By Laura Salas
All Cartwrights sang on the 1964 album Christmas at the Ponderosa. Greene even released a single titled “Ringo” that was a huge hit in the U.S. and Canada. Greene also sang the theme song to Bonanza. It has gone on to become one of the most recognizable and popular TV theme songs of all time.
Michael Landon’s real name was Eugene Maurice Orowitz. Initially, Orowitz wanted the screen name, Michael Lane, but another actor already had the name in the Screen Actors Guild. Going back to the ol’ phone book (memba those?) Orowitz stumbled across the name Alf Landon and soon Michael Landon was born. (We would have taken Alf, if we’re being honest.)
Not only were the actors of the show talented in front of the camera, most could sing and four of the Cartwrights contributed to the 1964 Christmas-themed album, Christmas at the Ponderosa. Lorne Greene even had a single, “Ringo,” that became a huge hit in the U.S. and Canada.
American actor and singer Pernell Roberts Jr. played he role of Adam Cartwright, the oldest son. Aside from Bonanza, he had guest-starred in over 60 television series. After working on Bonanza for only 6 years, he decided to leave the show. After that he returned to doing some stage work and appeared on other programs. He retired in the 1990’s, and died in 2010 at the age of 81 following a battle with cancer.
Roberts leaving the show after six years may have surprised viewers, but people behind the scenes knew that Roberts’ politics and lack of regard for the intelligence of the script caused him to detest the show from the beginning.
