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Pernell Roberts : Biography, Pictures, Photos, Trivia, Address, Filmography (Bonanza)

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Pernell Roberts

Adam Cartwright in Bonanza

Photos Pernell Roberts Birth name: Pernell Elvis Roberts
Birth date: 1928/05/18
Date of death : 2010/01/24 (82 years old)
Birth place : Waycross, Georgie(USA)
Height: 1.85 m

French Traduire

Biography for Pernell Roberts

From TV's "Bonanza" (1959) fame, dark, deep-voiced and durably handsome Pernell Roberts' native roots are in Georgia, born May 18, 1928, in Waycross. Singing in local USO shows while in high school, he attended both Georgia Tech and the University of Maryland but flunked out of both colleges, with a two-year stint with the Marine Corps. stuck somewhere in between. He eventually decided to give acting a chance and supported himself as a butcher, forest ranger, and railroad riveter during the lean years. In New York he performed off-Broadway before progressing to Broadway in such plays as "The Lovers" with Joanne Woodward and "A Clearing in the Woods." He also spent a couple of years performing the classics with the renown Arena Stage Company in Washington, DC, in such productions as "The Taming of the Shrew," "The Glass Menagerie," "The Importance of Being Earnest," and Twelfth Night." In 1955, he won a Drama Critics Award for Best Actor. Pernell headed for Hollywood two years later and found minor roles in films before landing the pivotal role of Ben Cartwright's oldest son, Adam, in the "Bonanza" (1959) western series in 1959. At the peak of his and the TV show's popularity, Pernell, displeased with the writing and direction of the show, suddenly elected not to renew his contract and left at the end of the 1964-1965 season to the utter dismay of his fans. The show continued successfully without him, but a gap was always felt in the Cartwright family by this abrupt departure. The story line continued to leave open the possibility of a return if desired, but Pernell never did. With his newfound freedom, he focused on singing and the musical stage. One solo album was filled with folks songs entitled "Come All Ye Fair and Tender Ladies." Besides such standard roles in "Camelot" and "The King and I," he starred as Rhett Butler to Lesley Ann Warren's Scarlett O'Hara in a musical version of "Gone with the Wind" that did not fare well, and appeared in another misguided musical production that was based on the life of "Mata Hari."

The following years were rocky. He never found a solid footing in films with roles in rugged, foreign films such as Tibetana (1970) [The Kashmiri Run], Four Rode Out (1971), making little impression. He maintained a presence in TV, however, with parts in large-scale mini-series and guest shots on TV helping to keep some momentum. In 1979 he finally won another long-running series role with "Trapper John, M.D." (1979) in which he played the Wayne Rogers "M*A*S*H" (1972) role. Pernell was now heavier, bearded and pretty close to bald at this juncture, but still quite virile and attractive. The medical drama co-starring Gregory Harrison ran seven seasons. The natural-born Georgia rebel was a heavily principled man and spent a life-time of work fighting racism, segregation, and sexism, notably on TV. He was constantly at odds with _Bonanza_ writers of his concerns regarding equality. He also kept his private life private for the most part. He was married and divorced three times, having one son, Jonathan Christopher, by first wife Vera. Jonathan was killed in a motorcycle crash in 1989. In the 1990s, Pernell starred in his last series as host of "FBI: The Untold Stories" (1991). It had a short life-span. He is by most accounts retired, one of his more recent TV guest appearances occurring in 1999.

Born in Waycross, Georgia, May 18, 1928, Pernell Elvis Roberts was the only son of a commercial agent who sold soft drinks. He bears the same first name as his father and mother called Betty.

In his youth, he frequented the different churches of his city (he claims, with a smile, that belonging varied according to the girlfriend of the moment). Good singer and already loving the song, he participated in the choirs.

It was by attending these churches that he became aware of the need to fight against racism, still very lively, at the time, in this southern state.

"I followed the Sunday catechism in Waycross when I was little," he said in an interview the lesson began on equality between us, all brothers in the eyes of God. Suddenly, it struck me: It is not true! The church is, in our country, the place where there is, once a week, the most segregation. And it is both ironic and tragic to think that here is a philosophy who teaches and preaches understanding between humans and fraternal love, while in practice, we apply the most vicious form of human relations

Pernell Roberts made all kinds of odd jobs when he was young, including a short passage to the Marines. Note that it was with them that he lost his children's photos. He had borrowed them from his mother and they never returned to the great spite of the latter. Profolding photos are therefore extremely rare.

He returned to university three times and was returned three times because of his fascination for the theater which led him to abandon his studies.

It was in his first theater school that he fell in love with his teacher, Vera Mowry, that he married in 1951. In October of this year, was born the only child he will have, Christopher.

He went to New York and started with small roles in the theater and only started in the cinema and on television in 1957, when he moved to Hollywood. That year, he won 3 roles, one in Desire Under the Elms, another in The Sheepman, a third in Ride Lonesome. It was to play in this last film that he learned, in a few weeks, to ride a horse.

It was in 1959 that he was offered the role that made him famous, that of Adam Cartwright, in Bonanza.

Despite the popularity of the westerns at the time and despite the fact that this series was one of the first in color, the start of Bonanza was slow. The stars were poorly paid and the characters all of a room. Nevertheless, the actors quickly made them evolve in a more human and more diverse sense. From the second season, we therefore proposed to the actors a five -year contract, in better conditions and including the first year. The series was starting to have a success that should not deny itself later.

Pernell Roberts was quickly disappointed by the series. First, he discovered that he did not like the speed with which we "put in a box" an episode. He had no time to repeat or deepen the scenario. In addition, he had expected the series to deliver more messages against racism, sexism, violence. On this point, he was a little unfair because, for the time, the series was at least far away in terms of fighting racism. Likewise with regard to help for the disabled.

But PR would have wanted to go further, for example that it is married with an Indian. He asked to leave but David dortorts him, not wanting to risk losing telepectors and above all, viewers because PR received an impressive mail of fans.

During this time, PR remained active in the fight against racism, parading with blacks in its original state. It must be recognized that, despite the invectives and the threats of which he was the object, the producers of Bonanza did not let go.

He was distracted during the long waiting periods inherent in the shooting by making the motorcycle. Passionate about speed, he bought, equally with Dan Blocker who played his brother Hoss, a racing car. He also learned to use a guitar and it was not uncommon to hear him sing on the set at his leisure time.

In 1963, he married Judith Lebrecque, an opera chorister, with whom he was to remain married ten years.

Having recorded with Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker and Michael Landon, his partners in the series, a disc of Far-West songs, he recorded another solo, with so many talents that some journalists asked him if he was planning to continue in This path: "I am an actor, not a singer", he replied, "the song is the domain of my wife" and he kept speech to the chagrin of his admirers who appreciated his hot baritone voice and the way he interpreted his songs.

After six years, in 1965, despite everything, Pernell Roberts left the series. In the hope that he returned, he did not kill his character, he had simply left the family ranch for an unknown destination.

PR quickly found his loves with the theater and even, the musical, interpreting the role of King Arthur in Camelot. It was on this occasion that he let out his beard that he raged only for the needs of this or that role. He had excellent criticism.

He appeared as Guest Star in several series such as Mission Impossible where he had two roles. We live it bearded, mustache, hair or bald (its natural appearance). For Bonanza, he had pleaded to play under his normal appearance but David Dortort found that the absence of a wig was aging ten years and he had to resolve to wear a postiche, just like Lorne Greene, his father in the series.

In 1975, he married for the third time with Kara who will remain his wife for twenty years. In 1979, his father being sick, he decided to take an approach with television to win the main role in Trapper John, which he obtained. He plays the role of a doctor, head of hospital service. Coming from Mash, the series is a bit of an emergency ancestor. This bearded doctor and fifty -year -old allowed the American public to see Pr under other features than those of Adam Cartwright.

Trapper John lasted seven years and the series stopped at the death of actor Gregory Harrison who played Doctor Gonzo Gates.

In 1989, he lost his only son who perished, at the age of 37 1/2, in a motorcycle accident.

In the early 1990s, Pernell Roberts was the star of his third and last television series, a series that had a short life: FBI: The Untold Stories.

He was, some time, a very popular host of the program Rescue 911

At 78, Pernell Roberts lives in Malibu. It is, in principle, retired even if it appears from time to time on television. Even if he never expressed any regret for having left Bonanza, he manifested himself, in the spring of 2006, during the last fans of the series. Contacted by an English fan, Diana Golding, as the only survivor of the main characters, he replied very kindly, thus reconnecting with his fans.

Pernell Roberts was an American actor known for his role in the television series "Bonanza" in the 1960s. He was born on December 18, 1928 in Waycross in Georgia and died on January 24, 2010 in Malibu in California.

Roberts began his acting career in the theater, where he played in several classic productions such as "Othello" and "Macbeth". He also made his cinema debut in 1955 in the film "Armed men".

In 1959, he obtained a recurring role in the television series "Bonanza", in which he played Adam Cartwright, one of the sons of Ben Cartwright. The series was very successful and has become one of the most popular of the time. Roberts stayed in the series until 1965, before leaving to continue a solo career.

After leaving "Bonanza", Roberts continued to work in cinema and television. He played in films such as "Le Bateau de la mort" (1968) and "The Night of the Hunter" (1975), and also made many appearances in television series such as "the man who was worth 3 billion "And" Trap John, M.D. ".

In addition to his acting career, Roberts was also an accomplished musician and an active environmentalist and pacifist. He received several awards for his work, notably an Emmy Award in 1971 for his role in "Bonanza" and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998 for his entire career.

In summary, Pernell Roberts was a talented and respected actor, known for his role in the television series "Bonanza" and for his solo career in cinema and television. He was also an accomplished musician and an active environmentalist and pacifist.

Photos

Photos Pernell Roberts n_6 Photos Pernell Roberts n_6 Photos Pernell Roberts n_6 Photos Pernell Roberts n_6 Photos Pernell Roberts n_6 Photos Pernell Roberts n_6

Filmography

Title Role
Diagnosis Murder Dr. Elliott Valin / ... (2 episodes, 1994-1997)
Donor (1990) (TV) Dr. Martingale
The Young Riders Hezekiah Horn (1 episode, 1990)
Checkered Flag (1990) Andrew Valiant
Perry Mason: The Case of the All-Star Assassin (1989) (TV) Thatcher Horton
Around the World in 80 Days (1989/I) (mini) TV Series Captain Speedy
The Night Train to Kathmandu (1988) (TV) Prof. Harry Hadley-Smithe
Desperado (1987) (TV) Marshal Dancey
Trapper John, M.D. Dr. John Francis Xavier 'Trapper' McIntyre (150 episodes, 1979-1986)
Hotel (1983) (TV) Charles Stanton
Hotel Charles Stanton (1 episode, 1983)
Incident at Crestridge (1981) (TV) Mayor Hill
The Love Boat Brian Mallory (2 episodes, 1980)
High Noon, Part II: The Return of Will Kane (1980) (TV) Marshal J.D. Ward
Vega$ Mr. Logan / ... (3 episodes, 1978-1980)
Hot Rod (1979) (TV) Sheriff Marsden
The Night Rider (1979) (TV) Alex Sheridan
The Immigrants (1978) (TV) Anthony Cassala
Quincy M.E. Dr. Chester Banning / ... (2 episodes, 1977-1978)
The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries Detective Superintendant Molly / ... (2 episodes, 1978)
Centennial (1978) (mini) TV Series General Asher
The Magic of Lassie (1978) Jamison
The Rockford Files B.J. Anderson (1 episode, 1978)
The Man from Atlantis Clint Hollister (1 episode, 1977)
Westside Medical Walt Dahlman (1 episode, 1977)
Charlie Cobb: Nice Night for a Hanging (1977) (TV) Sheriff Yates
The Feather and Father Gang (1 episode, 1977)
The Streets of San Francisco Charley Finn (1 episode, 1977)
Police Woman Wagner (1 episode, 1977)
Most Wanted (1 episode, 1977)
Baretta Johnny Hillman (1 episode, 1977)
Barnaby Jones Daniel Matthews (1 episode, 1977)
Captains and the Kings (1976) (mini) TV Series Braithwaite
The Quest (1 episode)
Paco (1976) Pompiho
Bert D'Angelo/Superstar (1 episode, 1976)
Jigsaw John (1 episode, 1976)
The Six Million Dollar Man Mark Wharton (1 episode, 1976)
Cannon Cleary / ... (1 episode, 1976)
Bronk (1 episode, 1975)
Wide World Mystery Mike (1 episode, 1975)
The Lives of Jenny Dolan (1975) (TV) Camera Shop Proprietor
Ellery Queen Barney Groves / ... (1 episode, 1975)
The Deadly Tower (1975) (TV) Lieutenant Lee
Medical Story Dr. Louis Kinoy (1 episode, 1975)
Dead Man on the Run (1975) (TV) Brock Dillon
Police Story Charlie Rivas / ... (2 episodes, 1974-1975)
Ironside Frank Vincent / ... (2 episodes, 1968-1975)
Nakia (1 episode, 1974)
The Odd Couple Billy Jack (1 episode, 1974)
Hawkins (1 episode, 1974)
Mannix George (1 episode, 1973)
Mission: Impossible Boomer / ... (4 episodes, 1967-1973)
Marcus Welby, M.D. (2 episodes, 1971-1973)
Banacek Matthew Donniger (1 episode, 1972)
The Sixth Sense Paul Pettigrew (1 episode, 1972)
Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law (1 episode, 1972)
Assignment: Munich (1972) (TV) C.C. Bryan
Adventures of Nick Carter (1972) (TV) Neal Duncan
The Bravos (1972) (TV) Jackson Buckley
Alias Smith and Jones Sam Finrock / ... (2 episodes, 1971-1972)
Night Gallery Joe Bellman (1 episode, 1972)
Four Rode Out (1971) U.S. Marshall Ross
The Virginian Jim Boyer Sr. / ... (2 episodes, 1966-1971)
Hawaii Five-O Lon Phillips (2 episodes, 1971)
The Name of the Game Ernie Subich / ... (2 episodes, 1969-1971)
The Bold Ones: The New Doctors Dr. Bartell (1 episode, 1971)
San Francisco International (1970) (TV) Jim Conrad
Tibetana (1970)
The Silent Gun (1969) (TV) Sam Benner
Lancer Banning (1 episode, 1969)
The Big Valley Ed Tanner / ... (2 episodes, 1967-1968)
CBS Playhouse Lenny Marshall (1 episode, 1967)
Gunsmoke Dave Reeves / ... (2 episodes, 1957-1967)
The Wild Wild West Sean O'Reilley (1 episode, 1967)
Carousel (1967) (TV) Jigger Craigin
The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. Joey Celeste (1 episode, 1966)
Bonanza Adam Cartwright (164 episodes, 1959-1965)
The Detectives Starring Robert Taylor Rod Halleck (1 episode, 1960)
Buckskin Oscar (1 episode, 1959)
77 Sunset Strip Tony Gray (1 episode, 1959)
Bronco Reverend David Clayton (1 episode, 1959)
Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond Sergeant Vy (1 episode, 1959)
Cimarron City O'Hara (1 episode, 1959)
Lawman Fent Harley (1 episode, 1959)
Ride Lonesome (1959) Sam Boone
Zane Grey Theater Jet Mason / ... (2 episodes, 1958)
Shirley Temple's Storybook Count DeSpard / ... (4 episodes, 1958)
Northwest Passage Captain Jacques Chavez (1 episode, 1958)
Matinee Theatre Don John / ... (3 episodes, 1958)
Tombstone Territory Johnny Coster (1 episode, 1958)
The Sheepman (1958) Chocktaw Neal
Have Gun - Will Travel Maury Travis (1 episode, 1958)
General Electric Theater Phil (1 episode, 1958)
Desire Under the Elms (1958) Peter Cabot
Sugarfoot Deuce Braden / ... (2 episodes, 1957-1958)

Trivia

Has a talent for singing and liked to sing folk songs.

He sang in several episodes of "Bonanza" (1959) and appeared on 2 record albums with the "Bonanza" (1959) cast as well as 1 solo album.

Recorded a solo album of folk songs on RCA Victor, "Come All Ye Fair and Tender Ladies," in 1962.

Often expressed regrets in his later years about leaving "Bonanza" (1959) when he did.

When he was interviewed after his career resurgence with "Trapper John, M.D." (1979) in the early 1980s, Roberts identified himself as very much a liberal.

Quotes

Pernell Roberts dans c'est années de jeunesse dans un état du Sud des Etats-Unis, il a gardé une profonde aversion de l'apartheid entre les Blancs et les Noirs d'ou sa participation au mouvement pour les droits civiques dans les années 1960.

Family

Spouse : Kara Knack (1 June 1972 - 1996) (divorced), Judith Anna Roberts (19 October 1962 - 1971) (divorced), Vera Mowry (1950 - ?) (divorced) 1 son

Parents: Pernell and Betty Roberts.

Had one son, Jonathan Christopher Roberts, with 1st wife Vera Mowry, born October 1951 (d. 1989).

First wife Dr. Vera Mowry was a professor at Washington State University.

Author of the card

  • Creation date: 01/07/2003 by ERASER80

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