Dan Blocker

Dan Blocker was an American actor best known for playing Eric “Hoss” Cartwright on the television series *Bonanza*.

Dan Blocker was an American actor best known for playing Eric “Hoss” Cartwright on the television series *Bonanza*. He became one of television’s most recognisable performers of the 1960s before his death in 1972 at age 43.

Early life

Dan Blocker was born Bobby Don Blocker in De Kalb, Texas, on December 10, 1928. He later lived in other parts of Texas before beginning his professional career. Sources also describe him as having attended college and worked as a teacher before moving into acting.

Acting career

Blocker’s major breakthrough came with the role of Hoss Cartwright on NBC’s *Bonanza*, which made him a familiar television figure for more than a decade. He also appeared in other television productions before and during his run on the series.

Death

Blocker died on May 13, 1972, at age 43 in Los Angeles after complications from gallbladder surgery. The immediate cause of death was a pulmonary embolism or blood clot in the lung.

Legacy

Blocker remains closely associated with *Bonanza* and with the image of the gentle giant character he portrayed. Later biographies and retrospective articles continue to treat him as a significant figure in American television history.