In May 1972, Hollywood lost one of its most beloved television icons when Dan Blocker, famed for his role as Hoss Cartwright on NBC’s “Bonanza,” died suddenly at age 43. The news shocked fans and devastated the cast of the long-running series, which had become an American institution. But as colleagues and loved ones gathered to mourn Blocker, one absence raised eyebrows and fueled decades of speculation: Pernell Roberts, Blocker’s co-star and longtime friend, was nowhere to be seen.

Why did Roberts, who played Adam Cartwright for six seasons alongside Blocker, skip the funeral of a man many considered his brother in arms? Rumors of bitterness and feuds swirled for years, but the truth is far more nuanced—rooted in personal philosophy, creative conflict, and the private nature of grief.

The Heart of Bonanza—and the Rift That Followed

Dan Blocker’s passing was more than a loss for “Bonanza.” It was a seismic moment in television history. Blocker was the soul of the show, both on and off screen, known for his warmth, humor, and humility. His portrayal of Hoss—a gentle giant with a heart of gold—made him a favorite among viewers and castmates alike.

Pernell Roberts, meanwhile, was the show’s intellectual anchor as Adam Cartwright, the university-educated eldest son. But behind the scenes, Roberts was restless. By 1965, after six years on “Bonanza,” he quit the show, frustrated by what he saw as shallow storylines and the lack of depth in his character. Roberts publicly criticized “Bonanza” as “junk television,” lamenting that it failed to tackle meaningful topics. He bristled at Adam’s perpetual deference to his father, Ben Cartwright (Lorne Greene), despite being a grown man. This creative dissatisfaction created a rift—not just with the series, but with the world he’d inhabited for so long.

By the time Blocker died in 1972, Roberts had been gone from “Bonanza” for nearly seven years. The emotional distance, coupled with Roberts’s principled stand against the show’s creative direction, made returning to the fold—especially for a public ceremony—deeply complicated.

A Private Man in a Public Moment

Roberts’s decision to skip Blocker’s funeral was not born of disrespect or animosity. Those who knew him describe Roberts as intensely private, uncomfortable with public displays of emotion and wary of the spotlight. The media frenzy that would accompany the funeral of a star like Blocker was likely overwhelming for Roberts, who preferred to mourn in solitude.

“He was a man who carried his grief inwardly,” a former colleague recalled. “He wasn’t one for spectacle, especially when it came to something as personal as loss.”

Roberts’s approach to mourning was shaped by introspection and a brooding sense of mortality. He outlived many of his “Bonanza” co-stars, and in later interviews referred to himself as “the last one Roberts,” reflecting a deep, solitary engagement with the passage of time and the inevitability of death.

Respect Beyond Attendance

Despite his absence, Roberts never spoke ill of Blocker. In later years, he described Blocker as “kind, generous, and genuinely difficult not to like.” Their professional differences did not eclipse their mutual respect. Roberts’s decision not to attend the funeral reflected his own personality and his preference for private remembrance rather than public ceremony.

The contrasting personalities of the two men—Roberts, outspoken and critical; Blocker, easygoing and humble—help explain the choice. While Blocker embraced his role as Hoss with warmth and consistency, Roberts challenged the conventions of television and the limitations placed upon him as an actor. Their friendship, forged in the fires of creative collaboration and personal divergence, was complex but genuine.

Dan Blocker: A Career Built on Kindness and Strength

Before “Bonanza,” Blocker built his reputation through a series of memorable roles in television westerns. He appeared in “Gunsmoke,” “Colt .45,” “The Restless Gun,” “Cheyenne,” “The Rifleman,” and “Wagon Train,” among others. His imposing physicality was matched by a gentle demeanor, making him a natural fit for characters who balanced grit with humanity.

Blocker’s big break came in 1959, when he was cast as Hoss Cartwright. Over 13 years and 415 episodes, he became one of television’s most recognizable faces. He based Hoss’s character on a Quaker principle: “We shall pass this way on earth but once. If there is any kindness we can show or good act we can do, let us do it now, for we will never pass this way again.” This philosophy infused his performances with sincerity and compassion, making Hoss Cartwright an enduring American icon.

Blocker’s career extended beyond “Bonanza.” He appeared with Frank Sinatra in “Come Blow Your Horn” and “Lady in Cement,” and was sought by Stanley Kubrick for a role in “Dr. Strangelove”—a part that ultimately went to Slim Pickens due to a miscommunication with Blocker’s agent. Off-screen, he co-founded the Bonanza Steakhouse chain, further cementing his legacy in American culture.

Pernell Roberts: The Rebel with a Cause

Roberts’s career was marked by versatility and a relentless pursuit of artistic integrity. He made his film debut in “Desire Under the Elms” (1958) and appeared in “The Sheepman,” “Ride Lonesome,” and numerous television dramas. His classical training made him a standout in stage and screen adaptations of literary works, including several episodes of Shirley Temple’s Storybook Theater.

As Adam Cartwright, Roberts brought sophistication and intellect to the Ponderosa. But the constraints of weekly television and the repetitive nature of his role left him dissatisfied. He advocated for more grown-up themes, greater diversity, and deeper character development—often clashing with producers and network executives. In interviews, he lamented the “adolescent portrayal” of the Cartwright family and criticized the “assembly line nature” of TV production.

Ultimately, Roberts chose principle over popularity, leaving “Bonanza” at the height of its success. His legacy is one of integrity and a commitment to the craft of acting, even when it meant walking away from fame.

A Legacy of Complexity and Character

The absence of Pernell Roberts at Dan Blocker’s funeral remains a poignant footnote in television history—a reminder that grief is deeply personal, and that public expectations don’t always align with private reality. Roberts’s choice reflected not only his complicated relationship with “Bonanza” but also his commitment to authenticity in life and art.

Blocker’s warmth and Roberts’s intellect gave “Bonanza” its unique chemistry, and their careers continue to inspire new generations of fans and actors. In the end, both men left indelible marks on American entertainment—one through the power of kindness, the other through the courage of conviction.

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