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Bobby Dan Davis Blocker (December 10, 1928 [1] – May 13, 1972) was an American television actor and Korean War veteran, who played Hoss Cartwright in the NBC Western television series Bonanza.
- Television
- Assessment
- Quotes
- Early years
- Early career
- Education
- Ratings
- Aftermath
Dan Blocker is one of the true television immortals, having played Hoss Cartwright -- the heart and soul of Bonanza (1959) -- for 13 seasons, before his untimely death in 1972 at the age of 43. \"Bonanza\" was the most popular TV series of the 1960s, ranked #1 for three straight seasons (1964-65 through 1966-67) and spending a then-unprecedented ni...
The character of Hoss was conceived as a stereotype: The Gentle Giant. The 6'4\", 300 lbs. Blocker filled Hoss's cowboy boots and ten-gallon hat admirably but brought something extra to the role, a warmth and empathy that helped ground the show. Personal accounts of Blocker testify to the fact that the man was gregarious and friendly to everyone. H...
\"My daddy used to say that I was too big to ride and too little to hitch a wagon to,\" Blocker said, \"no good for a damn thing.\"
His father Ora Blocker was hurt by the Great Depression that began the year after his son Dan's birth. He moved his family to O'Donnell, which is just south of Lubbock, where he ran a grocery store. His \"no good\" son went to the Texas Military Institute, and in 1946 started his undergraduate work at Hardin-Simmons University (Abilene, Texas), whe...
After graduating in 1950 with a degree in English, Blocker went east where he did repertory work in Boston. A 1960 \"TV Guide\" article says that he appeared on Broadway in the 1950-51 production of King Lear, which starred Louis Calhern. The draft soon ended his apprenticeship, and he served in the Army in the Korean War, making sergeant.
After being demobilized in 1952, he attended attended Sul Ross State Teacher's College (Alpine, Texas), earning a master's degree in dramatic arts. He taught English and drama at a Sonora, Texas high school before moving to Carlsbad, New Mexico, where he taught sixth grade. He then moved his family to California, where he again taught school while ...
\"Bonanza\" debuted in September 1959 on Saturdays at 7:30PM on N.B.C., which was owned by R.C.A., opposite the popular Perry Mason (1957), the #10 rated show for the 1959-60 season. The new Western was shot in color, and R.C.A. made color TV sets and saw the program as a good advertisement for its wares. The company sponsored the first two seasons...
\"Bonanza\" made Dan Blocker a very wealthy man, but more importantly, it made him a television immortal. The series continues to be re-run in syndication 40 years after Hoss exited the stage.
- December 10, 1928
- May 13, 1972
Dan Blocker is one of the true television immortals, having played Hoss Cartwright -- the heart and soul of Bonanza (1959) -- for 13 seasons, before his untimely death in 1972 at the age of 43.
- January 1, 1
- De Kalb, Texas, USA
- January 1, 1
- Los Angeles, California, USA
Sep 1, 2019 · Dan Blocker who was a Free Methodist passed away in 1972, but his legacy lives on through his children. The “Bonanza” star had four children with his wife, Dolphia Parker, and each of their names begin with “D”.
Jul 12, 2019 · What caused Dan Blocker death at such a young age? His death was caused by complications following a cholecystectomy, which is gallbladder surgery. During this time, he was still filming for Bonanza, and the show was on its 13th season.
Oct 17, 2024 · Blocker died suddenly from a pulmonary embolism in 1972, at the age of 43. His character was killed off the show and his death had a major impact on the series, which lasted for one more season...
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May 15, 2021 · TV star Dan Blocker was one of the most revered TV actors in Hollywood, however, his life was cut short after some health complications. Here is a look into his lifetime in the spotlight.
