Dan Blocker Picture
STARmeter
Top 5000
Up 311 this week

Dan Blocker (1928–1972)

Actor | Soundtrack

Dan Blocker is one of the true television immortals, having played Hoss Cartwright -- the heart and soul of _"Bonzanza" (1959) -- for 13 seasons before his untimely death in 1972 at the age of 43. "Bonanza" was the most popular TV series of the 1960s, ranked #1 for three straight seasons (1964-65 through 1966-67) and spending a then-unprecedented nine seasons in the Top 5... See full bio »

Born:

Bobby Don Blocker
in De Kalb, Bowie County, Texas, USA

Died:

(age 43) in Los Angeles, California, USA
Still of Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, Dan Blocker and Pernell Roberts in Bonanza Still of Michael Landon and Dan Blocker in Bonanza Still of Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, Dan Blocker and Pernell Roberts in Bonanza Still of Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, Dan Blocker and Pernell Roberts in Bonanza Young Dean West II aka Dean Teaster at the Wild West Show "Ghost Town in the Sky" in 1963. Pictured on right is Dean's father Robert Doyle Teaster as "Digger the Undertaker", who acted regularly with Herbert "Cowboy" Coward. Both Herbert 'Cowboy' Coward and Robert Doyle Teaster acted with Paul Fix, Tony Dow, Clu Gulager, Burt Reynolds, Dan Blocker, and Gig Young during that time. They were celibrity gun fighters with the original cast of "Ghost Town in the Sky". Dean's first exposure to acting.
27 photos | 12 news articles »

Quick Links:

Related News

Robert Altman: The Hollywood Interview
15 February 2013 1:43 PM, PST | The Hollywood Interview
Though Still Enjoyable, It's Hard to Tell One Season of "Bonanza" From the Next
1 October 2012 9:00 PM, PDT | JustPressPlay
the oh-no! DVD of the week: ‘Trek Stars Go West’
7 December 2010 9:23 AM, PST | FlickFilosopher
See all 12 related articles »
Create a list  »

Related Lists

image of name
Early death, but not forgotten!
a list of 50 people by willi-beckenlehner created 07 Jul 2011
 
image of name
100+ Voices I wish I could borrow for a day
a list of 107 people by BatStarIndyFreak created 07 Nov 2011
 
image of name
Essential Bears
a list of 33 people by Grizeus created 8 months ago
 
image of name
Actors i remember. And will not forget!
a list of 137 people by palamp created 28 Mar 2012
 
image of
Favorite TV charactors
a list of 204 images by rundle_pat created 3 months ago
 
See all related lists »

Do you have a demo reel?

Add it to your IMDbPage

Melanie Molnar - Reel -- No description provided.

Melanie Molnar - Reel

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama -- On-camera drama reel featuring David H. Lawrence XVII, in scenes from Heroes, The Unit, LOST, and more

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel -- This reel contains Christopher performing in Film and Television. The clips included are from the following: "The Boundary", "The Wire", "Duplicity", "Law & Order(SVU)", "Michael Clayton", "Cost Of A Soul", "HEROES" and "Law & Order (CI)".

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel

Francine Locke Film Reel -- Family Law (Best Actress, Gideon), Stealing Home (Best Supporting Actress-nom.) 168 Project, True Tale Monster (Albert P. Weisman Award), The Discarded (2011 Feature Release).

Francine Locke Film Reel

My Demo Reel -- Includes clips from GLORY DAZE, COMMUNITY and horror film URBAN EXPLORER.

My Demo Reel


Find out more at IMDbPro »

Connect with IMDb

Take The Quiz!

Test your knowledge of Dan Blocker.
2 wins See more awards »

Known For


Show Show all  | 
Show by:
Edit

Filmography

Hide HideActor (41 titles)
1959-1972 Bonanza (TV series)
Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright / Hoss Cartwright / Big Jack Slade / …
– One Ace Too Many (1972) … Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright
– A Visit to Upright (1972) … Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright
– A Place to Hide (1972) … Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright
– The Younger Brothers' Younger Brother (1972) … Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright
– He Was Only Seven (1972) … Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright
See all 415 episodes »
 
1970 Swing Out, Sweet Land (TV movie)
Indian Who Sells Manhattan
 
1970 The Red Skelton Hour (TV series)
Little Willie
– The Dan Blocker Show (1970) … Little Willie
 
1970 The Tim Conway Comedy Hour (TV series)
– Episode #1.7 (1970)
 
1970 Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico County
Charley
 
1968 Something for a Lonely Man (TV movie)
John Killibrew
 
1968 Lady in Cement
Waldo Gronsky
 
1965 I'll Bet (TV series)
– Episode dated 29 March 1965 (1965)
 
1963 Come Blow Your Horn
Mr. Eckman
 
1962 Henry Fonda and the Family (TV movie)
 
1959 Troubleshooters (TV series)
– Tiger Culhane (1959)
 
1959 The Rebel (TV series)
Del Pierce
– Johnny Yuma (1959) … Del Pierce
 
1958-1959 Cimarron City (TV series)
Tiny Budinger / Carl Budinger
– The Evil One (1959) … Tiny Budinger
– The Town Is a Prisoner (1959) … Tiny Budinger
– Chinese Invasion (1959) … Tiny Budinger
– Have Sword - Will Duel (1959) … Tiny Budinger
– The Ratman (1959) … Tiny Budinger
See all 15 episodes »
 
1959 The Young Captives
Oil Field Roughneck
 
1959 Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (TV series)
Duke
– Chez Rouge (1959) … Duke
 
1957-1958 The Restless Gun (TV series)
Fred Burgermen / Ike Burnett / John 'El Bruto' / …
– The Way Back (1958) … Olaf Burland
– Mercyday (1958)
– The Child (1957) … John 'El Bruto'
– Man and Boy (1957) … Fred Burgermen
– Jody (1957) … Ike Burnett
 
1958 The Rifleman (TV series)
Pete Snipe
– The Sister (1958) … Pete Snipe
 
1958 Maverick (TV series)
Hognose M. Hughes
– The Jail at Junction Flats (1958) … Hognose M. Hughes
 
1958 Zorro (TV series)
Blacksmith
– The Señorita Makes a Choice (1958) … Blacksmith (uncredited)
 
1956-1958 Gunsmoke (TV series)
Keller / Lieutenant
– Thoroughbreds (1958) … Keller
– Alarm at Pleasant Valley (1956) … Lieutenant
 
1958 Jefferson Drum (TV series)
Craig
– Stagecoach Episode (1958) … Craig
 
1958 Decision (TV series)
Salem
– The Virginian (1958) … Salem
 
1957-1958 Cheyenne (TV series)
Deputy Sam / Pete
– Noose at Noon (1958) … Deputy Sam
– Land Beyond the Law (1957) … Pete
 
1956-1958 Playhouse 90 (TV series)
Lewis
– Natchez (1958)
– Sizeman and Son (1956) … Lewis
 
1958 The Thin Man (TV series)
Rosie
– The Departed Doctor (1958) … Rosie
 
1958 Have Gun - Will Travel (TV series)
Joe - Thief No. 1
– Gun Shy (1958) … Joe - Thief No. 1
 
1958 The Walter Winchell File (TV series)
Payload John
– The Reporter (1958) … Payload John
 
1958 Richard Diamond, Private Detective (TV series)
Cloudy Sims
– Rodeo (1958) … Cloudy Sims
 
1958 Sugarfoot (TV series)
Bosch
– Deadlock (1958) … Bosch
 
1958 Wagon Train (TV series)
Sgt. Broderick
– The Dora Gray Story (1958) … Sgt. Broderick
 
1958 Zane Grey Theater (TV series)
Matt
– Man Unforgiving (1958) … Matt
 
1957 Outer Space Jitters (short)
Zombie (as Don Blocker)
 
1957 Colt .45 (TV series)
Will
– A Time to Die (1957) … Will
 
1957 Gunsight Ridge
Bartender (uncredited)
 
1957 The Girl in Black Stockings
Mike, the Bartender
 
1957 Black Patch
Blacksmith (uncredited)
 
1957 Tales of Wells Fargo (TV series)
Joe Purdy
– Renegade Raiders (1957) … Joe Purdy
 
1957 Sergeant Preston of the Yukon (TV series)
Mule Conklin
– Underground Ambush (1957) … Mule Conklin
 
1957 Telephone Time (TV series)
– The Man Who Discovered O. Henry (1957)
 
1957 Sheriff of Cochise (TV series)
Bartender
– Grandfather Grandson (1957) … Bartender
 
1955 Hook a Crook (short)
Gorilla (unconfirmed)
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (1 title)
1969 The Johnny Cash Show (TV series)
– Episode #1.2 (1969) (performer: "Folsom Prison Blues")
 
Show ShowThanks (1 title)
1973 The Long Goodbye (with special remembrance for)
 
Show ShowSelf (16 titles)
1970-1975 Sesame Street (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #7.16 (1975) … Himself
– Episode #2.96 (1971) … Himself
– Episode #2.1 (1970) … Himself
 
1972 Flip (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #2.16 (1972) … Himself
 
1971 V.I.P.-Schaukel (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Episode #1.3 (1971) … Himself
 
1968-1971 The Dean Martin Comedy Hour (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 25 November 1971 (1971) … Himself
– 1968 Christmas Show (1968) … Himself (uncredited)
 
1971 Drei mal neun (TV series)
Singer
– Episode dated 4 March 1971 (1971) … Singer
 
1970 Kraft Music Hall Presents: The Des O'Connor Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 30 May 1970 (1970) … Himself
 
1970 Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (TV series)
Himself - Guest Performer
– Episode #3.22 (1970) … Himself - Guest Performer
 
1969 The Johnny Cash Show (TV series)
Himself - Singer
– Episode #1.2 (1969) … Himself - Singer
 
1969 Jack Benny's Birthday Special (TV special)
Himself
 
1968 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 12 November 1968 (1968) … Himself
 
1968 Rowan & Martin at the Movies (documentary short)
Himself
 
1964 Chevrolet's Bewitching Bonanza (short)
Himself
 
1963 The Andy Williams Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.18 (1963) … Himself
 
1962 The New March of Dimes Presents: The Scene Stealers (TV movie)
Himself
 
1961 The Errand Boy
Himself - Cameo Appearance as Hoss Cartwright (uncredited)
 
1960-1961 Here's Hollywood (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 22 September 1961 (1961) … Himself
– Episode #1.7 (1960) … Himself
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (3 titles)
2011 Pioneers of Television (TV mini-series documentary)
 
2002 Brilliant But Cancelled (TV documentary)
 
1993 Back to Bonanza (TV movie)
Hoss Cartwright
 
Edit

Personal Details

Other Works:

(1/14/61) Television special: Appeared in the "March of Dimes Telethon" with Lorne Greene and Beverly Garland of Bonanza. See more »

Publicity Listings:

3 Articles  | 2 Magazine Cover Photos  | See more »

Alternate Names:

Dan Davis Blocker | Don Blocker

Height:

6' 4" (1.93 m)
Edit

Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

[advice his father gave him] "Son, the rate you're growing you're going to be one helluva big fella. If you use your size and strength properly it can be a wonderful thing for you. If you don't, Heaven help you. One day you'll start pushing some little guy around and he'll pull a gun and blow your brains out." See more »

Trivia:

O'Donnell is located in the panhandle of West Texas, about 40 miles south of Lubbock, Texas. There is a museum located in O'Donnell dedicated to Mr. Blocker. See more »

Star Sign:

Sagittarius