Bonanza
American Western television series (1959–1973)
Bonanza chronicles the weekly adventures of the Cartwright family, headed by the thrice-widowed patriarch Ben Cartwright. He had three sons, each by a different wife: the eldest was the urbane architect Adam Cartwright who built the ranch house; the second was the warm and lovable giant Eric "Hoss" Cartwright; and the youngest was the hotheaded and impetuous Joseph or "Little Joe". The family's cook was the Chinese immigrant Hop Sing.
Cast ages at the series premiere (September 12, 1959)
- Lorne Greene, as Ben Cartwright: 44
- Michael Landon, as Little Joe Cartwright: 22
- Dan Blocker, as Hoss Cartwright: 30
- Pernell Roberts, as Adam Cartwright: 31
- Victor Sen Yung, as Hop Sing: 43
- Ray Teal, as Sheriff Roy Coffee: 57
- David Canary, as Candy Canaday: 21
- Mitch Vogel, as Jamie Hunter: 3
- Tim Matheson, as Griff King: 11