The Long Goodbye (1973) is dedicated to him. Robert Altman, who had directed many early episodes of "Bonanza" (1959), and had become friends with him, had originally cast him in the role of Roger Wade. However, Blocker died before filming commenced, so the role was subsequently filled by Sterling Hayden.
A 1960 "TV Guide" profile said that Blocker still wanted to finish his Ph.D., but in a 1965 interview with Austin, Texas talk show host Richard 'Cactus' Pryor, he said that he longer intended to complete his degree. At the time, "Bonanza" (1959) was coming off its first season as the #1 show in America, a title it would hold for the next two years as part of a then-unprecedented nine straight years in the Top 5. Blocker told Pryor that he worked five days a week from 7AM to 9PM. Since there were 34 episodes in the sixth season (1964-65), there would have been little time to pursue his studies.
All of his children studied karate under Chuck Norris.
Attended and played football for Sul Ross State College, Alpine, Texas, graduating in 1950.
Attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene and played football. After that he entered Sul-Ross State College on a football scholarship, and was an amateur boxer. While at Sul-Ross he not only won the 1949 Best College Acting award for his portrayal of De Lawd in a production of "Green Pastures," but met his future wife, Dolphia Lee Parker, originally from Alpine, Texas.
Best remembered by the public for his role as Hoss on "Bonanza" (1959).
Blocker was approached to play Major "King" Kong in Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) after Peter Sellers was injured. However, according to Terry Southern (co-writer), Blocker's agent rejected the script as being "too pinko".
Campaigned for Lyndon Johnson in the 1964 presidential campaign but later supported Eugene McCarthy, who ran against LBJ for the 1968 Democratic nomination due to McCarthy's opposition to the Vietnam War.
Dan Blocker Beach is a one-mile stretch of the coastline in north Malibu, California, located at 26000 Pacific Coast Highway. It is maintained by the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors.
Father of identical twin daughters, Danna and Debra.
Father of producer David Blocker and actor Dirk Blocker.
Father was a poor Texas farmer who lost the farm after the Depression. His father later went into the grocery business.
Former schoolteacher.
Had four children: Debra Lee, Danna Lynn, David Blocker, and Dirk Blocker.
Hardly the romancer, one touching and acclaimed "Bonanza" (1959) episode had his Hoss character fall in love with a beautiful girl, played by Inger Stevens.
He was an activist liberal Democrat and a staunch opponent of the Vietnam War.
His weight was 14 lbs, at birth, on Monday, December 10th, 1928.
Interred at DeKalb Cemetery, DeKalb, Texas, USA.
O'Donnell is located in the panhandle of West Texas, about 40 miles south of Lubbock, Texas. There is a museum located in O'Donnell dedicated to Mr. Blocker.
Once was considered for a lead role in the movie MASH (1970).