brothers who entertained audiences for years with their old-fashioned values and Western adventures on NBC’s Bonanza. Roberts decided to leave the show after six seasons, a move which many questioned given the series’ success; Roberts, however, knew it was the right thing to do.
After leaving Bonanza, Roberts went on to enjoy moderate success with dozens of other acting endeavors, one of which was the title role of another television series Trapper John, M.D., in which he played the chief of surgery in a San Francisco hospital. The role landed him an Emmy nomination for outstanding lead actor.
He is survived by his fourth wife, Eleanor Criswell.
[photo: Nevada Tumbleweed]
Tags: Bonanza, cancer, Pernell Roberts, Trapper John M.D.
