Actor. He is best remembered for his role of 'Hoss Cartwright' in the classic NBC television western family drama series, "Bonanza," which ran from 1959 to 1972. Born in De Kalb, Bowie County, Texas, he entered the movie and television field in 1955 with his first role in the film, "Hook a Crook" (1955). He began taking small cameo roles on television, in such programs (mostly westerns) as "Gunsmoke," "Playhouse 90," "Cheyenne," "Tales of Wells Fargo," "The Restless Gun," "Maverick," "The Rifleman," and "Zane Grey Theater." He continued to play bit parts in many less-than-memorable movies, such as "The Girl in Black Stockings" (1957), "Outer Space Jitters" (1957 - he played a Prehistoric Zombie opposite the Three Stooges), and "Gunsight Ridge" (1957 - uncredited). His big break came with the role of 'Hoss Cartwright' in the 1959 television series, "Bonanza," in which he played one of four sons to a wealthy Nevada rancher played by actor Lorne Greene. Most viewers of "Bonanza" did not realize that Hoss Cartwright's character was really named Eric Cartwright (Hoss being a nickname because he "had the stamina of a horse"). During the successful run of "Bonanza," he started the Bonanza Steak House restaurant chain. Two of his children – David and Dirk, followed his path in Hollywood (David is a producer and Dirk is an actor). There is a museum dedicated to Dan Blocker in his hometown of O'Donnell, Texas (in Lynn County, about 40 miles due south of Lubbock, Texas).
Actor. He is best remembered for his role of 'Hoss Cartwright' in the classic NBC television western family drama series, "Bonanza," which ran from 1959 to 1972. Born in De Kalb, Bowie County, Texas, he entered the movie and television field in 1955 with his first role in the film, "Hook a Crook" (1955). He began taking small cameo roles on television, in such programs (mostly westerns) as "Gunsmoke," "Playhouse 90," "Cheyenne," "Tales of Wells Fargo," "The Restless Gun," "Maverick," "The Rifleman," and "Zane Grey Theater." He continued to play bit parts in many less-than-memorable movies, such as "The Girl in Black Stockings" (1957), "Outer Space Jitters" (1957 - he played a Prehistoric Zombie opposite the Three Stooges), and "Gunsight Ridge" (1957 - uncredited). His big break came with the role of 'Hoss Cartwright' in the 1959 television series, "Bonanza," in which he played one of four sons to a wealthy Nevada rancher played by actor Lorne Greene. Most viewers of "Bonanza" did not realize that Hoss Cartwright's character was really named Eric Cartwright (Hoss being a nickname because he "had the stamina of a horse"). During the successful run of "Bonanza," he started the Bonanza Steak House restaurant chain. Two of his children – David and Dirk, followed his path in Hollywood (David is a producer and Dirk is an actor). There is a museum dedicated to Dan Blocker in his hometown of O'Donnell, Texas (in Lynn County, about 40 miles due south of Lubbock, Texas).
Bio by: Kit and Morgan Benson
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