Pernell Roberts’ Secret List of Actors He Hated: Behind the Scenes of Hollywood’s Golden Era

Pernell Roberts, best known for his iconic role as Adam Cartwright on Bonanza, was Hollywood’s quiet rebel—never one to conform to the industry’s norms, always driven by a deep sense of personal conviction and integrity. While his career spanned decades and earned him fame as a strong, stoic figure on screen, behind the scenes, Roberts’ honesty and principles often put him at odds with some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Today, we dive into the five actors Roberts famously disliked, revealing the feuds, betrayals, and moral conflicts that shook the industry and shaped his legacy.

1. Michael Landon: The Power Struggle Behind Bonanza

Perhaps the most famous of Roberts’ Hollywood feuds was with his Bonanza co-star, Michael Landon. What started as a respectful, polite relationship quickly soured as Landon’s star began to rise. As Landon gained more control over the show, writing and directing episodes, Roberts grew frustrated with the shifts in the script that seemed to favor Landon’s character, Little Joe.

Ford famously confronted Landon, accusing him of trying to make the show about himself, not about the family dynamic. This confrontation marked the beginning of a rift that only deepened over the years. Landon’s lack of respect for the show’s original vision, according to Roberts, was a deal-breaker. When Roberts left Bonanza in 1965, it was the ultimate act of defiance. He later mocked Landon’s later success, remarking, “It’s more of the same. Still playing cowboy, still playing Saint,” making it clear that their feud had never truly been resolved.

2. Dan Blocker: The Silent Betrayal

Unlike his public feuds with Landon, Roberts’ fallout with Dan Blocker, who played Hoss Cartwright, was more about disappointment than anger. Early on, Roberts and Blocker were close friends, both classically trained actors who cared deeply about their craft. But as Roberts became more vocal about his dissatisfaction with Bonanza’s lackluster storytelling, Blocker remained silent, often mediating between Roberts and the producers rather than supporting his friend’s stance.

This silence became a painful rift for Roberts, who valued honesty and integrity above all. The situation came to a head when Blocker continued to follow the status quo, avoiding confrontation and accepting the show’s shallow approach. Roberts felt betrayed by his lack of support and later remarked that Blocker “had the heart, but not the spine,” a comment that would forever change their relationship.

3. Chuck Connors: The Arrogant Western Star

Pernell Roberts’ feud with Chuck Connors, known for his role in The Rifleman, was rooted in Connors’ arrogance and condescending attitude on set. At a charity gala, Connors’ behavior—snapping at crew members and treating them as if they were beneath him—did not sit well with Roberts, who had a deep respect for everyone working in the industry, from actors to stagehands.

After witnessing Connors’ treatment of a young stagehand, Roberts confronted him backstage, criticizing his behavior. Connors laughed it off, but for Roberts, this was a serious issue—one that spoke volumes about the type of Hollywood star he despised. He later referred to Connors as “all hat, no soul,” a man who appeared charming and heroic on screen but lacked the humility and respect that Roberts held dear.

4. Lauren Green: The ‘Father’ Who Played It Too Safe

The relationship between Pernell Roberts and his Bonanza co-star, Lauren Green, was strained by creative differences. On screen, they portrayed a close father-son relationship, but behind the scenes, Roberts found Green’s adherence to the “safe,” family-friendly formula of the show to be suffocating. Green, who was content with the predictable storylines and conservative approach to their characters, clashed with Roberts’ desire to push the envelope and introduce more complex and socially relevant themes.

Roberts wanted to create drama that reflected real human struggles, not just tidy, feel-good resolutions. Green, however, resisted such changes, valuing stability and a formulaic approach. This creative tension grew into a personal one, and Roberts eventually left the show, famously stating he couldn’t continue being part of a project that was so “predictable.”

5. James Drury: The Silent Conservative

James Drury, best known for his role in The Virginian, found himself in conflict with Roberts not over talent, but ideology. Drury was a conservative figure in Hollywood, advocating for neutrality and avoiding any political engagement in his personal or professional life. Roberts, on the other hand, was vocal about his beliefs, particularly on issues like race and the Vietnam War, and he believed that Hollywood had a responsibility to address these social issues.

Their ideological clash became public during a televised panel on the future of television, where Roberts passionately argued that television should reflect the real world rather than provide “comfort food for the masses.” Drury, in contrast, disagreed, stating that audiences didn’t want political messages, but rather escapism. The disagreement turned personal, and from that moment, the two never saw eye-to-eye again, with Roberts privately criticizing Drury for being silent on crucial issues.

The Legacy of Pernell Roberts: A Man Who Refused to Compromise

Pernell Roberts was not just a talented actor; he was a man of conviction, willing to risk his career and reputation to stand by what he believed in. He left Bonanza at its peak, not because he didn’t love the show, but because he couldn’t bear to be part of a project that no longer aligned with his values. His feuds with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars were not about petty rivalries or personal slights—they were about principle.

Roberts showed the world that it’s possible to maintain your integrity even in an industry built on glamour and compromise. While his outspokenness often put him at odds with others, it’s precisely this boldness that cemented his legacy as one of the most authentic and unapologetic figures in Hollywood history. He may not have been the loudest, but his voice—on screen and off—resonated with truth.