Blocker was born Bobby Don Blocker in De Kalb in East Texas, the son of Mary (née Davis) and Ora Shack Blocker. His family moved to O'Donnell, located in both Lynn and Dawson counties near Lubbock in west Texas, soon after his birth. He played football at Hardin-Simmons University in 1946. He attended Texas Military Institute and later graduated from Sul Ross State Teacher's College in Alpine, where he earned a master's degree in the dramatic arts. (Although the "Hoss" character on Bonanza was conceived initially as lovable but slow-witted, Blocker was the only cast member with an advanced degree.)
Blocker was a high school English and drama teacher in Sonora, Texas, Carlsbad, New Mexico and California. He reportedly worked as a rodeo performer and as a bouncer in a beer joint while a student. By all accounts he is remembered from his school days for his size of 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) and weight of 300 pounds (136 kg), and as being good-natured despite his intimidating size.
Stanley Kubrick attempted to cast Blocker in his film Dr. Strangelove, after Peter Sellers elected not to add the role of Major T.J. "King" Kong to his multiple other roles, but according to the film's co-writer, Terry Southern, Blocker's agent rejected the script. The role subsequently went to Slim Pickens.
In 1957, Blocker appeared in a Three Stooges short, Outer Space Jitters, having portrayed the part of "The Goon," billed as "Don Blocker." He also was seen in a 1958 episode of Walt Disney's Zorro, "The Señorita Makes a Choice". Also in 1957, Blocker appeared as a bartender in an episode of the syndicated western-themed crime drama Sheriff of Cochise, starring John Bromfield.
In 1959, as Bonanza was beginning, Blocker guest-starred in an episode of the Keenan Wynn and Bob Mathias NBC series The Troubleshooters, an adventure program about unusual events surrounding an international construction company. In 1968, Blocker starred with Frank Sinatra in the "Tony Rome" film sequel Lady In Cement.
Director Robert Altman befriended Blocker while directing episodes of Bonanza. Years later, he cast Blocker as Roger Wade in The Long Goodbye. Unfortunately, Blocker died before filming commenced. The role went to Sterling Hayden and the film was dedicated to Blocker.
Blocker played the "middle son" on the long-running NBC television series, Bonanza. The actor who played his elder brother, Pernell Roberts, was born seven months before Blocker, although they were born in the same year. Blocker said he portrayed the Hoss character with a Stephen Grellet excerpt in mind: "We shall pass this way on Earth but once, if there is any kindness we can show, or good act we can do, let us do it now, for we will never pass this way again."
Blocker received partial ownership in a successful chain of Ponderosa/Bonanza Steakhouse restaurants in exchange for serving (in character as Hoss) as their commercial spokesman and making personal appearances at franchises.
Blocker was drafted into the Army and served in the Korean War as a First Sergeant. He later married Dolphia Parker, whom he had met while a student at Sul Ross State. All of their four children's names begin with a 'D': actor Dirk Blocker, producer David Blocker and twin daughters Debra Lee (artist) and Danna Lynn.
Blocker once owned an authentic 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 (with the sought-after Z16 option) as Chevrolet was the commercial sponsor of the show. His Chevelle, now in private hands, is sometimes displayed in car shows. He was also the owner of a 1965 Huffaker Genie MK10 race car, nicknamed the "Vinegaroon." The car was run by Nickey Chevrolet in the 1965 and 1966 U.S. Road Racing Championship series, as well as the 1966 Can-Am championship.[3]
A Free Methodist, Blocker was among Hollywood celebrities who supported then U.S. Senator Eugene J. McCarthy for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968. McCarthy was an outspoken opponent of the Vietnam War. McCarthy's strong performance in the New Hampshire primary helped to persuade President Lyndon B. Johnson to abandon his reelection bid. Blocker later supported the eventual Democratic Party nominee, Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey from Minnesota, for the presidency against the Republican Richard M. Nixon. Blocker so opposed the Vietnam War that he uprooted his family in 1970 and moved to Switzerland in protest. He kept a house in Inglewood, California and commuted to NBC. His 6,000-square foot Tudor style mansion in the Hancock Park area of Los Angeles is currently owned by Rob Zombie.[4] On a television interview Zombie claims to have had encounters with Blocker's ghost, though he may have been joking.
[edit]Death
On May 13, 1972, Blocker died suddenly of a pulmonary embolism following routine gall bladder surgery in Los Angeles (essentially, a post-op blood-clot to the lungs). The cast and crew of Bonanza were shaken by his death, and the writers took the then-unusual step of referencing a major character's death in the show's storyline that autumn. Bonanza lasted another season, but the final season in which Blocker did not appear is the least-requested in reruns.
Blocker is buried in a family plot in DeKalb, although he lived there only briefly. The common gravesite is marked by a plain stone with the name "BLOCKER" engraved, and three family members are buried beside him.
Bonanza
Dan Blocker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hand in hand we built this land, the Ponderosa Ranch
Our birthright is this Cartwright bonanza
We here belong, and standing strong, wrong ain't got a chance .
Day by day, work or play, ready side by side
Hello friend, come on in, the gate is open wide
Bound to be a fightin' free bonanza,
Every tree and flower is part of our bonanza
The stars at night, the morning light, water in the branch
We ride along four men strong together
Every plain and ridge is our heritage: Ponderosa Ranch
Day by day, work or play, ready side by side.
Hello friend, come on in, the gate is open wide.
Bound to be a fightin' free bonanza,
Singing pines of boundary lines for the Ponderosa Ranch.
The lyrics to Dan Blocker's song Bonanza are a tribute to the Ponderosa Ranch, which is the setting for the popular TV series of the same name. The opening verse speaks to the sense of pride that the Cartwright family holds for the land they have built; the "claim we hold is as good as gold" suggests that this is more than just a physical property or piece of real estate, but something that represents their heritage and legacy. The chorus further emphasizes this idea, affirming that they "belong" here and will continue to stand strong, protecting their property and way of life.
As the song continues, we get a sense of the everyday rhythms of life on the Ponderosa Ranch - the work that must be done, the friendships that are formed, and the joys of being able to live in harmony with nature. The second verse highlights the beauty of the land, with references to trees, flowers, stars, and water, all of which are part of the family's "bonanza." The repeated refrain of "day by day, work or play, ready side by side" underscores the idea that the Cartwrights are a tight-knit group who work together to maintain and protect their land.
Overall, "Bonanza" is an ode to the American West and the idea of rugged individualism. The Cartwright family is not just a group of settlers or homesteaders, but people who have carved out a place for themselves in the world and are fiercely protective of their way of life. The song captures the sense of pride, strength, and companionship that defines the western spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
The claim we hold is as good as gold, bonanza
We have a valuable property or resource, like a mine, that we claim as our own and can profit from, just like finding gold in a bonanza.
Hand in hand we built this land, the Ponderosa Ranch
We have worked together to construct and develop the Ponderosa Ranch, from the ground up.
Our birthright is this Cartwright bonanza
Ownership and control of the Ponderosa Ranch have been passed down to us as our inheritance, as members of the Cartwright family.
We here belong, and standing strong, wrong ain't got a chance
We feel a strong sense of belonging and will stand together united, even amid adversity or opposition.
Day by day, work or play, ready side by side
We are always prepared to work or play together, as a team, every single day.
Hello friend, come on in, the gate is open wide
We are welcoming and hospitable to friends and visitors, opening our gates wide to all who wish to enter.
Bound to be a fightin' free bonanza
We are fiercely independent and spirited, always ready to stand up for our rights to this land and our way of life.
Singing pines of boundary lines for the Ponderosa Ranch
The tall pine trees stand watch over the boundaries of the Ponderosa Ranch, signaling our determination to maintain our hold on this land.
Every tree and flower is part of our bonanza
The natural beauty of this land is ours to appreciate and protect, making each tree and flower a valuable part of our bonanza.
The stars at night, the morning light, water in the branch
We are grateful for the bounty of nature that surrounds us, including the stars at night, the light of day, and the life-giving water that flows through our land.
We ride along four men strong together
As four men of the Cartwright family, we ride out together to face whatever challenges may come our way.
Every plain and ridge is our heritage: Ponderosa Ranch
The land of the Ponderosa Ranch is not just our property, but our heritage, a symbol of our family's history and values.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAY LIVINGSTON, RAY EVANS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hunterace9235
Buddy I too am a senior now as
well! Yes Sir this world sure is so
different! But we’ll get through this
because that’s what we do! Strong
as nails and unwilling to compromise what’s right! Gentle
to no fault of our own! Proud to
get that door for you, type people!
As long as You and I exist we stand in the gap in trusted Honor
to protect one and all. We will stop
this nonsense because where we
come from no one gets sucker punched! Not in America! Buddy
honestly we, know, respect and understand what a Woman is! And
in our America we teach young boys to be respectful, mature brave, honest MEN! You take care
and have a good day always! God
Bless You Sir! 🫡Peace unto you!
@hunterace9235
Buddy I too am a senior now as
well! Yes Sir this world sure is so
different! But we’ll get through this
because that’s what we do! Strong
as nails and unwilling to compromise what’s right! Gentle
to no fault of our own! Proud to
get that door for you, type people!
As long as You and I exist we stand in the gap in trusted Honor
to protect one and all. We will stop
this nonsense because where we
come from no one gets sucker punched! Not in America! Buddy
honestly we, know, respect and understand what a Woman is! And
in our America we teach young boys to be respectful, mature brave, honest MEN! You take care
and have a good day always! God
Bless You Sir! 🫡Peace unto you!
@uncoveredfiles12345
Thanks for visiting The Uncovered Files Channel! I hope you enjoy the video! What was your favorite episode of Bonanza?
@melvinyoung3474
😊
@SilentNoMore64
How about making a video that follows the title. If I wanted Hoss' biography, I would have searched for it. Geez.
@jlove7723
You got some cheap clicks, I hope you are happy, cause you will need them going forward.
@torineg.847
Texas Military institute ???
@maureencora1
Hoss Helping Out a Black Family with a Chicken Ranch. Heaven is for Heroes, May He R.I.P.
@paulgrimm
Nobody could replace Dan Blocker.He was bigger than life ❤
@sidgreenblatt5998
Very true. A pilot episode following Blocker's death Trileptal tested Curley Joe Besser in the Hoss role. Besser had replaced ,Curly of the ,Three Stuges following his death. However the chemistry, and role was not a good fit for Besser.
@3flyte_3flyte
Dan had a heart of gold...a gentle, kind man. I don't think he had the heart to hit people playing football, even though I know he would have been great. His character Hoss Cartwright is the same person as Dan Blocker. He was genuine; the real deal. Dan was the ideal cowboy.
@adambaum9732
Dan Blocker was a Blockhead! 💀👻😆