Pernell Roberts Dies

Veteran actor Pernell Roberts has died. He was 81.

Roberts, who was best known for his work on TV classics Bonanza and Trapper John, M.D., passed on Sunday.

Born in Waycross, Georgia, the actor hit the TV big time in 1959, with the role of Adam Cartwright on Bonanza. He left after the show's sixth season. According to USA Today, he was the last surviving member of that series.

Roberts went on to appear in many popular TV shows. In 1979, he regained his leading man status in Trapper John, M.D. The show was spun-off from the M*A*S*H character of Dr. "Trapper" John McIntyre (originated by Wayne Rogers). That show aired for seven seasons.

According to IMDB, Roberts last appeared on TV in a 1997 episode of Diagnosis Murder.