Roberts' professional life was no doubt marvelous. As for his personal one, he married multiple times in his life but only had one offspring.
Pernell Roberts Died in 2010 at 81
The outspoken actor Pernell Roberts who was best known for portraying the role of Adam Cartwright in the TV series "Bonanza" died on 24th January 2010 at his home in Malibu, Calif. Roberts was 81 when he died, as reported.
Roberts was battling with pancreatic cancer for 2 years and his death was confirmed by his wife Eleanor Criswell.
Roberts initially gained stardom alongside Lorne Greene, Michael Landon and Dan Blocker. He played the oldest of Bonanza's three Nevada rancher siblings.
However, Pernell shocked Hollywood by abruptly leaving the show during the peak of its popularity. Meanwhile, the series continued without him as it became the second longest-running TV western in US history, only after Gunsmoke. Blocker and Landon who played Hoss and Little Joe, the younger brothers of Adam in the show, passed away in 1972 and 1991 respectively.
Moreover, Green who played patriarch Ben Cartwright before appearing in Battlestar Galactica died in 1987. It was revealed Roberts' departure from the show was influenced by his disappointment with his character's relationship with Greene's.
Following his exit from the show, the actor made guest appearances in shows such as Hawaii Five-O, Mission Impossible and, Ironside. Furthermore, Pernell played the lead character, Dr. John McIntyre, in the American medical series titled Trapper John M.D., which also happens to be the spin-off of the movie Mash (1970). This further cemented him as a star.
Pernell Roberts; Married To Eleanor Criswell Before his Death
Eleanor Criswell was Pernell Roberts' fourth wife. The couple tied the knot on 24th January 2010. Although very little information is available on the dating years and the married life of this pair, some reports suggest Pernell met Eleanor and her then-husband Thomas Hanna (commonly known as Tom), when they were part of a group that met at Pernell's home.
Apparently, some intellectual discussions were scheduled to take place. This was around the time the actor was on Bonanza. Even after the conclusion of the meeting, Pernell maintained his friendship with Eleanor and Tom.
In 1990, Eleanor's first husband Thomas Hanna died in an automobile accident. After her spouse's death, Eleanor apparently maintained a closer relationship with Pernell. Moreover, she acted as hostess for gatherings that Pernell planned.
Perhaps at some point after Tom's death, the couple fell in love and decided to take their relationship to the next level. It's unsure exactly when they began dating, but it's been reported the lovebirds tied the knot in 1997.
The couple was together for 13 years before Roberts himself passed away. They shared no children together.
Pernell Roberts' Past Marriages
Robert married four times in his life. His first wife was named Vera Mowry. She was a professor of theatre at Washington State University. The couple got married in 1951.
Mowry later joined Hunter College, and subsequently became professor emerita of the Ph.D. program in theatre at the City University of New York. The couple shared a daughter named Jonathan Christopher "Chris" Roberts.
Roberts and Mowry were together for 8 years before splitting in 1959. Chris was Pernell's only child in his life who tragically passed away in a motorcycle accident in 1989.
Pernell married his second wife Judith Anna LeBrecque on 15th October 1962. However, the couple divorced 9 years later in 1971. He later moved on to his third wife Kara knack whom he married in 1972, divorcing 24 years later in 1996.
Pernell Roberts: Wiki
- Born on 18th May 1928 in Waycross, Georgia.
- His birth sign is Taurus.
- His parents are Pernell Elven Roberts Sr. (1907-1980) and Minnie "Betty" Myrtle Morgan Roberts (1910-1988).
- During his school days, he acted in school and church plays as well as sang in local USO shows.
- He served for two years in the US Marine Corps from 1946 to 1948.
- He was skilled at playing sousaphone and percussion.
- He went to the University of Maryland but did not graduate.
- He made his professional stage debut at the Olney Theatre in Olney, Maryland.
- He moved to Washington, D.C. in 1950.
- He performed at Arena Stage, during which he supported himself with a variety of jobs.
- In 1952, he moved to New York where he appeared at the Lyric Theatre performing operas and ballets.
- He made his film debut in the movie Desire Under the Elms (1958).
- He made over sixty television guest appearances.
- He was known as a proud political activist.
- His net worth was estimated to be $10 million.
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