Pernell Roberts Dies at 81

Pernell Roberts, best known for his roles on Bonanza and Trapper John, M.D. died Sunday of cancer in Malibu. He was 81 and is survived by his wife Elanor Criswell.

Roberts made his acting debut on stage in the early 1950s, and made it to Broadway in the mid-1950s in several shows including Macbeth and The Taming of the Shrew. He won a Drama Desk award in 1955 for his work in Macbeth.

In 1959 he landed the role of Adam Cartwright on Bonanza and portrayed that character for six years.  After leaving Bonanza to persue other opportunities, Cartwright appeared in musicals, released an album, and continued to guest star on television shows including The Big Valley, Gunsmoke, Night Gallery, The Virginian, Mission: Impossible, and Ironside.

1979 marked his return to starring on television as he landed the role as Trapper John, M.D. which he continued with for seven years. He continued to make scattered television appearances after the series ended, but for the most part he had been retired for the past decade and resided in Malibu with his wife.