Dan Blocker, a television icon, played the heart and soul of Bonanza for 13 seasons, passing away in 1972 at the age of 43. Bonanza was the most popular TV series of the 1960s, ranking #1 for three consecutive seasons and spending nine seasons in the Top 5.
Blocker's character, Hoss, was initially conceived as a stereotype, but he brought warmth and empathy to the role, making it more relatable. His personal accounts reveal a gregarious and friendly individual who brought that same personality to the character.
Hoss was originally intended to be dull-witted, but Blocker's professional acting career was assured after he moved to California to pursue a PhD at U.C.L.A. He was discovered while making a call in a phone booth while dressed in Western attire, and his success in Bonanza made it impossible for him to complete his PhD.
Born on December 10, 1928, in De Kalb, Texas, Blocker weighed 14 pounds at birth and grew to be 6'4" and 300 pounds. He was a gentle giant with a warm heart and a strong sense of empathy. He lifted a car off a man who was pinned under it after it slid off a jack, and his father used to say that he was too big to ride and too little to hitch a wagon to, making him feel like he was "no good" for anything.
Blocker's father, Ora Blocker, lost the family farm during the Great Depression and later opened a grocery store. Dan attended the Texas Military Institute and Hardin-Simmons University, where he fell in love with acting. He went on to do repertory work in Boston and appeared on Broadway in the 1950-51 production of King Lear.
After serving in the Army during the Korean War, Blocker attended Sul Ross State Teacher's College and earned a master's degree in dramatic arts. He taught English and drama at a Sonora, Texas high school before moving to Carlsbad, New Mexico, where he taught sixth grade. He then moved to California, where he taught school while preparing for his PhD studies.
Blocker's career rise was steady and rapid, and he appeared on many Westerns, including Gunsmoke, Have Gun - Will Travel, The Rifleman, and Maverick. He claimed his turn as Hognose Hughes on Maverick was the seminal role of his career. As Hoss, Blocker would often star in light-hearted episodes on Bonanza.
Bonanza debuted in September 1959 and was shot in color. R.C.A. sponsored the first two seasons, and the show's popularity led to it being shifted to Sundays at 9PM, where it became a ratings phenomenon. Blocker and his co-stars were paid an extremely handsome salary, and they became rich due to the show's success and business ventures.
Blocker's legacy continues to be celebrated, and Bonanza remains a beloved TV series, still being re-run in syndication 40 years after Hoss exited the stage.
