'Bonanza': Through The Years With The Cast

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'Bonanza' Cast

Legendary TV Western Bonanza aired 14 seasons on NBC (1959-1973). The hit series followed the "Cartwrights," who lived on the Ponderosa Ranch in Nevada. The original four actors were Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, Pernell Roberts, and Dan Blocker, joined by a cast of supporting characters.

Over the years, the cast lost Roberts and Blocker, and new main characters were introduced in the later seasons. In this gallery, we look back at the Bonanza cast through the years. Where did the stars end up after the show? And how many of them are still alive today? Find out here. Enjoy!

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Lorne Greene - "Ben Cartwright"

Canadian actor Lorne Greene starred on Bonanza as "Ben Cartwright," the widowed patriarch and father of three living on the Ponderosa Ranch. Greene was one of only three stars, along with Michael Landon and Victor Sen Yung, to stay with Bonanza for all 14 seasons.

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Lorne Greene

Greene, associated with his fatherly Bonanza persona, remained very busy with TV and film roles after his time as "Ben" ended in 1973. Some of his more popular post-Bonanza work included Battlestar Galactica and as "Buddy Bowers" on The Love Boat. Greene passed away in 1987, at age 72.

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Michael Landon - "Joseph Cartwright"

Michael Landon was Bonanza's other longest-tenured "Cartwright," playing "Joseph" aka "Little Joe" for all 14 seasons. The multitalented actor also wrote and directed episodes of the NBC Western.

RELATED: Who Wrote Bonanza?

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Michael Landon

After Bonanza made him a superstar, Landon continued his NBC success on Little House on the Prairie and, later, Highway to Heaven. Sadly, the TV icon died young in 1991, at age 54, following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

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Pernell Roberts - "Adam Cartwright"

Eldest "Cartwright" brother "Adam" was played by actor Pernell Roberts for the first six seasons of Bonanza. He was the first main star to leave the show, amid disputes about his character and acting work on television.

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Pernell Roberts

After quitting Bonanza in 1965, Roberts returned to stage acting — which he was said to have preferred over TV work. But the actor still returned for many more TV and film roles, most notably as the title star of Trapper John, M.D. (1979-1986). Roberts lived well into the 20th century, passing on at age 81 in 2010.

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Dan Blocker - "Hoss Cartwright"

Fan-favourite "Hoss Cartwright" was portrayed by actor Dan Blocker. The character appeared in the first 13 seasons of the show, before tragedy struck the Bonanza family in 1972.

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Dan Blocker

Actor Dan Blocker passed away suddenly on May 13, 1972, of a pulmonary embolism. He was just 43. On Bonanza, they elected not to re-cast "Hoss," and the show only lasted one more season after Blocker's death.

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Victor Sen Yung - "Hop Sing"

On Bonanza, Chinese American actor Victor Sen Yung played "Hop Sing," the cook for the "Cartwrights." He appeared in several episodes of all 14 seasons, usually filling a comic relief role.