“Pernell Roberts’ Most Shocking Feud Revealed: The 5 Hollywood Stars He Hated the Most—and Why You’ll Never Look at Them the Same Again!”

Hold onto your cowboy hats, folks, because Bonanza’s favorite son, Pernell Roberts, just dropped a bombshell that’s going to leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about Hollywood. Yes, the same actor who played the steady, ever-reliable Adam Cartwright on one of TV’s most beloved westerns was secretly harboring a major grudge against a few of his co-stars. And no, it’s not just your average Hollywood spats—these are next level showdowns, the kind of drama you’d expect to see in every soap opera and yet, it all happened behind the scenes in real life.

So, here’s what you need to know: Pernell Roberts wasn’t afraid to call out some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. In fact, he despised them—and we now have the details that will make you rethink everything about those stars. Trust us, after hearing who made his list, you won’t look at their classic performances the same way again. From rivalries that escalated faster than a bonanza stampede to tensions simmering like a pot of cowboy chili, let’s dive in and find out who Pernell Roberts truly hated the most—and why their careers were forever altered by their feuds with the quiet, principled actor.

The Real Adam Cartwright: Pernell Roberts’ Secret List of Hollywood Enemies

If you’ve ever loved the stoic and steady Adam Cartwright, then you might want to sit down. Because the man who played him, Pernell Roberts, wasn’t just a man of moral character on screen—he had some serious opinions offscreen, and he wasn’t afraid to share them. According to insiders, Roberts wasn’t your typical Hollywood star—oh no. He wasn’t about keeping quiet or playing the fame game. Instead, Roberts made it clear: if you crossed him (even the tiniest bit), he was out—and you’d never get a second chance. This is exactly what happened with some of Hollywood’s most famous names, and let’s just say, the details are juicier than a 1950s Hollywood scandal.

1. Michael Landon: The Golden Boy Who Turned Into the Hollywood Villain

Michael Landon, the wholesome, beloved “Little Joe” from Bonanza, might have been the perfect family man on-screen, but according to Pernell, the man behind the role was a different story. It all started when Landon started getting all the attention—something that didn’t sit well with Roberts, who, despite his “calm” demeanor, was anything but pleased with the rising star’s ego.

Landon, quickly becoming the golden boy of Bonanza, outshone Roberts both in popularity and attention. As Roberts saw it, Landon’s increasing fame was just another example of someone who was charming on camera but completely self-centered off-screen. According to Roberts, Landon’s behavior became less about collaboration and more about “look at me.” Roberts called him “all hat, no soul,” a harsh jab aimed directly at Landon’s personality—a major ego blow to the man who had everyone’s adoration. From Roberts’ perspective, Landon was all about the image and had zero depth beneath the glossy exterior.

The tension between them escalated, and just like that, Pernell Roberts’ friendship with Michael Landon was done. No more family ties on or off-screen. According to insiders, Pernell felt betrayed by the man who had once been his co-star, and he walked away without looking back. Talk about a royal Hollywood falling out!

2. Lorne Greene: The Hollywood Patriarch Who Couldn’t Handle a Real Challenge

Moving on to another family figure—the patriarch of the Cartwrights, Lorne Greene, a man whose off-screen power was almost as impressive as his on-screen character. But Roberts, known for his independent spirit, had a bone to pick with Lorne’s traditional views. According to Pernell, Lorne represented everything that was wrong with the “comfortable” side of Hollywood. He wasn’t interested in questioning scripts or shaking things up—Lorne was fine with the formula. And Roberts? He hated the formula.

For Pernell, Lorne Greene epitomized everything wrong with Hollywood’s “safe” approach to filmmaking: predictable, unchallenging, and stagnant. Roberts was all about pushing boundaries—something Lorne had zero interest in. It wasn’t just about art for Roberts; it was about integrity and challenging the status quo. Sadly, their creative differences strained their relationship, and by the end of the show, Roberts didn’t just leave Bonanza. He left behind a sense of disappointment in Lorne’s conservative approach to the business.

3. James Drury: The Conservative Cowboy Who Wanted to Keep Things ‘Neat’

Next up on Roberts’ no-go list? James Drury, the star of The Virginian—a man whose career would make most actors jealous. However, Roberts wasn’t having any of it. Drury’s conservative views and reluctance to confront “uncomfortable” topics created an ideological clash that turned into full-blown friction between them.

In the 1970s, during a heated debate on TV’s future, Roberts, ever the activist, condemned networks for watering down westerns to avoid controversy. “We’re sanitizing history,” he said, adding, “It’s all fake comfort.” And Drury, a staunch conservative, wasn’t having it. The two actors clashed publicly during a televised panel discussion, and it quickly turned personal. Roberts slammed Drury for being “part of the status quo” and for never taking a stand during the civil rights movement.

While Drury played it safe in the world of TV, Roberts was ready to bring the real world into his art. They were two worlds apart, and it was clear that Drury’s lack of boldness was something that would drive Roberts away for good.

4. Jim Davis: The Old-School Star Who Wasn’t Ready for Roberts’ Boldness

In addition to his public spats, Roberts also had words for the older generation of actors who, according to him, weren’t ready to adapt. One of those classic actors was Jim Davis—the actor who played the lovable “Uncle Jesse” on The Waltons. While Davis was respected in the business, Roberts wasn’t a fan of his old-school methods.

Roberts felt that Davis, like many of his generation, was too comfortable in his ways and unwilling to evolve. “It was either you take chances, or you die,” Roberts would say, referring to the “safe” approach to acting that Davis represented. Clearly, Roberts wasn’t one for “playing it safe” in Hollywood—and Davis’s predictable roles didn’t sit well with him.

5. Robert Stack: The ‘Method Actor’ Who Couldn’t Keep His Ego in Check

And finally, Robert Stack, who famously starred in Unsolved Mysteries and appeared in several westerns. While Stack had his talents, Roberts wasn’t impressed with his “method acting” approach. Roberts always believed in subtlety and restraint in his roles, but Stack’s intense self-absorption rubbed him the wrong way. According to Roberts, Stack’s ego was so big it overshadowed every set they worked on together. “I just couldn’t deal with him,” Roberts admitted. “Every scene became his show, not the story’s.”

For Roberts, humility and dedication to the role were key, but Stack’s method madness—and the inflated sense of self-importance that came with it—drove him up the wall. No surprise, Roberts refused to work with Stack again after their initial clashes.

The Final Word: Pernell Roberts’ Legacy of Integrity

So, there you have it—Pernell Roberts, a man of strong principles, couldn’t stand the egos, the arrogance, and the self-serving behaviors of some of Hollywood’s brightest stars. From Michael Landon’s “charm” to Robert Stack’s method madness, Roberts wasn’t afraid to call it like he saw it.

What makes this list even more fascinating is that, despite all the tension and drama, Roberts remained true to his craft and his convictions. Hollywood can keep its golden boys and rising stars, but Roberts wasn’t afraid to challenge the establishment and stand firm in his beliefs.

He wasn’t about to sit back and be another yes man to a system that prioritized fame over substance. In the end, his uncompromising stance is what truly defined his legacy—not just the iconic roles he played, but the quiet battles he fought behind the scenes. Hollywood may have its legends, but Roberts made sure to remind everyone that integrity should always come first—even when it meant losing some friends along the way.