Dan Blocker starred in Bonanza as middle son Hoss Cartwright, who knew his way around a rifle when the moment called for it.

Blocker, aka "The Big 'Un," was always a big, soft-hearted guy. Born Bobby Dan Blocker in DeKalb, Texas, in 1928, he weighed in at a staggering 14 pounds.

Dan Blocker’s tragically early death at 43 was a blow to the entertainment world. Though his filmography was relatively short, his memorable portrayal of Hoss made Blocker a star.

Still, despite the show’s longevity, star Dan Blocker could tell its days were numbered by a certain point into its 14-year run. ‘Bonanza’ aired on NBC from 1959 to 1973 ...

Dan Blocker was a highly decorated war hero. Dan Blocker in Bonanza Moviestore/Shutterstock. The towering 6’4” native Texan was wounded in the Korean War and received the Purple Heart in ...

Charley (Dan Blocker) is the kindly but simple-minded blacksmith who sends a year's earnings back East for a mail-order bride. When he and the town turn out for the woman's arrival at the train ...