Spouse: Dan Blocker (m. 19521972) Since the Bonanza actor passed, much hasnt been heard about his wife in the public domain. Memories of the good-times became bitter-sweet in retrospect. Dan Blocker tragically died at the age of 43. [12] Bonanza co-star Michael Landon said years later that whenever he needed to cry for a scene, he would think of Dan Blocker's death. No one saw it coming. Landon explained that they wanted to mention Hoss death in passing, and although that approach might not have been the kind of memorial episode that some fans had hoped for, he believed that Dan blocker would have wanted it that way short and sweet and to the point. Even though he was just 12, hed already proven himself. Bobby Dan Davis Blocker (December 10, 1928 - May 13, 1972) was an American television actor and Korean War veteran. He decided to fall back on acting to make more money. Unfortunately, Dan Blocker died of a post-op pulmonary embolism before the show ended. Age: 91 years old Everyone on set that day knew that the two actors werent simply method acting. Although Dans fame rubbed off on her and left many wanting to know more about Dolphia, she largely stayed off the limelight. And while Williams sadly is no longer with us, Pam Dawber is still alive and well. Advertisement Dan Blocker was an American TV actor and war veteran famous for playing Hoss Cartwright in NBC Western television series "Bonanza." Dan Blocker, otherwise called Bobby Dan Davis Blocker was an American on-screen performer and a resigned fighter. It was a massive loss to the Bonanza cast and crew because it wasn't only the viewers alone who loved Blocker. After going under the knife, Blocker felt like he was in the clear. January 27, 2023, 7:28 pm, by Even though growing up with a famous father stripped Dirk of any desire for fame, his acting talent has brought him a successful career in Hollywood. David Blocker (brother) Dennis Dirk Blocker (born July 31, 1957) is an American actor. When it came time to live a quiet life away from oil country drama and space battles, Lorne Green went on to host the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade with Betty White herself. The cause of death: drowning. He spent some time in the military and worked as a teacher before eventually turning to a career as an actor. When the auto-complete results are available, use the up and down arrows to review and Enter to select. She was born on a ranch in Oklahoma, where her parents raised quarter horses. [2], The writers of Bonanza took the unusual step of referencing a major character's death in the show's storyline that autumn. March 29, 2021, 4:49 am, by Hop Sings marriage still stood out, though, as did Victor Sen Yungs impressive filmography, which spans 160 titles. For all his work, Canary won 5 daytime Emmy awards out of a whopping 16 nominations. Director Robert Altman befriended Blocker while directing episodes of Bonanza. Happy 93rd birthday" one fan writes. Lorne Green, who played Ben Cartwright in the series, said he could barely put his shock into words. Alongside her husband, they had four children up to his death in 1972. [citation needed]. Dont let his age fool you, though. While not much is known about her twins, it is said that one of them is an artist. As an adult; he weighed 145 kg or 320 lbs, towering at 6 feet 4 inches or 193 cm. Upon his graduation, Dan Blocker and his friend Dennis Reed joined the summer stock circuit. Once w. Unfortunately, though, he succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 1991 at the age of 71. Bonanza's "Hoss" died in 1972. Over the course of his career, hed essentially become Sheriff Roy Coffee from Bonanza: experienced, enduring, irreplaceable no matter what. Pernell Roberts, the outspoken actor who played Adam Cartwright, the thoughtful eldest son on television's seminal western series "Bonanza" and who was the last surviving member of the . The conclusion of Bonanza and how the way it addresses is absolutely uncommon at the time. Outside of work, he put his preaching into constructive action by participating in the march from Selma to Montgomery. A post shared by Bonanza (@bonanza_1959_1973). On May 13, 1972, after 13 seasons of playing Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright, the even-tempered, gentle-giant, second son of Ben Cartwright on NBC's Bonanza, actor Dan Blocker suddenly and tragically died. His father was Ora Shack Blocker and his mother was Mary Arizona Blocker (ne Davis). Who is Dan Blocker? He was survived by his wife and four children who inherited his wealth. Blocker was put in a heart and lung machine that was all that was keeping him alive while Dr. Rosenberg tried every method he knew to save the star's life. Dan Blocker was an American actor best known for his role as Hoss Cartwright on the NBC television series Bonanza. Blocker passed on May 13, 1972, in Los Angeles because of a pneumonic embolism following nerve bladder surgery. After 13 seasons of playing Hoss Cartwright, . Moving to Pittsburgh and formed a band, Vogel got happily married and had two kids. Another touching scene involves Joe kneeling at his deceased wife's grave, saying, "I love you." But by far the most . He was 72 and left behind a legacy that transcended time and space. Originally from Bowie County, Texas, Blocker arrived in Los Angeles in 1958 planning to do post-grad work at UCLA but began getting acting roles. When he passed, the producers didnt think anyone would be able to continue his role; so they had to kill his character off. It relieves to know that he wont have to deal with that kind of pain anymore. For Roberts, the show felt less like a labor of love and more like something on an assembly line. He arrives at burning homestead long after she's been killed, rushes over in pure terror, and futilely tries to rescue her while screaming "ALICE!" [3][4], In addition to the Purple Heart, Blocker received the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with two bronze campaign stars, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Service Medal, Korean War Service Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge. Together with her husband, they raised four children until his death in 1972. The rest of the episode covers the aftermath of the horrific event. Blocker was a high-school English and drama teacher in Sonora, Texas, from 1953 to 1954;[1] a sixth-grade teacher and coach at Eddy Elementary School in Carlsbad, New Mexico, and then a teacher in California. Their names are Debra, Dana, David, and Dirk. January 19, 2022, 6:17 pm, by In 1958 he was cast in a recurring role in "Cimarron City," which was canceled after one season. Dan and Dolphia tried to raise their children like anyone else, but Dan's popularity made it hard to live an everyday family life. Your email address will not be published. He died from a pulmonary embolism (a post-operative blood clot to the lungs) following a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gall bladder. Get the best viral stories straight into your inbox! His wife quickly drove him to the hospital, and later in the day, he died unexpectantly. He Met His Wife In College and They Got Married In 1952 image source The talented actor was married to Dolphia Lee Parker. Set during the 1860s, this show could give audiences some lighthearted laughs and confront them with serious topics seamlessly. All Rights Reserved. Actor Dan Blocker found fame after a teaching career but wanted his wife and children to live a life as usual as possible. Not too long after that Ben is staring at a picture of Hoss on Joes dresser with immense sadness in his eyes. When the Cartwrights started as rude to guests, Greene suggested making them more welcoming, especially since their business served the greater community. Reportedly, Landon didnt like having competition in the cute department and rumor has it he had Williams booted from the show. Everyone agreed that the last season lacked Dan's presence so much that the producers decided to call it a quit. The show was a success due to its excellent writing and directing. Fast forward to the present day and hes in his mid-60s living in Southern California, using his acting experience to direct and act in church plays. ___________________________________________________________ Dolphia Parker, the mother of Hollywood actor Dirk Blocker, was the wife of Dan Blocker, the American Korean War veteran and well-known actor Dan Blocker. As soon as the cameras started rolling and production commenced, everyone was sitting around sharing their favorite memories of Blocker. September 14, 2021, 5:02 am, Way back in 1980, Dolly Parton sat down with Chet Flippo of Rolling Stone magazine for what she thought was just going to be a typical interview. Is sexism still alive today? So, it shouldnt really be that big of a surprise that, with numbers like those, celebrities would face the same risk of dying [] More, The Tragic Death of Dan Blocker Ended Bonanza, Scientists Discovered Evidence That Exposes An Ancient Lie About Woolly Mammoths, Handlers Thought This Owl Was Male For 23 Years Then He Laid An Egg, This Baby Elephant Decided To Spend His Last Days Alongside This Creature, Woman Adpots Tiny, Adorable Puppy. In 1940, he enrolled in Hardin-Simmons University and Sul Ross State University . He was survived by his wife and four children who inherited his wealth. Blocker had four children during his lifetime. Age, Career, Net Worth, Children, Other Facts About Vanessa Lewis, Who Is Imani Showalter? And behind the powerful legacy of Bonanza was a powerful cast. Dolphia Parker, mother of the Hollywood actor Dirk Blocker was the wife of the American Korean War veteran and famous actor Dan Blocker. Unfortunately, the actor died at the age of 43. ', Liam Neeson's Sons, Who Became Semi-Orphaned on Mother's Passing, Experienced 'Double Pressure' Growing Up, Melissa Sue Anderson Declared Love for Mike Landon - She Was Shaken When He Had Affair with a Teen, Twins Send Dad to Nursing Home, Learn He Left Inheritance to Janitor Who Is Their Carbon Copy Story of the Day, Pierce Brosnan Suffered Cruelness as a Child after Mom and Dad Left Him: It Was Ugly', Michael Douglas Told Catherine Zeta-Jones He Would Father Her Kids during 1st Meeting despite Their 25-Year Gap, Michael J Fox Was Isolating Himself From Wife of 34 Years & Kids - She Helped Him to Become Part Of Family Again. He was subsequently discharged from the army on September 23, 1952, and two days later, he married Dolphia. This was historic as it was the first time TV show producers would script the death of a young major character in a show. Throughout Monroe and Kennedys alleged affair, Lawford supposedly acted as a liaison for the President. Rest in peace. Smiling, optimistic, and hopeful for the future, the next he is dead in the blink of an eye. His autopsy confirmed that he suffered a pulmonary embolism a blood clot traveled to his lung and blocked one of his arteries. Hassan A few years after the actor passed on, his co-star on Bonanza, Michael Landon related that in addition to being a lovable huge man, Dan Blocker was also as tough as he was sturdy. BLOCKER'S UNTIMELY DEATH SHOCKED FELLOW ACTORS. What Is Vin Diesels Ethnicity and Nationality? When the pottery kiln broke, Sen Yung passed away on October 31, 1980. After a while, the whole family moved again to California. The film starring Claire Foy focuses on Diana and her husband Robin (played by Andrew . TV Guide, December 612, 1969, pp A-63 A-64, Last edited on 26 February 2023, at 23:19, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, "Dan Blocker: Teacher, Korean War Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, Actor and Restaurant Franchise Owner", "Korean War Vets Made Their Names On Screen", Dan Blocker Star of TV's Bonanza is Dead at 43, The Palladium-Item, May 16, 1973, The First Time a TV Show Addressed the Death of a Character, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dan_Blocker&oldid=1141813710, Olaf Burland / Jub Buckstar / John 'El Bruto' / Fred Burgermen / Ike Burnett. Lauren Shulkind Is Tony Dows Wife: Everything We Know About Her, Mara Cecilia Botero Remained With David Stivel Till his death, Other Facts About Her, Louise Paxton: The Life Of Bill Paxtons Wife Since His Death, Kosheno Moore-Everything To Know About Shemar Moore's Sister. He remained in Texas and later gained employment as a school teacher. Who Is His Spouse or Partner? Some of his popular works include Frailty (2001), Into the Wild (2007), and Don King: Only in America (1997). As you can imagine, Dans passing was hard for the cast and crew of Bonanza to come to terms with. At the time of his death, Blocker was estimated to be worth $1 million, which amounts to about $25 million today. Bonanzas time-slot had been switched from its popular 9 pm Sunday night position to Tuesday nights at 8. July 2, 2021, 6:38 am, by James Daniel Sundquist Is Jimi Hendrixs Son Also A Musician? [citation needed], In 1957, Blocker appeared in a Three Stooges short, Outer Space Jitters, playing the Goon, billed as "Don Blocker". Between acting jobs, Dirk earned his bachelor of arts degree so he could teach learners. More like this Golden Age Of Hollywood Hollywood Stars Classic Hollywood Old Hollywood John Wayne Quotes John Wayne Movies Celebrity Couples Celebrity Weddings Celebrity Photos The show's cancellation freed Blocker to feature as Hoss Cartwright in the show "Bonanza." He is in recovery and develops a pulmonary embolism a blockage of an artery in his lung and dies. From expensive cars to enormous mansions to copious quantities [] More, While Peter Lawford might the least well-known member of the Rat Pack, he is sometimes referred to as the Man Who Kept The Secrets due to his secretive efforts to connect Marilyn Monroe and his brother-in-law JFK. A bit before this Lucille Balle and Desi Arnaz had made history thanks to their multi-ethnic relationship. One of his most notable projects was 'Baa Baa Black Sheep.' . There, Greene once again played a patriarch, Adama, who lead a motley crew of survivors fleeing war with robots and reptiles. Born on May 18, 1928, Pernell Roberts played the eldest Cartwright boy, Adam. Full name: Dolphia Lee Parker He Met His Wife In College and They Got Married In 1952. One minute he was here. They got married on the 3rd of November 1990, and their union has been blessed with at least two children. But filming the Forever episode, despite how emotionally pulling it is, is quite cathartic for everyone entails. He was 65. They welcomed four children together who also had names beginning with 'D' -- David, twin daughters. Happy Valentines Day! No one wanted to miss a chance to see TV Guides 2nd Favorite Dad. American actors Michael Landon, Dan Blocker, and Pernell Williams, and Canadian actor Lorne Green, for the television program, 'Bonanza,' in 1965. Additionally, Williams joined after coming off the stellar fame as the titular character of Zorro from the show. His co-stars and crew members loved him too. In 1972, a year before his death, Blocker and his family move to Switzerland because he didnt like US involvement in the Vietnam war. Marital Status: Single So, Landon used this knowledge to try his hand at it himself on-set. And so [] More, Sex, Drugs, and Rock n Roll. However, many audience members didnt realize that. Still, the first scene that they shot after his death was the hardest. Blocker is only 43 when he passes . Your email address will not be published. He loves by cast and crew alike. Dan Blocker met his wife, Dolphia Parker, while at college. Info on Celebs love life, marriages, divorces, partners, exes, and lifestyle. Years later, he cast Blocker as Roger Wade in The Long Goodbye, but Blocker died before filming began. He was most known for his acting career and his role in NBC western television series. In 1947, he transferred to Sul Ross State Teacher's College in Alpine, Texas, where he was a star football player, and graduated in 1950. Dolphia was only 20 years old when she became Blockers wife and their marriage lasted for two decades. When he and his henchmen come to Alices house to try and collect on her brothers debt, she refuses to comply with their demands. Together, the couple had four kids in addition to a daughter from Noe's previous marriage. Alice Harper replies by saying that he must have loved him very much. One of them is Mitch Vogel (66), who played the orphan boy "Jamie Hunter" - he is retired from acting and works as a businessman today. Quickly, though, his physicality and roots made him perfect for several westerns. The role went to Slim Pickens, who played the iconic scene of riding an atomic bomb down while waving his cowboy hat. Dan Blocker as Eric "Hoss" Cartwright: Dan Blocker was a big guy, weighing about 320 pounds when they picked him for the role. The emotion kicks in shortly after Little Joe's new wife, Alice, who just announced she was pregnant is killed by a ruthless gambler, and her body left to burn. Fans offer Dirk and the rest of his family support. His wife and daughter were by his side when he died, and his sons were traveling in Europe. He was married to his wife Dolphia right from 1952 up until his death tore them apart. He regularly speaks about his love for her. Together, they ran a grocery store in downtown ODonnell. Required fields are marked *. Dan Blocker and wife, Dolphia Parker..sadly, Blocker was lost so young, leaving Parker a widow to raise their children. Facts Verse Read Also:Louise Paxton: The Life Of Bill Paxtons Wife Since His Death. Mitch Vogel, who plays James in the last seasons of Bonanza describes him as approachable. This includes his salary from his work as an actor, producer, and director. However, there are reports that suggest she was born on an Oklahoman ranch where her parents bred quarter horses. Notwithstanding his intimidating stature, Blocker was loved by his peers due to his likeable persona. Thats it, he told his wife Its finished. He has brown hair and blue eyes, his height is 5ft 9ins (1.75m) and he weighs around 185lbs (85kgs). Thats certainly not to say that the rest of the cast werent necessary additions as well. He had basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and served as an infantry sergeant in F Company, 2nd Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division in Korea, from December 1951 to August 1952. [2], Blocker was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War. Anyway, he was later convinced to go to the hospital for a proper checkup and was subsequently asked to refrain from riding for several weeks. He is remembered from his school days for his height of 6ft 4in (1.93m) and weight of 300lb (140kg), and for being good-natured despite his intimidating size. Date of birth: 1932 Alice Harper and little Joe marry and are expecting a child when evil comes knocking at their door. In 1951 on Christmas Eve, Blocker and his squad were trapped by the enemy on Hill 255 for 10 hours. Then, they broke up when he began an affair with makeup artist Cindy Clerico. pauline hanson dancing with the stars; just jerk dance members; what happens if a teacher gets a dui But the shows [] More, You might remember her as Mindy in the off-beat yet endearing 70s and 80s sitcom Mork and Mindy. Dont worry, though. The role then went to Sterling Hayden, and the film was dedicated to Blocker. Dirk's age is 63. Tap the bell icon to turn on notifications, and stay tuned to find out not only how Hoss died, but what Bonanza was like without him. Blocker said he portrayed the gentle-natured Hoss character with a Stephen Grellet statement in mind: "We shall pass this way on Earth but once, if there is any kindness we can show, or good act we can do, let us do it now, for we will never pass this way again."[5]. Blockers death was historic and in many ways, the world of network television was never the same. From a money pit 100 feet deep to Shakespearean manuscripts, the legendary finds on Oak Island have kept it in the news for centuries. It is close to five decades since the American actor passed on but thanks to how popular he was, people continue to inquire into the circumstances surrounding his death and what his widow has been up to, leaving those who didnt witness his career to wonder whats the big deal about the man. His remains take to Woodmen Cemetery in his hometown of De Kalb, Texas where his family holds a private funeral and laid him to rest beside his father, mother, and sister. And through it all, they made television history by confronting racism and showing an interracial marriage. I try to keep the family normal, unaffected by Father's so-called celebrity. So, she was roughly 40 years old when she became a widow and could have remarried if she wanted to. She was a loving wife, mother, Mawmaw and . Going by that, since their marriage lasted for almost two decades, it is safe to say she was around 40 years when she lost her husband. Roughly a quarter million of these unlucky souls sustain injuries so severe that they end up dying. She was reportedly on the stage crew of the play Arsenic and Old Lace. After starring in Texas Detour (1978), Vogel took his own detour from acting. [13], Blocker's remains were interred in a family plot in Woodmen Cemetery, in De Kalb, Texas. Blocker died suddenly in 1972 at the age of 43 after undergoing surgery. Dan Blockers remains were buried in a family plot at the Woodmen Cemetery in his home city of De Kalb, Texas. He got married to his wife Dolphia Lee Parker in 1952, and they had four kids together. At the time of his death, Blocker was estimated to be worth $1 million, which amounts to about $25 million today. Dan Blocker graduated from college with a degree in speech and drama in 1950. Advertisement Dan Blocker met his wife, Dolphia Parker, while at college. But Roberts didnt share that pride. While Blocker watched the play, he was mocking cast members, and Parker was forced to ask him to leave the auditorium. His current works are the Baseball Card Adventures and My Weird School. Rest in peace. But Bonanza helped the then-22-year-old Landon become a television icon on screen and behind the directors camera. He had plenty of success even after this casting debacle, playing the father of the Robinson family on the smash hit, Lost in Space. In 1946, Blocker played soccer at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Dirk married Danielle Aubuchon in 1990, and they have two children together. Dirk Blocker is an American actor and author who has a net worth of $4 million. For reference, that totals up to 431. Twins Debra Lee and Danna Lynn were born in 1953. Jun 7, 2013 - Dan Blocker and wife, Dolphia Parker..Sadly, Blocker Was Lost So, So Young, Leaving Parker A Widow to Raise Their Children.We Love You, Hoss. See Appearances by Candy Canaday Two years after . Nationality: American Dan Blocker did not make it to the 14th and final season of the series that made him popular. [9][bettersourceneeded], On the 2010 PBS special, Pioneers of Television: Westerns, actor Mitch Vogel, who played adopted brother Jamie Cartwright on Bonanza, said Blocker, "was so easy to get to knowthe kind of guy you could go and have a beer with. His role in Marlon Brandos The Wild One proved a little more laid-back than a keeper of the peace; there, he played a rather indulgent bar owner. Indeed, Blocker was the life of Bonanza as the show only lasted for just one more season after his death. His remains were interred in Woodmen Cemetery in De Kalb, Texas beside his family members who preceded him in death. After a year, he switched to Sul Ross State Teachers College in Alpine, Texas where he continued to excel as a football star. He was a talented football player and so he played college football at HardinSimmons University, a private Baptist university in Abilene, Texas. Dan Gable was born on October. Blocker remained a doting father who tried to spend as much time with his children. He would end up having to fight an even tougher battle [] More, What could be more mysterious than an island filled with buried treasure? Majorly through his exploits in acting, Dan Blocker accumulated quite an enviable amount of wealth for himself. He also appeared in The Rifleman. They meet when he rescues her gambling brother John from a poker game gone awry. With her husbands rising fame, it was reportedly difficult to raise the kids in normalcy. But she ended up spilling the beans on one of the most embarrassing chapters of her life instead. Does she still live in the original home she and Dan purchased when he was on BZ? The big, friendly man named Hoss was just 43. Hot This TV film, Something for a Lonely Man, also featured Susan Clark, John Dehner, Warren Oates, and Don Stroud. The show followed widowed aeronautical engineer named Steven Douglas and his three sons. He received a purple heart among several other military awards. And before you go, make sure you show us some support by hitting the like button, subscribing to our channel if you havent already, and turning on notifications by tapping the bell icon. What Is Johnny Depps Ethnicity and Nationality, Is He British? Explore. Drafted in the inaugural 1960 (AFL) draft, Canary almost became a Denver Bronco. After Bonanza, Canary went on to accumulate a staggering 1,211 episodes of All My Children as Adam Chandler and his twin, Stuart. Until his death in 1972, he was married to Dolphia Lee Parker with whom he had four children: twin daughters Debra Lee and Danna Lynn, and 2 sons, David Blocker and Dennis Dirk Blocker. From what we have been able to gather, Dan Blocker was a fine husband as much as he was a caring father. At the end of the day, no one was really interested in watching the final season of Bonanza. Bonanza 50 Things You Never Knew About The Cast And Production, Jeopardy! Fans Still Divided Over Who Should Host The Show, Catherine Zeta-Jones Shares Throwback Photo Of Perfect Valentines Day Outfit. Facts Verse January 27, 2023, 7:23 pm, by The series which ran from September 1959 to January 1973 is the second-longest-running western series in the US. Blocker had a fledgling theatre career with Parker a mere year into their growing romance, but he had to put everything on hold to serve in the Korean War. When he died at age 43, his son followed in his footsteps. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. Dan once said he was scared of fame and only embraced acting because he needed money that would make it possible for him to give his wife and kids a good home and a better life. Dan Blocker Avenue is a street in the Boulder Ranch development in Henderson, Nevada. It was reported that he went in for the surgery but he developed a blood clot in his lung and died. Kelly Preston, the actress and wife of John Travolta, has died aged 57. Without Hoss, it simply wasnt the same show that everyone knew and loved. David is also a bit of an actor; he appeared as Callahan in an episode of Kung Fu: The Legend Continues way back in 1993 and most recently, was seen in Ray Meets Helen, a 2017 romantic drama film. Taylor Lautner Fat: The Truth About the Actors Weight Gain. Please ignore rumors and hoaxes. The marriage was sealed by a retired Presbyterian minister, Rev. Facts Verse Many times he risked his life for them. As Candy, viewers got to see David Canary go above and beyond for his employers. After some 400 episodes, Blocker died suddenly in 1972 from a pulmonary embolism during a post-op procedure. [5] Blocker later supported the eventual Democratic Party nominee, Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, also of Minnesota, for the presidency against the Republican Richard M. Nixon. Then, in 2010, Roberts died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 81. After seeing how well he did as an actor, Blocker encouraged him to focus on acting instead of football, which he did. He worked as a rodeo performer and a bouncer in a bar while a student. He continued to appear in other films and television productions and he would be remembered for his role in his movies such as Come Blow Your Horn and Something for a Lonely Man. He also owned a 1965 Huffaker Genie MK10 race car, nicknamed the "Vinegaroon". The actor reportedly claimed that his ex-wife never spent any time with their children. When he and his wife would take the children out for ice cream, they would inevitably be surrounded by doting fans of all ages. The Actors Age Revealed. Her second son, Dirk made his acting debut as a teenager in 1974 in an episode of the medical drama Marcus Welby, M.D. He appeared in all but one of the 14 seasons of the series which came to an end a few months after the actor passed on. Despite the fact that her husband was one of the iconic actors in the 1980s, details about Dolphia Lee Parker lived a very private life. He looked at Bonanza and felt it wasnt living up to its fullest potential. Dolphia is alive and kicking. He went on to serve in the US Army during the Korean War between December 1951 and August 1952. The car was run by Nickey Chevrolet in the 1965 and 1966 U.S. Road Racing Championship series, as well as the 1966 Can-Am championship. He is still writing books. [1] The common grave site is marked by a plain stone with the name "B. Dan D. Blocker" engraved; three family members are buried beside him his father, mother, and sister. Dan Blocker (December 10, 1928 - May 13, 1972) was an American actor.. Career. At age 43, Dan Blockers life came to a tragic end on May 13, 1972, in Los Angeles California. In fact, Bonanza taught him a lot about acting, writing, and directing. They tried his change out and popularity soared. Robbie is currently a reporter for TheBiography based in Santa Monica, CA. He goes to the hospital and it determines that he needs to have his gallbladder removed. April 18, 2021, 8:04 am Blocker was born Bobby Dan Davis Blocker in De Kalb, Bowie County, Texas, son of Ora "Shack" Blocker (1895-1960) and his wife Mary Arizona Blocker, ne Davis (1901-1998).