Dan Haggerty, who gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of the kind mountain man with a striking beard and his bear friend Ben in the NBC television series and 1974 film “The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams,” passed away on Friday in Burbank, California. His age was 73 years.
Terry Bomar, his manager and friend, stated that spinal cancer was the cause of death.
Dan Haggerty was creating a name for himself in Hollywood as an animal handler and stuntman before landing his famous part. When a producer requested him to appear in a few opening moments for a film about a woodsman and his bear, it was his big break. The plot, which is based on a novel by Charles Sellier Jr., centers on a man who flees to the woods after being wrongfully convicted of murder, becomes friends with the local wildlife, and takes in an abandoned bear.
Haggerty accepted to do the part, but he had one requirement: he had to appear in the whole film. Despite having a relatively low budget of $165,000, the film’s remake brought in close to $30 million at the box office. Because of this popularity, a television series was created, and in February 1977, Haggerty went back to playing the character of the wild and outdoorsy wilderness guardian.
The audience responded well to the show. It lukewarms the heart, as The New York Times’ John Leonard observed in his review. A large lump in the throat and a lot of communing with nature are experienced when a man and a bear hide out in a log cabin. Haggerty won a 1978 People’s Choice Award for being the most well-liked actor in a new series because of the series’ warm and sympathetic tone, which won over a lot of viewers.
The series also yielded two follow-ups: “Legend of the Wild,” which was broadcast on television in 1978 and eventually released in theaters in 1981, and “The Capture of Grizzly Adams,” a 1982 television film in which Adams ultimately exonerates himself of the false charge.
Born in Los Angeles on November 19, 1942, Daniel Francis Haggerty had a difficult upbringing. He had a turbulent childhood, breaking out of military school several times before coming home with his actor-father in Burbank when his parents divorced when he was three years old.
Haggerty was married twice in his personal life. When he was 17, he got married to Diane Rooker, but they later got divorced. In 2008, he lost his second wife, Samantha Hilton, in a horrific motorbike accident. His children, Don, Megan, Tracy, Dylan, and Cody, survive him.
In his debut motion picture, “Muscle Beach Party” (1964), Haggerty portrayed bodybuilder Biff. After that, he played supporting parts in motorcycle and wildlife movies. He was a hippie commune member in “Easy Rider.” He also played the role off-screen, living with a variety of wild creatures he had either tamed or rescued on a small ranch in Malibu Canyon.
His expertise with animals led to positions as an animal trainer and stuntman for television shows including “Daktari” and “Tarzan.” He kept taking on parts like “Where the North Wind Blows” (1974) and “The Adventures of Frontier Fremont” (1976) that highlighted his affinity for the natural world. His love of outdoor parts brought him roles evoking Grizzly Adams to movies like “Grizzly Mountain” (1997) and “Escape to Grizzly Mountain” (2000).
Haggerty had appearances in a number of horror movies later in his career, such as “Terror Night” (1987) and “Elves” (1989). He was involved in court in 1985 and was given a 90-day jail sentence for distributing cocaine to police officers who were undercover.
Tragic incidents also occurred in his life. Haggerty suffered third-degree burns to his arms when a diner carrying a burning drink unintentionally caught his renowned beard on fire in 1977 when he was dining. Despite being admitted to the hospital and supposed to stay for a month, he left after just ten days, claiming to have expertise of curing animals.
“The first couple of days I just lay in the dark room drinking water, like a wounded wolf trying to heal myself,” he said, reflecting on his injury, to People magazine.
TEEN IDOL AND ‘T.J. HOOKER’ LEGEND JAMES DARREN DIES – HOLLYWOOD IN MOURNING
James Darren, the beloved teen idol and star of “T.J. Hooker,” has sadly passed away at the age of 88. His son, Jim Moret, confirmed the unexpected news on Monday, September 2. Details about how Darren died were shared online, providing fans and the public with the unfortunate circumstances surrounding his passing.
James Darren, known for his role as the charming surfer in the classic film “Gidget” alongside the late Sandra Dee, passed away in his sleep at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. His son, Jim Moret, shared that the beloved actor died peacefully during his rest.
James Darren’s son, Jim Moret, revealed that his father had been admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center the week before his passing to undergo an aortic valve replacement. Sadly, James was too weak to go through with the procedure.
The day before James Darren passed away, he was rushed back to the hospital. His son, Jim Moret, said that the family was shocked by his sudden death. Jim explained, “It was kind of a surprise to be quite honest with you. I mean, we knew that he was not well, but we didn’t expect this.”
Jim Moret, who is a chief correspondent for “Inside Edition,” shared that in his father’s final moments, James Darren was able to express his love for his family. James, known for his role in “Gidget Goes to Rome” and his influence on the 1960s surfing craze, passed away peacefully without experiencing any pain.
Jim Moret expressed his deep sadness over his father’s passing, saying, “I always thought he would pull through because he was so cool. He was always cool.” These heartfelt words highlight the remarkable legacy James Darren leaves behind as a beloved singer and teen idol.
James Darren’s son, Jim Moret, shared that his father had a special moment with his grandchildren when they saw him perform at the South Point Hotel in 2018. Jim spoke about how meaningful it was for his children to witness James’ talent and share in those artistic experiences.
Jim praised his father’s impressive skills, saying, “He had the swagger, voice, talent, and charm. Their grandfather was cool.” He admired how James Darren’s success extended beyond acting to music, with several hits on Billboard’s Hot 100.
In 1961, James Darren’s song “Goodbye Cruel World” reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The following year, his hit “Her Royal Majesty” climbed to number six, and “Conscience” also made the chart, landing at number eleven.
In 1961, James Darren’s song “Goodbye Cruel World” reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The following year, his hit “Her Royal Majesty” climbed to number six, and “Conscience” also made the chart, landing at number eleven.
James Darren, known for his success as a singer and actor, also directed popular TV series like “Melrose Place,” “Hunter,” “The A-Team,” and “Beverly Hills, 90210.” He is survived by his sons, Jim, Christian, and Tony Darren, his five grandchildren, and his wife, Evy Norlund.
James Darren, who was also the godfather to Nancy Sinatra’s daughter, A.J. Lambert, received a heartfelt tribute from Nancy Sinatra following his passing. She shared her grief on X, describing James as one of her dearest friends and wishing him a peaceful journey. Nancy also mentioned that it was comforting to know James and other legends are honored together in their hometown.
Our deepest condolences go out to James’ family as they remember an iconic entertainer, loving husband, father, and grandfather.
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