Who Is Pernell Roberts? Age, Biography and Wiki
Pernell Roberts was born on May 18, 1928, and passed away on January 24, 2010. He would have turned 97 in 2025. Known for his remarkable acting skills, Roberts starred in numerous television shows and films over his extensive career, leaving a lasting impression on audiences. He is best remembered for his role as Adam Cartwright on the classic TV series Bonanza.
| Occupation | Stage Actor |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 18, 1928 |
| Age | 81 Years |
| Birth Place | Waycross, Georgia, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | Georgia |
| Date of death | 24 January, 2010 |
| Died Place | Malibu, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Pernell Roberts's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
At the peak of his acting career, Pernell Roberts stood approximately 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall. His weight fluctuated around 170 lbs (77 kg) during his performances. He had an athletic build, which contributed to his on-screen presence and charisma.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Pernell Roberts had a rich personal life, which included a series of significant relationships. He was married three times and had no children. His most notable relationship was with his second wife, whom he divorced in 1971. While he was known for being private about his personal life, Roberts was often linked to various romantic interests throughout his life. However, in terms of a "boyfriend" or "girlfriend" status in his later years, specific details from 2025 are not applicable as he passed away in 2010.
Roberts, having largely been "a stage actor, accustomed as he was to a rigorous diet of the classics" and to freely move about from part to part, found the "transition to a television series", playing the same character, "without costume changes", a difficult one.
"It was perhaps not surprising that, despite enormous success, he left Bonanza after the 1964–65 season, criticizing the show's simple-minded content and lack of minority actors...".
It particularly distressed him that his character, a man in his 30s, had to defer continually to the wishes of his widowed father, and he reportedly disliked the series itself, calling it "junk" television and accusing NBC of "perpetuating banality and contributing to the dehumanization of the industry." The equally self-critical Roberts ("I guess
I'll never be satisfied with my own work" ), "had long disdained the medium's commercialization of his craft and its mass-production, assembly-line mindset." Frustrated with Bonanza and angry, he told a reporter in 1965, "I feel I'm an aristocrat in my field of endeavor.
My being part of Bonanza was like Isaac Stern sitting in with Lawrence Welk".
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Pernell Roberts had an estimated net worth ranging from $5 million to $10 million. His earnings primarily stemmed from his successful acting career on television and stage, along with his participation in various films. In 2025, discussions around his estate would likely revolve around his contributions to the entertainment industry and the impact of his work.
Career, Business and Investments
Pernell Roberts had a diverse and successful career, beginning his journey in the 1950s. He gained fame through Bonanza, which ran from 1959 to 1973. His portrayal of Adam Cartwright made him a household name. Additionally, he starred in Trapper John, M.D., which showcased his versatility as an actor. Throughout his career, Roberts was known for his advocacy in various social issues, including labor rights and environmentalism.
In addition to acting, Roberts had interests in directing and producing and was involved in several business ventures tied to the entertainment industry.
During his high-school years, Pernell played the horn, acted in school and church plays, and sang in local USO shows. He attended, but did not graduate from, Georgia Tech. Enlisting in 1946, he served for two years in the United States Marine Corps.
He played the tuba and horn in the Marine Corps Band, and he was also skilled at playing the sousaphone and percussion. He later attended, also without graduating, the University of Maryland, where he had his first exposure to acting in classical theatre.
He appeared in four productions while a student, including Othello and Antigone, but left school to act in summer stock.
Social Network
Although Pernell Roberts was never a part of modern social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter, which were established after his passing, he enjoyed a legacy that lives on through various fan pages and tribute accounts online. His contributions to the arts are still celebrated by fans and actors alike in forums and social networks dedicated to classic television and film.
Roberts acknowledged reasons for Bonanza's appeal, but pointed to his personal need for story lines with greater social relevance, adult themes, and dialogue. He wanted Bonanza to be "a little more grown up" (Mike Douglas Show, 1966).
He also noted that he was not suited to the "procedural" and "confining aspect" of series television, another reason for his dissatisfaction, while on the show.(Mike Douglas Show, 1966)
Education
Pernell Roberts was educated at the University of Maryland, where he studied acting and gained foundational skills that paved the way for his successful career. His education provided him with the tools necessary to excel in a highly competitive industry, allowing him to blend his talent with rigorous training.
In 1949, he made his professional stage debut with Moss Hart and Kitty Carlisle in The Man Who Came to Dinner at the Olney Theatre in Olney, Maryland. Later, he spent eight weeks at the Bryn Mawr College Theatre in Philadelphia, portraying Dan in Emlyn Williams' Night Must Fall and Alfred Doolittle in Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion.
