The famous television actor, Pernell Roberts died of Pancreatic Cancer on January 24, 2010. He died at his home in Malibu, California. He came into limelight by playing the role of Adam in Bonanza the western television series.
Pernell Roberts was born in Waycross on May 18, 1928. During high school he used to sing at the local USO shows. He got enrolled in University of Maryland and Georgia Tech but could not finish his studies and decided to pursue a career in acting. As a struggler he worked on many petty jobs like forest ranger, a butcher and a railroad riveter.
He acted in many stage plays in 1950s. In 1955 he got his first role at Broadway in the play “Tonight in Samarkind”. The year 1955 was lucky for him as he got the best actor award playing as “Macbeth”.
In 1958 he started working on Television. The notable roles played by him are as Captain Jacques Shavez in Northwest Passage and a killer boss in “Hey boy’s revenge”.
His real breakthrough came with Bonanza in which he played the role of Cartwright’s eldest son Adam. He left the series at peak of popularity because he thought that the writers are not doing justice with his character. He recorded a folk music album during the period.
After leaving the most rewarding series on television he continued to appear in guest roles. In early 1980s he came to prominence once again with the lead role in Trapper John, MD.
Pernell Roberts got married four times his only son from his marriage died in a car accident.
Pernell Roberts
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