Pernell Roberts, the last Ponderosa Cartwright, has died

Pernell Roberts, best known for his role as Adam, the book-smart, oldest Cartwright brother on the popular TV western, Bonanza (1959 - 1973), died Sunday, January 24, in California.

He was preceded in death by the other three Bonanza cast members: Lorne Greene (Pa) died in 1987, Dan Blocker (Hoss) died in 1972, and Michael Landon (Little Joe) passed away in 1991.

Roberts, an ex-Marine, began his acting career as a well-respected Shakespearean actor. The transition to the confines of a TV western constrained the outspoken, political activist who railed against the lack of minority employees on the set. Never one to mince words, he also once referred to Bonanza as 'junk tv' and accused it of 'contributing to the dehumanization of the industry.' He left after six seasons.

Fourteen years later he starred in Trapper John, M.D., a M*A*S*H spinoff which ran for seven years.

Roberts, who died of pancreatic cancer, was 81.