Pernell Roberts Net Worth

Pernell Roberts's Quotes

• I was teaching a Sunday school class at one of the churches in Waycross, Georgia, where I grew up. And the lesson dealt with equality and all of us being one under the eyes of God. All of a sudden it hit me!! This isn't true! The church was - is- the most segregated place one day a week there is in our country. And it's so ironical and so tragic that here's a philosophy which preaches and teaches human understanding and brotherly love and practices, in essence, the most vicious form of human relationship there is.
• I had six seasons of playing the eldest son on that show. Six seasons of feeling like a damned idiot, going around -- me, like a middle-aged teenager, saying, 'Yes, Pa,' 'No, Pa' on cue. It was downright disgusting -- such dialogue for a grown man. I felt I wasn't being taken seriously as an actor, and that's like death to one's talent...Stuck as Adam Cartwright, I was only able to use about one-tenth of my ability. -- PR on why he left Bonanza (1959)
• I'm never satisfied with my own work.
• There are times when I think we almost manage to transcend our constant lack of good scripts, proper rehearsal and all the other things that bug a man in this business.... Everything on TV is that monster, compromise.... Let's face it, Bonanza could be really good if the powers-that-be cared enough to make it that way.
• They told me the four characters [Lorne Greene, myself and Dan Blocker and Michael Landon as brothers] would be carefully defined and the scripts carefully prepared. None of it ever happened. - (In 1964 about the limitations he felt about his character given on-screen for Bonanza (1959).)

Interesting Facts about Pernell Roberts

1. Parents: father, Pernell Elvin Sr.; mother, Betty Roberts.
2. Had one son, Jonathan Christopher Roberts (b. October 1951, d. 1989), with 1st wife Vera Mowry.
3. First wife Dr. Vera Mowry was a professor at Washington State University.
4. Had a talent for singing, and was especially fond of performing folk music.
5. He sang in several episodes of Bonanza (1959) and appeared on 2 record albums with the Bonanza (1959) cast as well as 1 solo album.
6. Recorded a solo album of folk songs on RCA Victor, "Come All Ye Fair and Tender Ladies," in 1962.
7. When he was interviewed after his career resurgence with Trapper John, M.D. (1979) in the early 1980s, Roberts identified himself as very much a liberal.
8. Best known by the public for his role as Adam Cartwright on Bonanza (1959), and for his starring role as the title character in Trapper John, M.D. (1979).
9. He was nominated for a 1973 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Guest Artist for his performance in the play, "Welcome Home", at the Ivanhoe Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.
10. His fine baritone was put to use frequently on stage in a number of musicals including "The King and I," "The Music Man," 'Kiss Me Kate," "Camelot" and "The Sound of Music". He played Rhett Butler in a short-lived 1973 musical version of "Gone With the Wind".
11. Roberts (born May 18, 1928) was only 13 years, 3 months, 6 days younger than Lorne Greene (born February 12, 1915), who played his television father, Ben Cartwright, on Bonanza (1959).
12. Roberts (born May 18, 1928) was only 6 months, 22 days older than Dan Blocker (born December 10, 1928), who played his television middle brother, Hoss Cartright, on Bonanza (1959).
13. Had a penchant for martial arts; was known for giving demonstrations at the annual Circus of the Stars (1977), from the 1970s through the 1980s.
14. The singer appeared in one-act operas and ballets with the North American Lyric Theatre early in his career.
15. An avid political liberal, Roberts often complained about the mostly white complexion of the "Bonanza" cast, and the stereotypical ethnic roles that were displayed (in particularly, "Hop Sing", the house servant, played by Victor Sen Yung).
16. While serving for two years in the United States Marine Corps, he participated in the Marine Corps Band.
17. Remained good friends with Gregory Harrison, during and after Trapper John, M.D. (1979).
18. Had attended but did not graduate from Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.
19. Was the spokesperson for Ecotrin Tablets between 1982 to 1990.
20. During his high school years, he played the horn, acted in school and church plays, and sang in local USO shows - pursuing a wide range of occupations before pursuing acting.