Dan Blocker is the late American television actor and Korean War veteran. Further, many people also recognized for his role ‘Hoss Cartwright’ in the long-running NBC Western television series ‘Bonanza’. Along with him, the stars like Lorne Greene and Pernell Roberts had also worked in the series.
However, the actor died at the age of 43 because of a pulmonary embolism, blockage(blood-cots) in pulmonary arteries in the lungs, following gall bladder surgery. Let us scroll to discover more information on the late veteran actor and Korean war specialist.
Caption: Dan Blocker
Source: IMDb
Dan Blocker: Bio, Family, Education
The veteran actor was born as ‘Bobby Dan Davis Blocker’ on 10 December 1928 in De Kalb, Texas, the USA. He was born to the parents Ora “Shack” Blocker and Mary Arizona Blocker. Later, they moved to O’Donnell, South Lubbock, West Texas and began to operate a store. No information on his siblings maybe he possibly the single child of his parents.
Moreover, he had attended the Texas Military Institute. After that in 1946, he played football at Southern Baptist-affiliated Hardin–Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Following that year, he transferred to Sul Ross State Teacher’s College in Alpine, Texas. During that time, he became a star football player at the university and graduated in 1950. Thereafter, he spent two years serving in the US military after being drafted during the Korean War. However, after completing his duty, he enrolled himself to collect a master’s degree in dramatic arts.
In addition, while he was still a student, he had worked as a rodeo performer and as a bouncer in a bar. Further, he also worked as a high school English and drama teacher in Sonora, Texas. Moreover, he also served as a sixth-grade teacher and coach at Eddy Elementary School in Carlsbad, New Mexico, from 1953 to 1958.
Dan Blocker: Career & Life Achievements
Before establishing his career as an actor, he already has earned prestigious pride from working in the US military. During his service time in the US Army, he had received Purple Heart along with National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, among other medals.
He began to appear in the screen since 1957, that year he featured in American comedy ‘Three Stooges’ and in series ‘Outer Space Jitters’. Also, he worked in the series like ‘Gunsmoke’, an episode of ‘A Time to Die’, and ‘Colt.45’. He appeared in the guest role in the series like ‘The Restless Gun’, ‘The Rifleman’, ‘The Young Captives’, ‘The Errand Boy’, and ‘Something for a Lonely Man’, among others.
Caption: Blocker with his co-actors in the series ‘Bonanza’.
Source: Pinterest
However, the actor got wide recognition from his role ‘Eric “Hoss” Cartwright’ on NBC series ‘Bonanza’. He appeared in the 415 episodes and portrayed the gentle-natured character in the series. Meanwhile, he also featured in several series and film projects. Some of them are; ‘Come Blow Your Horn’ with Frank Sinatra, ‘Tony Rome’ sequel ‘Lady in cement’.
Gradually, he had also ventured into a food business and started a chain of restaurants, in the name ‘Bonanza Steakhouse’. Therefore, the restaurants were opened partially ownership and appeared as spokesperson of the restaurants and franchise as well.
Dan Blocker: Personal Life, Wife, & Death
Coming over to his personal life, he had married his college sweetheart Dolphia Parker. The couple first met while they were students of Sul Ross State University. But there is not much information on their married date or dating history. However, the couple stayed together since their marriage in 1952 until the demise of Dan.
Together, the duo had welcomed four children; actor Dirk Blocker, Hollywood producer David Blocker, and twin daughters Debra Lee and Danna Lynn. Additionally, his son, David has won a 1998 Emmy for producing ‘Don King: Only in America’.
Caption: The Bonanza actor with his wife, Dolphia Lee Parker and four children.
Source: Pinterest
He was also one of the celebrities who were interested in politics and join the election campaign. He had supported Pat Brown’s re-election for governor of California in 1966. Further, he had backed for former US Senator Eugene J. McCarthy of Minnesota and many more.
Unfortunately, the humble person left the world at the age of 43, on 13 May 1972 in Los Angeles. He died of pulmonary embolism following the surgery of gall bladder. After his demise, his remains were buried in a family plot in Woodmen Cemetry besides his mother, father, and sister.
Dan Blocker: Net Worth & Social Media Profiles
Today also American actor has been remembered as a veteran and prominent actor in the industry. Therefore at the time of his demise, he had a net worth estimated at around $5 million which counts as $25 million in today’s time period. Further, he had made his all fortune from his acting career as well as he had also been drafted to the United States Army during the Korean War.
Speaking of social networking sites at the time of the seventies, then it would be difficult to say because, at that period, the media communications were only television or radios. Other than there were not many options to communicate either it would be manually like newspapers, books, or digitally Screens. So, all these social media platforms were introduced after his demise, otherwise, he surely will be using these media.
Dan Blocker: Body Measurements, Height, Weight
While he was alive, he was remembered for his intimidating size and good-natured human being. Therefore, he has a size of 6 feet 4 inches or 1.93 meters and weighs around 140 kgs. He had a blue eye color with brown frontal less hair.
