‘Bonanza’: A Funny Story From The Set…
On April 9, 2013
- TV History
‘Bonanza’: A Funny Story From The Set…
During the filming of one episode, Lorne Greene was required to jump off a small ledge into a lake five feet below. Michael Landon later recalled that when Greene did the stunt, he jumped into the water feet first and went completely under, but his hair piece came off and floated on the surface of the lake. Landon and the rest of the crew watched to see what would happen. After a short while, Greene’s hand shot up out of the water, grabbed the hairpiece, and pulled it down. Greene emerged from the lake, wearing his hairpiece slightly askew. He walked nonchalantly past the snickering crew, and went into his trailer without saying a word.
I remember an old joke that goes like this…The teacher asks a little boy: “who was the first man” and the boy says “Hoss”. The teacher says “No, it was Adam”. The kid responds: “Well, I knew it was one of the Cartwright boys!”
I was working on The Tonight Show many years ago when Michael Landon told that story only the way that he could. Quite hilarious!
For several years the local Ponderosa was a regular weekly dining stop for the family, and I always thought “Hoss did good”…..
Dan blocker wore a hairpiece too in the last few seasons before he died. He also started/owned the Ponderosa Steak house chain.
Great Lorne Greene story!
Pernell Roberts shouldn’t have been snickering too hard since he was wearing a rug too…..