Eric Cartwright's Signature Giant Hat Started as a Prank
Old-fashioned cowboy-inspired clothes might just be one of the more fun parts of acting in a western. And for Dan Blocker, who played Eric Cartwright in the show, adding in a few extra bits worked out well for everyone. As a joke, Blocker wore an overly tall cowboy hat. But, rather than just laughing it off, producers thought it suited his character perfectly. And so the giant hat became a part of the show.
That wasn’t the only interesting costume choice on Bonanza, though, and if you look closely, you’ll notice the characters wear the same outfits in every episode.
Pernell Roberts Didn't Like Being on Bonanza
Pernell Roberts played the role of Adam Cartwright for a few seasons and was considered a fan favorite, but he didn’t love being on the show. Acting on Bonanza became too repetitive for him, and he often voiced his frustrations about being on a show that limited his other creative pursuits. While many other actors enjoyed their jobs, he wanted something more meaningful and artistic, which made his time on the show difficult to bear.
He felt out of place acting on Bonanza, and would leave after six seasons to pursue theater and other, more serious, roles that showed off his talents.
With a Budget of Over $200,000 per Episode, It Was One of the Priciest Shows of Its Time
Making a TV show isn’t cheap, and Bonanza just happens to be one of the most expensive shows of its time. It’s hard to say exactly where all the money went - maybe the cast, the sets, the filming time, or the large crew. Most likely, it was a mix of everything. Early in the series, each episode cost around $100,000 to make. But by the time the show ended, this cost jumped to $225,000. In today’s terms, it would be just over a million dollars per episode.
The cost may have worried the studio, but we think we can all agree that Bonanza was worth every penny when you consider it held a top five spot in the Nielsen ratings for nine years straight.
That Time Dan Blocker Fell off a Horse, Broke His Collarbone, and Kept Filming the Rest of the Day
Dan Blocker had quite the life before Bonanza - he played football, worked as a bouncer, and even served in the army. All that tough experience gave him something in common with his character, Toss, who could take a hit and throw one back even harder! Blocker proved his strength when he broke his collarbone after being thrown from a horse on set. Instead of stopping to get medical help, he powered through the pain and finished filming the scene like a pro.
Recovery took no less than six weeks, and he gained so much weight during the recovery that his horse couldn’t carry him anymore. What a story!
Many of the Men Wore Wigs as They Aged in Real-Life
It’s pretty uncommon for TV shows to last long. And with that many years on the air, it’s only natural for some unexpected challenges to come up. One of the biggest issues is aging, especially for the actors. As time passed, some of the men on the show started losing their hair. Since looks are important in Hollywood, they had to find ways to hide it. Some actors wore hairpieces, while others used different tricks to make sure their bald spots didn’t show on camera.
Dan Blocker, who played Hoss, was the first to wear a hairpiece, while Michael Landon dyed his hair brown to prevent his gray hair from showing.
Michael Landon Didn't Like Having Guy Williams on the Cast
When Pernell Roberts left Bonanza, Guy Williams stepped in as Will Cartwright, Ben’s nephew. Guy was already famous for playing Zorro, giving the show an extra boost of star power that it needed. But, Michael Landon wasn’t too happy about sharing the spotlight with another leading man - or so the rumors go. Whatever it was, Williams didn’t stay on the show for long, and his role on Bonanza was a short-lived one.
Williams went on to star as John Robinson in Lost in Space. After retiring, he moved to Argentina, where he lived until he died from a brain aneurysm in 1989. He was 65 years old.
Producers Actually Wanted Guy Williams to Play Adam Cartwright
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if your favorite character was played by a different actor? For Bonanza, one of these “what ifs” was the idea of Guy Williams playing Adam Cartwright. NBC had chosen him for the role, and while he was interested, he was cast in ABC’s Zorro, so it didn’t work out for him. It’s interesting to think about how this might have changed the show and also its popularity.
Though Williams didn’t get to play Adam, he joined Bonanza later as Will Cartwright, Ben’s nephew, in five episodes. He later went on to star in Lost in Space.
Johnny Cash Transformed the Theme Song From Just a TV Tune to a Musical Hit
A classic western wouldn’t be complete without a great theme song, and Bonanza had one of the most memorable songs. It had an upbeat instrumental sound, with rolling guitars and a full orchestra. The song became even more famous when Johnny Cash recorded a full-length version with new lyrics. His take on the theme song made it a hit, turning it into more than just an everyday TV tune.
Cash’s version was featured on his album “Ring of Fire” and released as a single in 1962. Other artists, too, recorded their own versions, like Faron Young in 1963.
Producers Hid Michael Landon's Real Height - He Was Shorter in Real Life
Joseph Cartwright, or “Little Joe,” was the character played by Michael Landon. What you might not know is that he was named little for his age, and not his size, as he didn’t seem smaller than the other characters. Michael Landon, however, was actually shorter than his co-stars, and was five feet nine inches tall. The show’s producers and costume team came up with a pretty clever way to make him the same height as his co-stars.
Landon used boots to add a few inches to his height, making him appear the same size as the others. Filmmaking tricks like platform shoes and standing on raised surfaces helped, too.
Some Guest Stars Were Paid More Than the Main Cast - Which Was Unheard of at the Time
Bonanza had a big budget, which allowed it to pay its actors well, and this meant the main cast as well as guest stars who made an appearance on the show. Surprisingly, in the show’s very first season, some guest stars were paid more than the main cast. This was no mistake, and there was a very good reason behind this rather bold move that was unheard of at the time.
The main actors weren’t as well-known when the show started, so the producers made the clever move to bring in some big-name guests to attract viewers. By season two, the main cast had gained more fame, and their pay increased.
The Main Actors Made a Special Deal for Their Salaries
In most TV shows and movies, some actors get paid more than others, which often causes jealousy and drama. But Bonanza did things differently, and all four main actors earned the same amount. This was because the show didn’t have just one lead character - Ben, Adam, Hoss, and Little Joe were all equally important. Instead of one star and smaller supporting roles, each of them played a major part in the story.
After Michael Landon, who played the role of Little Joe, left the show, his check was split among the remaining actors, giving each of them a nice pay raise.
Creator David Dortor Initially Didn't Want to Hire Michael Landon
Michael Landon was one of the actors who was always vocal about his ideas for Bonanza, and he eventually got the chance to write and direct a few dozen episodes - more than a dozen, actually. At first, the show’s creator, David Dortort, wasn’t sure if Landon should have the opportunity, but he eventually agreed. Landon started writing scripts for the show and became a regular writer, working on more than a dozen episodes of the hit show.
But he didn’t stop there. Landon went on to write for other TV shows, including Little House on the Prairie, which he also starred in.
David Canary or "Candy" Almost Played for the Denver Broncos Instead of Acting on Bonanza
Bringing a new character onto a TV show is always a gamble. And for David Canary’s character Candy, it took some viewers time to fully accept his character. Before acting, Canary almost pursued a career in football. But his immense love for acting and singing led to him choosing a career in entertainment rather than playing for the Denver Broncos in the American Football League, which we’re all thankful for!
Canary starred in 93 episodes of Bonanza, but his longest role was on All My Children, where he appeared in 1,211 episodes, earning him 16 daytime Emmy nominations and five wins.
The Rest of the Crew Weren't Big Fans of Michael Landon
Michael Landon, who played Little Joe Cartwright on the show, was known for his temper as much as his acting talents. While he was hardworking and dedicated to his role, his rather strong opinions often made him very difficult to work with. From not sticking to his lines to always wanting to have a say in the direction of the show, many of Michael’s actions didn’t sit well with the crew or network.
Despite the tension he caused on set, his passion eventually won, and he wrote and directed more than a dozen episodes of the show. Seems like a win-win situation to us.
Viewers Initially Didn't Like Candy
When Adam Cartwright left Bonanza after Pernell Roberts’ departure, fans were disappointed. To fill the gap, David Canary was introduced as “Candy” Canady in 1967. And, as we know, the response from the audience was mixed at first. Fans had a hard time warming up to a brand new character after the loss of Adam, and some felt the show would never be the same once David was cast as Candy.
But, as luck would have it, fans eventually did come to like Candy, and the show continued for another eight seasons with Candy now seen as part of the family.
Dan Blocker Set a Record for Biggest Newborn When He Was Born
Dan Blocker was always a big guy, right from birth! He weighed a whopping 14 pounds when he was born, setting a record for the biggest newborn in Bowie County, Texas. That’s nearly twice the average baby size! As he grew, he just kept getting bigger, towering over other kids his age. By the time he started first grade, he was already over 100 pounds, making it clear that he was born to stand out.
His size could have been a challenge, but he put it to good use. He played football in high school, worked as a bouncer, and later served in the army. Safe to say, he made his size work for him!
Before Bonanza, Lorne Greene Was Known as "The Voice of Doom"
Lorne Greene played Ben Cartwright, the father of the Cartwright boys, on Bonanza. But before his acting career, he had a very different role. During World War II, Greene worked as a war reporter on the radio, often having to deliver bad news to the public. His deep voice was perfect for this, and earned him the nickname “The Voice of Doom.” As you can imagine, this was a pretty grim title to have.
Thankfully for Greene, he moved on to more positive roles, including his roles in Bonanza and later Battlestar Galactica and his documentary Lorne Greene’s New Wilderness.
Cook Hop Sing Was Supposed to Be a Very Minor Character - And the Actor Was a Real-Life Chef!
On Bonanza, the Cartwrights had a cook named Hop Sing. The character was played by Victor Sen and was initially thought to be a minor character added for comic relief. But, much to the producer’s surprise, Hop Sing quickly became a fan favorite and later had a much bigger role in the plot of the show. Yung, who also starred in Charlie Chan films, was also a talented chef in real life.
Sen was born in 1915 and was skilled in Cantonese cooking. After his role on Bonanza came to an end, he published The Great Wok Cookbook, and also made a few appearances on cooking shows.
Wife No. 1
Poor Ben Cartwright had the difficult experience of losing not one, not two, but three wives on Bonanza. Even though they were all gone long before the show began, each wife seemingly had a unique background and personality. Their stories are not just mentioned, but also shown in flashbacks, making them important to the show. This way, we got to learn a little more about each one and how they shaped Ben’s character changes as the show progressed.
Ben’s first wife, Elizabeth Stoddard, was from Boston, and played by Geraldine Brooks. She met Ben when he worked as a first mate on a ship. Sadly, she passed away shortly after giving birth to Adam.
Wife No. 2
Ben’s second wife, Inger Borgstrom, was from a completely different background than his first. She was Swedish, just like the actress who played her. Ben and Inger’s love story developed quickly, but there were a few challenges in their relationship, including her family’s concerns and other men pursuing her. No one, it seems, wanted Ben and Inger to get married, causing hours of entertaining drama for fans to enjoy.
After Hoss was born, Ben and Inger moved out west to start a new life. Their dream, however, was cut short when Inger was killed in a raid by Native Americans.
Wife No. 3
Ben’s third wife, Marie DeMarigny, came from a completely different background again. Played by Felicia Farr, Marie was a French Creole woman from New Orleans who had a tough past. Her son was kidnapped and raised by a cruel stepmother. Marie met Ben when he was asked to deliver a message from her. And the rest, they say, is history. Marie and Ben quickly married, and she gave birth to Ben’s third son, Joseph.
Marie met a tragic end when she was killed in a horse-riding accident when Joseph, known to fans of the show as “Little Joe,” was only five years old.
Blocker Passed Away at 43 During a Routine Surgery
Dan Blocker was a legend in the acting world, and not just for his role in Bonanza. He even had a small role in a The Three Stooges short. Blocker had guest roles in more than a few westerns, like Gunsmoke and Cheyenne. His unique mix of western charm, humor, and toughness made him a fan favorite, and he brought a special something to every role he played on TV.
Blocker’s life was cut short at just 43 years old when a seemingly routine surgery caused complications, and he developed a fatal blood clot. Bonanza went on to address his passing in the storyline - a TV first.
They Actually Filmed on Location for Years Before Moving to a Studio
In the early days of Bonanza, the show broke from typical western tradition by shooting on location rather than using film studios. They first filmed at Lake Hemet, and later chose Lake Tahoe, which became the setting for the much-loved Ponderosa Ranch. If you watch the intro, you’ll see scenes filmed in the northern part of Lake Tahoe, and you can even tour the real Ponderosa Ranch house today.
The show later moved to studio sets as the budget grew, and filming took place at Paramount, Warner Bros., and Old Tucson studios. Did you prefer the location shoots? Or do you think the studio scenes were better?
"The Rural Purge" Was the End of the Western Genre
Westerns were once the most popular type of TV show, and Bonanza came at the absolute peak of this very popular trend of movies and television series. But, as time went on, interest in westerns started to fade and people looked to other genres for their entertainment fix. This shift led to what was called the “rural purge,” where many western shows were canceled, and Bonanza faced the challenge of adapting to these changes.
Even though westerns were losing popularity, Bonanza stayed popular for years. Its strong characters and great stories helped it stand out in a changing TV world.
It Was a New Kind of Western
One of the biggest things that makes Bonanza different from other westerns is its focus on family. While so many other westerns revolve around gunslingers, robberies, and the harshness of life, Bonanza focuses on the family life of Ben Cartwright and his sons. Instead of the silly dads we often see in sitcoms, the show’s creators wanted a more realistic father figure. Ben Cartwright, played by Lorne Greene, was a strong but kindhearted man raising his sons.
Each hour-long episode gave writers just the right amount of time to develop the characters, making them feel real and relatable to fans of the show.
The Cast of Bonanza Was Ahead of Its Time
Even though the main cast of Bonanza was made up of white men, the show still featured a variety of guest actors from different backgrounds. At the time, it was fairly common for white actors to play minority roles, but Bonanza took a different approach. Pernell Roberts and others on the creative team believed that people should play characters from their own ethnic groups. This was not often seen in those times, and it helped bring more diversity to the show’s guest roles.
Some stereotypes, however, still made it into the show. But, compared to other westerns of that era, Bonanza did more to highlight diversity in the Old West and show these characters in a more positive way.
Elvis Himself Was Starstruck When He Met the Bonanza Cast
Bonanza has a huge fan base, and when it moved to the primetime slot on Sunday nights in its third season, it quickly became the number one show in America. The move brought in more viewers, making it even more popular than it already was. One of the coolest and most surprising fans was Elvis Presley. He loved the show so much that he was starstruck meeting the cast, making sure to take a picture with them.
The show seemed to resonate with so many more viewers than other westerns at the time, making it one of the best-loved shows to have ever aired.
A British Western?
The western genre is a symbol of America, but Bonanza had a few surprising influences that you might not know about. While the show was rooted in American culture, the creative team wasn’t entirely American. David Dortort, the writer and producer of the show, was British. He was inspired by British stories, particularly the legend of King Arthur and his knights, which largely influenced the Cartwright family dynamic. Just like King Arthur, Ben Cartwright was a strong leader, and his sons were like Arthur’s knights.
This British influence is clearly seen in the episode called “A Knight to Remember,” where one of the characters in the show even calls himself King Arthur.
A Man of Many Talents
Lorne Greene was a man of many talents. From a radio broadcaster before becoming an actor, to later using his talents for music, there was no end to what Lorne Greene could do. He first sang on Bonanza during the pilot episode along with the other Cartwrights. They sang the show’s theme song, and it turns out that Greene helped write the lyrics to the song we all sang along to.
After the show, Greene went on to record the song and pursue his career in music. He even had a number one hit in 1964 called “Ringo,” about the famous cowboy Johnny Ringo.
Where the Name Came From
To most people, the term “bonanza” means something exciting or successful. But, not many people know that the term actually comes from the mining days, and was used to describe finding a huge profit when miners would strike it rich from their day's work. It’s much like today’s “goldmine” when something brings in a lot of money. The show Bonanza took its name from this, but the reason might just surprise you.
The Ponderosa Ranch was supposedly located near Nevada’s Comstock Lode, a place that could definitely be called a bonanza due to the luck it brought the characters in the show.
Familiar Faces
One of the fun things about rewatching old TV shows is spotting familiar faces before they became the big names we know today. So many actors started with smaller roles and guest appearances, and Bonanza is no exception. If you watch the show, you’ll see a few familiar faces like William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, George Takei, and James Doohan all making appearances on Bonanza before they joined the cast of Star Trek.
It’s fascinating to see these talented actors play roles in both the Wild West and outer space, right? Do you remember the episodes they starred in and the characters they played?
How Bonanza Ultimately Beat Perry Mason in the Networks
The late 40s to the late 50s is often considered the first golden age of TV, and Bonanza faced some stiff competition, particularly from Perry Mason, a huge courtroom drama on CBS. It was so popular that Bonanza almost got canceled early on. So why did Bonanza stick around when it was up against such a popular show? The answer is a simple one - it was one of the first shows to be in color.
This was a big deal since RCA, which also owned NBC, was selling color TVs. A move to the more popular Sunday slot also played a big role.
Sheriff Roy Coffee
One of the more important characters on Bonanza, outside of the Cartwright men, of course, was Sheriff Roy Coffee, played by Ray Teal. He was a true industry veteran and starred in over 250 films and 90 TV shows in his career. But his longest-running role was on Bonanza, where he played the sheriff in 98 episodes from 1960 to 1972. Teal also appeared in The Wild One and One-Eyed Jacks, both starring Marlon Brando.
Westerns were his specialty, and he even played a sheriff in the classic western film Ace in the Hole. Teal passed away at the age of 74 in 1976.
A Surprising Move for Lorne Greene
Lorne Greene was everyone’s favorite dad. Even TV Guide thought so, as they named him TV’s 2nd Favorite Dad. He was warm, friendly, and even helped shape the tone of Bonanza by suggesting the Cartwrights be kinder to outsiders. And once his time on the show came to an end, he took on a new, and slightly surprising role in space when he joined the cast of TV’s Battlestar Galactica.
Green played the role of Captain Adama in the hit show in 1978. He sadly passed away in 1987 from pneumonia at the age of 72.
Pernell Roberts Seeks Something More
Pernell Roberts, who was one of the show's much-loved actors, left Bonanza because he felt the show wasn’t challenging enough for his acting talents. He simply wanted more and moved on to theater while also becoming involved in social causes. Roberts even marched in the historic Selma march. He later returned to TV in the M.A.S.H spinoff, Trapper John, M.D., where he played Dr. John McIntyre for seven seasons.
Throughout his varied career and life as an actor, Roberts showed the acting world just what he could do before passing away in 2010 from pancreatic cancer at the age of 81.
Ponderosa: A Rough Place for Women
It’s no secret that the Old West was especially rough for women. And while the Cartwrights were kinder than most of the men who lived in Ponderosa, the women in their lives faced more than their fair share of misfortune. Ben lost three wives before the show even started, and things didn’t get much better afterward. Women came and went, but none ever stayed. Bad luck just seemed to follow the family, making any form of romance nearly impossible.
Women on the show usually met one of two fates: they either left town or died. Neither option was great, but at least leaving was better than the alternative.
Michael Landon: Behind the Scenes
Michael Landon wasn’t just a talented actor—he also played a big role behind the scenes, writing and directing several episodes of Bonanza. Outside of the show, he became even more famous for Little House on the Prairie and Highway to Heaven. His popularity was simply undeniable—he appeared on TV Guide covers more than almost anyone, second only to Lucille Ball. Landon’s charm and talent made him a beloved TV icon for decades.
His personal life was just as eventful. He married three times—first to Dodie Levy-Fraser, then to Marjorie Lynn Noe, and finally to Cindy Clerico. He passed away in 1991 at just 54 from pancreatic cancer.
The Actor and The Chef
Victor Sen Yung played the role of Hop Sing on Bonanza. His character brought humor to the show as he often scolded the Cartwrights for being late to dinner. But, there’s something even more groundbreaking about his role - he was part of one of the first on-screen interracial marriages, marrying a white woman named Missy. This was a really big deal at the time, making his character even more significant in TV history.
Sen Yung appeared in more than 150 films and TV shows, including Across the Pacific with Humphrey Bogart. He was sadly killed in a tragic pottery kiln accident in 1980 at the age of 65.
A Child Actor Joins the Cast
When David Canary left Bonanza in 1970, the show looked for fresh talent to attract a younger audience. They cast 14-year-old Mitch Vogel as Jamie Hunter, who was later adopted by Ben into the Cartwright family. Vogel was already an accomplished actor at a young age, winning a Golden Globe for The Reivers starring Steve McQueen. Joining the show brought new energy and made him a memorable part of Bonanza's later years.
Vogel also starred in Yours, Mine, and Ours, and had roles in Little House on The Prairie. He retired from acting in 1978 and spends his days directing and acting in church plays.