Best recalled as the eldest son and first member of the "Bonanza" Cartwright clan to permanently leave the Ponderosa in the hopes of greener acting pastures, dark, deep-voiced and durably handsome Pernell Roberts' native roots lay in Georgia. Born Pernell Elvin Roberts, Jr. on May 18, 1928, in North Carolina and moved to Waycross as an infant, he was singing in local USO shows while still in high school .
Parents: father, Pernell Elvin Sr.; mother, Betty Roberts.
Had one son, Jonathan Christopher Roberts (b. October 1951, d. 1989), with 1st wife Vera Mowry.
First wife Dr. Vera Mowry was a professor at Washington State University.
Had a talent for singing, and was especially fond of performing folk music.
He sang in several episodes of "Bonanza" and appeared on 2 record albums with the "Bonanza" 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.
When he was interviewed after his career resurgence with "Trapper John, M.D." in the early 1980s, Roberts identified himself as very much a liberal.
Best known by the public for his role as Adam Cartwright on "Bonanza" , and for his starring role as the title character in "Trapper John, M.D." .
He was nominated for a 1973 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Guest Artist for his performance in the play, "Welcome Home", at the Ivanhoe Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.
His fine baritone was put to use frequently on stage in a number of musicals including "The King and I," "The Music Man," Kiss Me Kate," "Camelot" and "The Sound of Music". He played Rhett Butler in a short-lived 1973 musical version of "Gone With the Wind".
Roberts (born May 18, 1928) was only 13 years, 3 months, 6 days younger than Lorne Greene (born February 12, 1915), who played his television father, Ben Cartwright, on "Bonanza" .
Roberts (born May 18, 1928) was only 6 months, 22 days older than Dan Blocker (born December 10, 1928), who played his television middle brother, Hoss Cartright, on "Bonanza" .
Had a penchant for martial arts; was known for giving demonstrations at the annual Circus of the Stars , from the 1970s through the 1980s.
The singer appeared in one-act operas and ballets with the North American Lyric Theatre early in his career.
An avid political liberal, Roberts often complained about the mostly white complexion of the "Bonanza" cast, and the stereotypical ethnic roles that were displayed (in particularly, "Hop Sing", the house servant, played by Victor Sen Yung ).
While serving for two years in the United States Marine Corps, he participated in the Marine Corps Band.
Remained good friends with Gregory Harrison , during and after "Trapper John, M.D." .
Had attended but did not graduate from Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.
Was the spokesperson for Ecotrin Tablets between 1982 to 1990.
During his high school years, he played the horn, acted in school and church plays, and sang in local USO shows - pursuing a wide range of occupations before pursuing acting.
Graduated from Waycross High School in Waycross, Georgia, in 1945.
Before he was a successful actor, he was a butcher, a forest ranger, and a railroad riveter.
He had seven hobbies: golfing, swimming, reading literature, playing tennis, cooking and running. He also enjoyed singing in his spare time.
Before he was a successful actor, he also worked briefly as an apprentice with the Atlantic Coastline Railroad after graduating from high school.
Had left his role on "Bonanza" , at the end of the sixth season in 1965, were because of two things: He was very unhappy with the way his character was going and for refusing to renegotiate his contract, for the following eight seasons.
Friends with: James Drury , Doug McClure , Dan Blocker , Michael Landon , David Wayne , Robert Young , Charles Siebert , Mary McCarty , Madge Sinclair , Sarah Cunningham , Barbara Stanwyck , Lee Majors , Linda Evans , James Best , Larry Hagman , Dick Van Dyke , Brian Keith , Aaron Spelling , Simon Scott , James Arness , Peter Graves , Peter Lupus , Jack Klugman , Rod Serling , Robert Stack , Raymond Burr , Henry Darrow , Robert Conrad , Connie Stevens , Ruta Lee , Stefanie Powers , Will Hutchins , Bart Braverman , Clifton James , Janis Page , R.G. Armstrong , Burl Ives , Quinn Martin , Frank Price and Robert Vaughn.
Had appeared in each and every episode of "Trapper John, M.D." , with the exception of 1.
Once referred to his "Trapper John, M.D." co-star, Gregory Harrison , a young rebel, when the show started.
Updated his George Fallon character on an episode of "Diagnosis Murder" , he played decades after "Mannix" .
After his guest-starring role on "Diagnosis Murder" , he retired from acting at age 66.
His parents, Pernell Elvin Roberts Sr., was a Dr. Pepper salesman; died in 1980, and Minnie Betty Myrtle Morgan, was a housewife; died 8 years later in 1988.
His son, Jonathan Christopher Roberts died in 1989 in a motorcycle accident.
Was also a lifelong activist, which included participation in the Selma to Montgomery Marches in 1965, and pressuring NBC to refrain from hiring whites to portray minority characters.
Beat out 2 other actors, Wayne Rogers and John Forsythe , for the lead role of the title character in "Trapper John, M.D." .
Played the character of "Trapper John, M.D." longer than Wayne Rogers would.
Was the only original cast member of "Bonanza" to have become an accomplished singer, though David Canary , who joined the show in 1967, had a background in voice and performed on Broadway.
After he happily left his role on "Bonanza" , he turned his back on Hollywood wisdom and well-meant advice, hence, he returned to stage acting. It would take 14 years for Roberts to revitalize his career with a comeback to television with "Trapper John, M.D." .
Had always detested his role on "Bonanza" ,.He did not detest the show itself. just his role on it. He left over an argument with the producers that the boys, should be called sons and at least one of them get married and have their own family. Realalisticly, Adam. He loved his co-stars and didnt want to leave them but the money just wasnt that important to him at the time. He felt he could do better elsewhere.
When he won the role as Adam Cartwright on "Bonanza" , he found the adjustment to a television show difficult.
Moved to Washington, D.C., in 1950, taking some odd jobs while performing with the Arena Stage Theater for two years.
Was reunited with his ex- "Bonanza" co-star, Lorne Greene , for 2 episodes of "Vega$" .
His second ex-wife Judith Roberts guest-starred with him on an episode of "Trapper John, M.D." .
Like his ex- "Bonanza" co-star, Michael Landon , Roberts himself had also resided in Malibu, California, where he died.
Future actor Gregory Harrison was Roberts childhood television hero, watching "Bonanza" . He co-starred alongside him in "Trapper John, M.D." .
Prior to his retirement, he updated the George Fallon character on an episode of "Diagnosis Murder" , he played decades after "Mannix" .
Before he was a successful actor, he was a Sunday School teacher in church in his hometown of Waycross, Georgia.
Had a son, Jonathan Christopher, nearly a year after he wed Vera Mowry, his first wife.
Pernell Roberts died on January 24, 2010. He was the longest living "Bonanza" cast member, followed by Lorne Greene , who played his TV father in the series.
His ex- "Bonanza" co-star, Michael Landon , died of pancreatic cancer, the same disease Roberts succumbed to, years after.
Upon his death, he was cremated.
Was a spokesperson for the National Kidney Foundation in the 1980s.
Second-only to Robert Fuller , Roberts ranked second for guest-starring in a number of Western shows.
Had made over 40 guest appearances on television.
With his G.I. bill, he attended the University of Maryland, where he was drawn to acting, eventually leaving school to work for the stage.
After a 14 year absence from television, he decided to comeback to do "Trapper John, M.D." for financial security.
Acting mentor and friend of Gregory Harrison.
Acting mentor was Lorne Greene.
Had guest-starred on the first episode of "Hotel" .
Met Lee Majors on one of the two episodes of "The Big Valley" , where the two became friends until Roberts own death in 2010.
Made his professional stage debut in 1949 with Moss Hart and Kitty Carlisle in The Man Who Came To Dinner.
Longtime friend of James Drury.
Prior to acting, Roberts also toured university campus conducting seminars or play productions acting and poetry.
Attended Michael Landon s funeral in 1991.
Won a Western Heritage Award for his guest-starring role on "The Young Riders" in 1991.
Began his career as a contract player for Columbia in 1957.
His first wife, Vera Mowry, was a professor theater history at Washington St. University.
Flunked out of both Georgia Tech. University and University of Maryland, twice.
Roberts appeared with his ex- "Bonanza" co-stars, Michael Landon s, former television daughter, Melissa Gilbert , in Donor .
Began acting as a teenager.
Was named after his father.
Lived in Maryland, from 1946 to 1949.
Lived in Los Angeles, California, from 1957 to 1991.
Started acting in classical theater, since college.
Won a Drama Desk Award in 1955 for his performance in an off-Broadway rendition of Macbeth, which was followed by the role of Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet.
In 1972, Roberts returned to Broadway and toured with Ingrid Bergman in Captain Brassbounds Conversion, in which he played the title role.
While attending Waycross High School, he was a member of the boys basketball team.
He was known to be a very private man.
Who recounted casting for the lead role of,"Trapper John, M. D. " (1979) : The beginning of this year, I got a,call to come in and talk about the show. 3 weeks later, I was called,back to do a screen test. And then, I waited again, until I finally got,the word about a week before we shot the pilot that the network had,approved me for the part.
The actor is the last person the producers want to hear from.
