Here's the real reason Dan Blocker didn't like guns

He was quick to fire back against the idea of real-life gun violence.

The Everett Collection

One would think that starring in a hit Western would desensitize an actor to guns, violence, and lawlessness—especially a Western like Bonanza, which lasted for 14 seasons.

A gun, a horse, a bad guy, and a hero were kind of what Westerns were all about. However, according to a 1965 interview with The Times Herald, one of those Western heroes, Dan Blocker, opposed guns, even though he used one in the series.

"I have to carry a gun on television—but I won't have a blasted thing to do with them in real life," Blocker said. 

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Like most characters in Westerns, Hoss wore a holster and occasionally used his firearm when the episode required it. However, he was quick to shoot down the idea of using gun violence in real life.

Blocker played the role of Hoss Cartwright for all 14 seasons of Bonanza. He was at the heart—and the Hoss—of the Cartwright family. While his size was intimidating, he was the complete opposite of his appearance. His stance on violence only proved that further.

"My hatred of guns started one night when I was sitting on a mountain in Korea," Blocker said. "Up until then I guess I thought I was unbeatable. For 20 years or more I had figured that old Dan Blocker was made outta steel—and then I learned how helpless a man can feel when there's someone out there with a gun who is trying to blow him to eternity."

For the series, Blocker was able to put his feelings aside, and due to his military background, he learned a valuable lesson: Guns hold a lot of power, and he didn’t want to be on the wrong side of it.

Blocker served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was drafted in 1951 and served as a tank commander in the 7th Infantry Division. He earned a Purple Heart for his service, having been wounded during combat. 

"I made a vow that night that I would never again aim a gun at a living thing," Blocker said. 

According to the interview, up until his time in Korea, he used to do a lot of hunting. After his time in the war, he didn’t own a gun and wouldn’t even let his sons go on hunting trips.

Blocker was quick to lock and load his thoughts, and he took a stand, never pulling the trigger on promoting gun violence in real life.

"I told them they could go out and shoot at animals as soon as we figure out how to train the animals to handle high-powered rifles with a telescopic sight on it—then maybe it could be called sport."

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34 Comments

MikefromJersey 24 days ago
"served as a tank commander in the 7th Infantry Division."
He was a Sgt. in the infantry, he wasn't a tanker. He was also at Pork Chop Hill( see the
Gregory Peck film by that name, it's very good).
Lots of guys come back from the service and avoid guns and hunting, they just had enough.
There is a place though for culling the deer herds, they would denude the vegetation
otherwise and cause starvation for themselves and other creatures.
Hunters also contribute to protecting the wilderness through the permits they buy and the
money they bring into those areas. It's not my cup of tea, I have seen enough violence,
but I'll still sit down at a buddy's house and enjoy fresh venison.
In Australia the kangaroos are viewed like the deer, they have to be culled as well for the
same reasons, millions of pounds of cheap roo meat is exported to Asian countries.
coffinman 27 days ago
I see the petulant mods are at it again.
Snickers 28 days ago
I have total respect for this man after reading this story. Good for him and his hate of guns.
jmworacle 28 days ago
Like Carroll O'Conner, Dan Blocker was the total opposite of his character. I'm not sure where I read this from, but his son wanted to go hunting. His father told him as soon as they can arm the animals I have no objection.
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coffinman Snickers 26 days ago
Are you a vegan?
Snickers coffinman 26 days ago
Nope I eat meat and yes I know they have to kill the cow and pigs ...etc. I'm a animal lover who sits on his back porch watching the deer running through my yard, watching mama turkey with her young ones passing by eating bird seed from my many feeders
coffinman Snickers 26 days ago
Thank you for that thoughtful response. Most people look past the fact that behind every hamburger, sausage, pork chop et al, there's a pile of innards on the floor somewhere. When I hunt, I do my own dirty work.
JERRY6 coffinman 21 days ago
that pile of innards is called hotdog
Wiseguy70005 28 days ago
Dan Blocker died after the 13th season. He was NOT on the series all 14 seasons. Surprised no one else caught that.
NoraGaddis Wiseguy70005 28 days ago
I did caught that. Dan wasn't on 14 season. They were get ready to film it, but he didn't make it.
BarryinIN 28 days ago
So he didn’t want to have anything to do with guns. Except when he was being paid to carry one, then it was just fine.
EvyR76 BarryinIN 28 days ago
It's called acting and if you know anything about how hard it is to make a living as an actor you wouldn't berate someone for doing the job regardless of what his personal beliefs are.
Snickers BarryinIN 28 days ago
If you read the story you would have noticed that he was NEVER fine with it
coffinman BarryinIN 27 days ago
I posted the same thing. The baby moderators took it down.
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MaryMitch 28 days ago
Geez - he was in a war, had people shooting at him, saw the results of gun violence - sounds like someone who learned from his experiences. He was a smart guy.
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coffinman 29 days ago
Ahhh. Took down my comment, I see.
coffinman coffinman 29 days ago
Took down my other comment, too. I guess this sit doesn't allow folks to point out their "heroes," have clay feet. Poor babies.
bmoore4026 30 days ago
I hate being a downer but it would probably break his heart if he were around today and see how bad gun violence has become.
coffinman bmoore4026 29 days ago
Don't you mean, "human violence?"
Jackhammer bmoore4026 28 days ago
Yeah it's the "guns" 🤦 my goodness critical thought is as rare as platinum.
Snickers Jackhammer 28 days ago
No guns, no violence
JERRY6 Snickers 21 days ago
tell that to the people run down in Germant and the US or knifed in Australia and Canada guns atre not the problem people are
Snickers JERRY6 21 days ago
What does Germant and atre mean?
GioLovesMash 1 month ago
cool hoos story for saying no guns in bonanza W hoss
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