Table of Contents
The versatile and competent actor Pernell Roberts is best known for playing Adam Cartwright in the enduring Western TV series “Bonanza.” Beyond his tenure on the legendary program, Roberts enjoyed a long and diversified career in theater, television, and movies.
Early Life
Roberts was given the name Pernell Elven Roberts Jr. when he was born on May 18, 1928, in Waycross, Georgia. He was raised in a military household and became interested in acting while a high school student in Maryland. Roberts continued his love of theater after serving in the US Marine Corps and finally graduated with a degree in acting from the University of Maryland.
Career
In the 1950s, when he started appearing in numerous television programs and on Broadway, Roberts’ acting career took off. His major break came in 1959 when he was given the part of Adam Cartwright on “Bonanza,” which helped him become well-known. He demonstrated his acting and comedic skills in his role as the oldest Cartwright son. Roberts quit the program in 1965 to explore more difficult and interesting performing chances.
Acting parts in films like “Ride Lonesome” (1959) and “Sunday in New York” (1963) were part of Pernell Roberts’ post-“Bonanza” career. Additionally, he had appearances in several television shows, such as “Trapper John, M.D.,” in which he played Dr. John McIntyre and received praise from critics and an Emmy nomination.
Roberts was a devoted theater performer in addition to his work in cinema and television. He had cameo appearances in several plays, including “The King and I” and “The Night of the Iguana.” The variety of parts he played on stage demonstrated his dedication to the art of acting.
Personal Life
Pernell Roberts had a total of four marriages throughout his life. His first marriage took place in 1951 when he wed Vera Mowry, who was not only a professor of theatre history at Washington State University but also later at Hunter College.
She went on to become a professor emerita of the Ph.D. program in theatre at City University of New York. During their marriage, Pernell and Vera welcomed their only child, Jonathan Christopher “Chris” Roberts. Unfortunately, their marriage ended in divorce. Chris Roberts pursued his education at Franconia College but tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident in 1989.
Following his first marriage, Roberts tied the knot with Judith Anna LeBrecque on October 15, 1962. Their marriage, however, ended in divorce in 1971. He later entered into his third marriage with Kara Knack in 1972, but this union also concluded in divorce, lasting until 1996.
What was Pernell Roberts’s Cause of Death?
Pernell Roberts passed away on January 24, 2010, at the age of 81. His death was attributed to pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is a particularly aggressive and often difficult-to-treat form of cancer, and Roberts’ diagnosis came as a shock to many of his fans and colleagues.
Leave a Reply