SO LONG ADAM

Television fans lost another beloved actor on Sunday, with the passing of Pernell Roberts. His career spanned over four decades, including Broadway and film, but he is best remembered for his work on television. He was also a noted activist, frequently battling networks over their casting of white actors in minority roles, as well as marching alongside Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 60s. Pernell was 81 at the time of his death.

Roberts began appearing on television in the late 50s, but it was his portrayal of Adam Cartwright on Bonanza for six seasons that made him a household name. After leaving the series in 1965, Roberts appeared in numerous popular shows, such as The Big Valley, Mission: Impossible and Gunsmoke, before eventually landing the starring role in his own series in 1979, Trapper John, M.D. A spin-off of the hugely successful sitcom, M*A*S*H, Roberts portrayed Dr. “Trapper” John McIntyre (a role originally played by Elliot Gould in the film adaptation, and Wayne Rogers on the TV series.) Taking place 28 years after the end of Korean War, Trapper served as the Chief of Surgery at San Francisco Memorial Hospital. The series ran for seven seasons. Roberts last television appearance was on Diagnosis Murder in 2001.