Pernell Roberts might have felt that he was above Bonanza, but he was also aware throughout his life that it may be the very thing that viewers best remember him for.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Roberts’ issues with Bonanza were plain from the start. He stated, “My problems with Bonanza were problems of communication. What we discussed would be never was. I thought it would be a sophisticated show. Instead, it never went beyond the comic strip level.”
However, in another interview with Mount Vernon Argus, Roberts wasn’t able to place a specific motive for his departure from the series. He explained, “I really don’t know. It was boredom, I suppose. If you were to look at what you do and say, ‘I don’t want to do that anymore…There are other things out there. Life is too short… time is too precious.” But he also acknowledged that viewers were best able to recognize him as Adam Cartwright, the eldest of the Cartwright boys.
Roberts stated, “Most people associate in the past. That’s how it is with people. It does vary a great deal depending on the lifestyle of the person who recognizes you and asks the question… but people usually think in terms of the past.” However, he clarified, “I don’t live that way in terms of my profession.”
Still, while Roberts was prepared to shed Adam Cartwright, there was a part of him that was prepared to keep a part of the character with him for the rest of his life. According to an article from the Chicago Tribune, Roberts would actually make mention of his Bonanza costars when introducing himself sometimes.
It stated, “According to a statement provided by Mr. Stone [Pernell Roberts’ lawyer], he [Roberts] referred to himself jokingly as ‘Pernell the-Last-One Roberts.” This quip was in reference to Roberts being the last surviving Cartwright after the deaths of Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon, the other original Cartwright men.