Biography
Pernell Roberts was an American actor, singer and activist. Born Pernell Elven Roberts Jr. on 18 May 1928 in Waycross, Georgia, he died on 24 January 2010 in Malibu, California. He began his career on the stage in the 1950s, appearing in Shakespearean and classical plays in New York before moving to Hollywood.
Roberts co-starred as Sam Boone in the 1959 western film Ride Lonesome. The same year he was cast as Adam Cartwright, the eldest son, in the television series Bonanza, a role he played from 1959 to 1965. He later starred as Dr John McIntyre in the series Trapper John, M.D. (1979–1986) and appeared in numerous guest roles across television series.
He was known for his activism, including participation in the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches and efforts to encourage the hiring of minority actors on television.
