Pernell Roberts Net Worth

Pernell Roberts Net Worth is
$1.3 Million

Pernell Roberts Bio/Wiki, Net Worth, Married 2018

Pernell Elven Roberts, Jr. (May 18, 1928 – January 24, 2010) was an American stage, film and television actor, as well as a singer. In addition to guest starring in over 60 television series, he was best known for his roles as Ben Cartwright's eldest son Adam Cartwright on the Western TV series Bonanza (1959–1965), and as chief surgeon Dr. John McIntyre, the title character on Trapper John, M.D. (1979–1986).He was also known for his lifelong activism, which included participation in the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965 and pressuring NBC to refrain from hiring whites to portray minority characters.

Full NamePernell Roberts
Date Of BirthMay 18, 1928
Died2010-01-24
Place Of BirthWaycross, Georgia, U.S.
Height6' 1" (1.85 m)
ProfessionActor, Soundtrack
EducationGeorgia Institute of Technology
NationalityAmerican
SpouseJudith Roberts (actress)
ChildrenJonathan Christopher
ParentsPernell Elven Roberts, Sr., Minnie Myrtle Morgan Roberts
AwardsDrama Desk Award for Outstanding Performance
NominationsPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
MoviesRide Lonesome, Four Rode Out, Desire Under the Elms, The Bravos, High Noon, Part II: The Return of Will Kane, The Magic of Lassie, The Night Train to Kathmandu, Charlie Cobb: Nice Night for a Hanging, The Sheepman, The Deadly Tower, Desperado, Perry Mason: The Case of the All-Star Assassin, Adventur...
TV ShowsFBI: The Untold Stories, Trapper John, M.D., Centennial, Bonanza, Jigsaw
Star SignTaurus
#Trademark
1Roles in Westerns
2Several of his roles were doctors that served compassion to others.
3Baritone voice
4His beard
#Quote
1I just didn't enjoy Bonanza (1959) anymore. My contract was up and I left. It became joyless and boring and predictable and I had to get away. But I never said those things people said I said.
2I distinguished myself by flunking out of college three times.
3On playing the same character that Wayne Rogers would've been famous for after M*A*S*H (1972), when he left in 1975: Time is moving along. I'm 51 and I say, 'Well, maybe I better hedge my bet a little and get into something more lucrative so I won't have to find food in the garbage vehicles of America, when I'm old.'
4Who played the same character that Wayne Rogers had created, when he was on M*A*S*H (1972), except Roberts played his mellower than Rogers: I really don't know what the thrust of the series is. Sometimes it's drama, sometimes farce. I have absolutely no input. The actor is the last person the producers want to hear from.
5Who proclaimed about leaving his role on Bonanza (1959), after he appeared in the show's 177 of the 430 episodes: I feel I am an aristocrat in my field of endeavor. My being part of Bonanza (1959) was like Isaac Stern sitting in with Lawrence Welk.
6Who recounted casting for the lead role of Trapper John, M.D. (1979): The beginning of this year, I got a call to come in and talk about the show. 3 weeks later, I was called back to do a screen test. And then, I waited again, until I finally got the word about a week before we shot the pilot that the network had approved me for the part.
7In 1980: I've seen it all before. A hundred times before. Actors on their way up. Actors coasting. It was the same 20 years ago as today.
8Why do a series? It's called paying the rent. It's called paying your dues. But so much depends on timing. Mine was a bit off when I quit Bonanza (1959).
9Who never quite stomach it, who in turn never hid his feelings: 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 (1959) could be really good if the powers-that-be care enough to make it that way.
10Of what led him to do Trapper John, M.D. (1979), when he sounded subdued, almost resigned: I'm getting old. I just turned 51. I need to make a live. I hope that I can be totally responsible for my life till I die. Perhaps I won't have to worry in my later years.
11When questioned if he was sorry for leaving his role on Bonanza (1959): God no! I'm just sorry I wasn't able to get out of my contract and leave sooner. So the other made millions. How much does one person need to live? I've never needed or wanted that much.
12As we get older, we become more political in terms of survival. We realize a certain amount of cunning is necessary and that you just end up in a victim when you are totally honest in an environment where those around you aren't. It's a matter of remaining true to yourself while continuing to move forward. It's also a matter of learning to keep control of one's balance.
13In 1979: I've never been career oriented. Did I even want to be a star? What's a star? Is that something in the heavens? That's the only definition that comes to my mind. And the most important goals in my life have been to move gently to be at ease with the mystery of what it's all about.
14Isn't it just a bit silly for three adult males to get father's permission for everything they do? I haven't grown at all since the series began four years ago. I have an impotent role. Everywhere I turn, there's the father image. - In 1963 when Bonanza (1959) was too remote from reality.
15They 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).)
16There 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.
17I'm never satisfied with my own work.
18I 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)
19I 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.
#Fact
1He was known to be a very private man.
2While attending Waycross High School, he was a member of the boys basketball team.
3In 1972, Roberts returned to Broadway and toured with Ingrid Bergman in Captain Brassbound's Conversion, in which he played the title role.
4Won a Drama Desk Award in 1955 for his performance in an off-Broadway rendition of Macbeth, which was followed by the role of Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet.
5Started acting in classical theater, since college.
6Lived in Los Angeles, California, from 1957 to 1991.
7Lived in Maryland, from 1946 to 1949.
8Was named after his father.
9Began acting as a teenager.
10Roberts appeared with his ex-Bonanza (1959) co-star's, Michael Landon's, former television daughter, Melissa Gilbert, in Donor (1990).
11Flunked out of both Georgia Tech. University and University of Maryland, twice.
12His first wife, Vera Mowry, was a professor theater history at Washington St. University.
13Began his career as a contract player for Columbia in 1957.
14Won a Western Heritage Award for his guest-starring role on The Young Riders (1989) in 1991.
15Attended Michael Landon's funeral in 1991.
16Prior to acting, Roberts also toured university campus conducting seminars or play productions acting and poetry.
17Longtime friend of James Drury.
18Made his professional stage debut in 1949 with Moss Hart and Kitty Carlisle in 'The Man Who Came To Dinner'.
19Met Lee Majors on one of the two episodes of The Big Valley (1965), where the two became friends until Roberts' own death in 2010.
20Had guest-starred on the first episode of Hotel (1983).
21Acting mentor was Lorne Greene.
22Acting mentor and friend of Gregory Harrison.
23After a 14 year absence from television, he decided to comeback to do Trapper John, M.D. (1979) for financial security.
24With his G.I. bill, he attended the University of Maryland, where he was drawn to acting, eventually leaving school to work for the stage.
25Had made over 40 guest appearances on television.
26Second-only to Robert Fuller, Roberts ranked second for guest-starring in a number of Western shows.
27Was a spokesperson for the National Kidney Foundation in the 1980s.
28Upon his death, he was cremated.
29His ex-Bonanza (1959) co-star, Michael Landon, died of pancreatic cancer, the same disease Roberts succumbed to, years after.
30Pernell Roberts died on January 24, 2010. He was the longest living Bonanza (1959) cast member, followed by Lorne Greene, who played his TV father in the series.
31Had a son, Jonathan Christopher, nearly a year after he wed Vera Mowry, his first wife.
32Before he was a successful actor, he was a Sunday School teacher in church in his hometown of Waycross, Georgia.
33Prior to his retirement, he updated the George Fallon character on an episode of Diagnosis Murder (1993), he played decades after Mannix (1967).
34Future actor Gregory Harrison was Roberts' childhood television hero, watching Bonanza (1959). He co-starred alongside him in Trapper John, M.D. (1979).
35Like his ex-Bonanza (1959) co-star, Michael Landon, Roberts himself had also resided in Malibu, California, where he died.
36His second ex-wife Judith Roberts guest-starred with him on an episode of Trapper John, M.D. (1979).
37Was reunited with his ex-Bonanza (1959) co-star, Lorne Greene, for 2 episodes of Vega$ (1978).
38Moved to Washington, D.C., in 1950, taking some odd jobs while performing with the Arena Stage Theater for two years.
39When he won the role as Adam Cartwright on Bonanza (1959), he found the adjustment to a television show difficult.
40Had always detested his role on Bonanza (1959), .He did not detest the show itself. just his role on it. He left over an argument with the producers that the boys, should be called son's and at least one of them get married and have their own family. Realalisticly, Adam. He loved his co-stars and didn't want to leave them but the money just wasn't that important to him at the time. He felt he could do better elsewhere.
41After he happily left his role on Bonanza (1959), he turned his back on Hollywood wisdom and well-meant advice, hence, he returned to stage acting. It would take 14 years for Roberts to revitalize his career with a comeback to television with Trapper John, M.D. (1979).
42Was the only original cast member of Bonanza (1959) to have become an accomplished singer, though David Canary, who joined the show in 1967, had a background in voice and performed on Broadway.
43Played the character of Trapper John, M.D. (1979) longer than Wayne Rogers would.
44Beat out 2 other actors, Wayne Rogers and John Forsythe, for the lead role of the title character in Trapper John, M.D. (1979).
45Was also a lifelong activist, which included participation in the Selma to Montgomery Marches in 1965, and pressuring NBC to refrain from hiring whites to portray minority characters.
46His son, Jonathan Christopher Roberts died in 1989 in a motorcycle accident.
47His parents, Pernell Elvin Roberts Sr., was a Dr. Pepper salesman; died in 1980, and Minnie 'Betty' Myrtle Morgan, was a housewife; died 8 years later in 1988.
48After his guest-starring role on Diagnosis Murder (1993), he retired from acting at age 66.
49Updated his George Fallon character on an episode of Diagnosis Murder (1993), he played decades after Mannix (1967).
50Once referred to his Trapper John, M.D. (1979) co-star, Gregory Harrison, a young rebel, when the show started.
51Had appeared in each and every episode of Trapper John, M.D. (1979), with the exception of 1.
52Friends with: James Drury, Doug McClure, Dan Blocker, Michael Landon, David Wayne, Robert Young, Charles Siebert, Mary McCarty, Madge Sinclair, Sarah Cunningham, Barbara Stanwyck, Lee Majors, Linda Evans, James Best, Larry Hagman, Dick Van Dyke, Brian Keith, Aaron Spelling, Simon Scott, James Arness, Peter Graves, Peter Lupus, Jack Klugman, Rod Serling, Robert Stack, Raymond Burr, Henry Darrow, Robert Conrad, Connie Stevens, Ruta Lee, Stefanie Powers, Will Hutchins, Bart Braverman, Clifton James, Janis Page, R.G. Armstrong, Burl Ives, Quinn Martin, Frank Price and Robert Vaughn.
53Had left his role on Bonanza (1959), at the end of the sixth season in 1965, were because of two things: He was very unhappy with the way his character was going and for refusing to renegotiate his contract, for the following eight seasons.
54Before he was a successful actor, he also worked briefly as an apprentice with the Atlantic Coastline Railroad after graduating from high school.
55He had seven hobbies: golfing, swimming, reading literature, playing tennis, cooking and running. He also enjoyed singing in his spare time.
56Before he was a successful actor, he was a butcher, a forest ranger, and a railroad riveter.
57Graduated from Waycross High School in Waycross, Georgia, in 1945.
58During 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.
59Was the spokesperson for Ecotrin Tablets between 1982 to 1990.
60Had attended but did not graduate from Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.
61Remained good friends with Gregory Harrison, during and after Trapper John, M.D. (1979).
62While serving for two years in the United States Marine Corps, he participated in the Marine Corps Band.
63An 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).
64The singer appeared in one-act operas and ballets with the North American Lyric Theatre early in his career.
65Had a penchant for martial arts; was known for giving demonstrations at the annual Circus of the Stars (1977), from the 1970s through the 1980s.
66Roberts (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).
67Roberts (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).
68His 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".
69He 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.
70Best 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).
71When 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.
72Recorded a solo album of folk songs on RCA Victor, "Come All Ye Fair and Tender Ladies," in 1962.
73He sang in several episodes of Bonanza (1959) and appeared on 2 record albums with the Bonanza (1959) cast as well as 1 solo album.
74Had a talent for singing, and was especially fond of performing folk music.
75First wife Dr. Vera Mowry was a professor at Washington State University.
76Had one son, Jonathan Christopher Roberts (b. October 1951, d. 1989), with 1st wife Vera Mowry.
77Parents: father, Pernell Elvin Sr.; mother, Betty Roberts.

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Diagnosis Murder1994-1997TV SeriesGeorge Fallon / Dr. Elliott Valin
Checkered Flag1991Andrew Valiant
Donor1990TV MovieDr. Martingale
The Young Riders1990TV SeriesHezekiah Horn
Perry Mason: The Case of the All-Star Assassin1989TV MovieThatcher Horton
Around the World in 80 Days1989TV Mini-SeriesCaptain Speedy
The Night Train to Kathmandu1988TV MovieProf. Harry Hadley-Smithe
Desperado1987TV MovieMarshal Dancey
Trapper John, M.D.1979-1986TV SeriesTrapper John McIntyre
Hotel1983TV SeriesCharles Stanton
Incident at Crestridge1981TV MovieMayor Hill
High Noon, Part II: The Return of Will Kane1980TV MovieMarshal J.D. Ward
The Love Boat1980TV SeriesBrian Mallory
Vega$1978-1980TV SeriesMr. Logan / Pete Sedgewick
Hot Rod1979TV MovieSheriff Marsden
The Night Rider1979TV MovieAlex Sheridan
The Paper Chase1979TV SeriesProfessor Marc Justin
The Immigrants1978TV MovieAnthony Cassala
Centennial1978TV Mini-SeriesGeneral Asher
Quincy M.E.1977-1978TV SeriesDr. Chester Banning / Sheriff Connelly
The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries1978TV SeriesDetective Superintendant Molly / Fire Chief Madison
The Magic of Lassie1978Jamison
The Rockford Files1978TV SeriesB.J. Anderson
Man from Atlantis1977TV SeriesClint Hollister
Westside Medical1977TV SeriesWalt Dahlman
Charlie Cobb: Nice Night for a Hanging1977TV MovieSheriff Yates
The Feather and Father Gang1977TV SeriesMeminger
The Streets of San Francisco1977TV SeriesCharley Finn
Police Woman1977TV SeriesWagner
Most Wanted1977TV SeriesBailey
Baretta1977TV SeriesJohnny Hillman
Switch1977TV SeriesBarnes
Barnaby Jones1977TV SeriesDaniel Matthews
Spencer's Pilots1976TV SeriesPete Sewell
Captains and the Kings1976TV Mini-SeriesBraithwaite
Paco1976Pompiho
Bert D'Angelo/Superstar1976TV Series
Jigsaw John1976TV SeriesRoger
The Six Million Dollar Man1976TV SeriesMark Wharton
Cannon1976TV SeriesCleary / Phil Denton
Bronk1975TV SeriesCollicos
The Wide World of Mystery1975TV SeriesMike
The Lives of Jenny Dolan1975TV MovieCamera Shop Proprietor
Ellery Queen1975TV SeriesRosh Kaleel / Barney Groves / Maj. George Pearson
The Deadly Tower1975TV MovieLieutenant Lee
Medical Story1975TV SeriesDr. Louis Kinoy
Dead Man on the Run1975TV MovieBrock Dillon
Police Story1974-1975TV SeriesSgt. Sal Grosser / Charlie Rivas
Ironside1968-1975TV SeriesHarry Blocker / Frank Vincent
Nakia1974TV Series
The Odd Couple1974TV SeriesBilly Joe
Hawkins1974TV SeriesSenator Griffith
Mannix1973TV SeriesGeorge Fallon
Mission: Impossible1967-1973TV SeriesBoomer / Chief Manuel Corba / Colonel Hans Krim / ...
Marcus Welby, M.D.1971-1973TV SeriesTom Boyd / Roger
Banacek1972TV SeriesMatthew Donniger
Night Gallery1972TV SeriesJoe Bellman / Joe Bellman (segment "The Tune in Dan's Cafe")
The Sixth Sense1972TV SeriesPaul Pettigrew
Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law1972TV Series
Assignment: Munich1972TV MovieC.C. Bryan
Adventures of Nick Carter1972TV MovieNeal Duncan
The Bravos1972TV MovieJackson Buckley
Alias Smith and Jones1971-1972TV SeriesTerence Tynan / Sam Finrock
The Virginian1966-1971TV SeriesStranger / Jim Boyer Sr.
Hawaii Five-O1971TV SeriesLon Phillips
The Name of the Game1969-1971TV SeriesErnie Subich / Hank
The Bold Ones: The New Doctors1971TV SeriesDr. Frank Bartell
The Kashmiri Run1970
San Francisco International Airport1970TV SeriesJim Conrad
Four Rode Out1970U.S. Marshal Ross
The Silent Gun1969TV MovieSam Benner
Lancer1969TV SeriesTheodore Banning
The Big Valley1967-1968TV SeriesEd Tanner / Patrick Madigan
CBS Playhouse1967TV SeriesLenny Marshall
Gunsmoke1957-1967TV SeriesDave Reeves / Nat Pilcher
The Wild Wild West1967TV SeriesSean O'Reilley
Carousel1967TV MovieJigger Craigin
The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.1966TV SeriesJoey Celeste
Bonanza1959-1965TV SeriesAdam Cartwright
The Errand Boy1961Adam Cartwright - Cameo (uncredited)
The Detectives1960TV SeriesRod Halleck
Buckskin1959TV SeriesOscar
77 Sunset Strip1959TV SeriesTony Gray
Bronco1959TV SeriesDave Clayton
One Step Beyond1959TV SeriesSgt. Vaill
Cimarron City1959TV SeriesO'Hara
Lawman1959TV SeriesFent Harley
Ride Lonesome1959Sam Boone
General Electric Theater1958-1959TV SeriesAbner / Phil
Zane Grey Theater1958TV SeriesLew Banning / Jet Mason
Shirley Temple's Storybook1958TV SeriesCount DeSpard / Thorabore / Count Schoenfeld
Northwest Passage1958TV SeriesCaptain Jacques Chavez
Matinee Theatre1957-1958TV SeriesDon John / Hassan
Tombstone Territory1958TV SeriesJohnny Coster
The Sheepman1958Chocktaw Neal
Have Gun - Will Travel1958TV SeriesMaury Travis
Desire Under the Elms1958Peter Cabot
Whirlybirds1958TV SeriesReynolds
Sugarfoot1957-1958TV SeriesDeuce Braden / Salt River Smith
Trackdown1958TV SeriesBannion
Climax!1957TV Series
Kraft Theatre1956TV Series

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
BonanzaTV Series 1 episode, 1964 performer - 3 episodes, 1961 - 1963

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Last Shot2004special thanks

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
FBI: The Untold Stories1991-1993TV SeriesHimself - Host
Realm of the Alligator1986DocumentaryHimself - Narrator (voice)
Circus of the Stars #101985TV Special documentaryHimself
Night of 100 Stars II1985TV MovieHimself
Battle of the Network Stars XII1982TV SpecialHimself - CBS Team Captain
Night of 100 Stars1982TV SpecialHimself
Battle of the Network Stars XI1981TV SpecialHimself - CBS Team Captain
The 33rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1981TV SpecialHimself - Nominee: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
The David Frost Show1972TV SeriesHimself
The Joey Bishop Show1968TV SeriesHimself
The Merv Griffin Show1965TV SeriesHimself
The Ed Sullivan Show1965TV SeriesHimself
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1963-1965TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Hollywood Backstage1964TV SeriesHimself
Chevrolet's Bewitching Bonanza1964ShortHimself
The Match Game1964TV SeriesHimself - Team Captain
You Don't Say1964TV SeriesHimself

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards2011TV SpecialHimself - Memorial Tribute
Pioneers of Television2011TV Mini-Series documentaryAdam Cartwright from Bonanza
The 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards2010TV SpecialHimself - Memorial Tribute
The O'Reilly Factor2008TV SeriesAdam Cartwright (scenes from 'Bonanza')
Television: The First Fifty Years1999Video documentaryAdam Cartwright
Back to Bonanza1993TV MovieAdam Cartwright
TV: The Fabulous Fifties1978TV MovieHimself / Adam Cartwright

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1969BambiBambi AwardsTV Series InternationalBonanza (1959)

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1982Sour AppleGolden Apple Awards
1981Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actor in a Drama SeriesTrapper John, M.D. (1979)

Known for movies

Source
IMDB Wikipedia

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