Bonanza had a full cast that helped the Western TV series launch to incredible success with a run of 14 seasons. However, NBC initially didn’t have a lot of faith in creator David Dortort to make the right decisions. As a result, they wanted him to cast well-known actors to attract the public. Dortort replied that he would only agree to his terms if Oscar winning actor Marlon Brando he himself agreed to star Bonanza.
‘Bonanza’ creator David Dortort had issues with NBC
According to David R. Greenland Bonanza: A Viewer’s Guide to the Television Legend, Dortort was initially very pleased with the idea of having free rein to create what he wanted. He loved American history and wanted to delve into a Western narrative. However, NBC ran into opposition from the creator rather quickly.
Dortort had two demands to allow his vision to come to life: to shoot in color and on Lake Tahoe. NBC was open to considering the location on a limited basis, but they were concerned additional costs color broadcasts. This was at a time when no other network was doing it. However, Dortort called it “sacrilegious” to shoot in “one of the most beautiful places in the country” in black and white.
NBC finally allowed him to bring color to Bonanza.
David Dortort would only cast well-known actors in ‘Bonanza’ if Marlon Brando said ‘yes’
However, the network problems were still far from over. The studio rejected Dortort’s idea to cast unknown actors in the lead roles. They were afraid to spend more money on earlier requests, so they wanted to make sure the public tuned in to recognizable faces. Dortort’s words in Bonanza: A Viewer’s Guide to the Television Legend stated that unless they chose brandohe refused to let them take over.
“TV creates its own stars,” Dortort said. “I told the network that I knew my people, I had written the parts with them in mind. If Marlon Brando, then in his prime, did the show, he would change his mind. Otherwise, go with my four boys or let’s forget the whole idea.
After all, he noted that NBC initially overlooked the talents of Jackie Gleason, Lucille Ball and gun smokeIt’s James Arness. They all became timeless stars who initially needed a chance to prove themselves.
Audiences came to love the cast.
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Dortort made remarkable sense with his Brando comments on the cast of Bonanza. The show finally brought one of the most adorable ensembles to ever grace television screens. In fact, the cast became so integrated into the show’s identity that billing changed at the beginning of the episode each week.
Bonanza landed at the top of the ratings for three consecutive years between 1964 and 1967. This was largely thanks to a cast that included the likes of Lorne Greene, michael landonDan Blocker, Pernell Roberts, Victor Sen Yung, Ray Teal, among others.