Dan Haggerty, Who Played Grizzly Adams

In the 1974 motion picture “The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams” and the corresponding NBC television series, Dan Haggerty played a bear named Ben and a gentle mountain man with a thick beard. Haggerty died in Burbank, California, on Friday.

His age was 73 years old.

Terry Bomar, his manager and friend, said that spine cancer was the cause.

A producer invited Mr. Haggerty, who worked as an animal trainer and stuntman in Hollywood, to recreate parts of the movie’s opening moments, which featured a woodsman and his bear.

The story, which was based on Charles Sellier Jr.’s book “The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams,” told the story of a California man who flees the woods after being falsely convicted of murder. There, he tames an abandoned bear and makes friends with the local fauna.

Mr. Haggerty agreed, as long as he could play the entire movie. At last, ticket sales for the film nearly hauled in $30 million after it was redone for $155,000. Subsequently, it was adapted for television, and in February 1977, Mr. Haggerty resumed his role as the forest’s protector and animal friend, with an emphasis on environmental issues.

The New York Times writer John Leonard called the first episode “lukewarm to the heart.” The man and bear who have taken up residence in a log cabin are visited by Mad Jack (Denver Pyle) and the honorable red man Makuma (Don Shanks), who bring bread and advice. As they leave the cabin, the man traps his fur and the bear washes it. Along with a lump in the throat, there’s also a lot of wildlife connection with raccoons, owls, deer, rabbits, hawks, badgers, and cougars.

Mr. Haggerty, who later won the 1978 People’s Choice Award for best new series actor, was won over by viewers of the show because to its cozy and nostalgic appeal. The 1978 television film “Legend of the Wild,” which was eventually shown in theaters in 1981, and the 1982 television film “The Capture of Grizzly Adams,” which followed Adams as he was hauled back to his hometown by bounty hunters in an attempt to clean his record, were the products of “Grizzly Adams.”

Daniel Francis Haggerty was born in Los Angeles on November 19, 1942. His upbringing was challenging following his parents’ divorce when he was three years old, and he frequently broke out of military school. He eventually went into Burbank, California, to live with his actor father.

At seventeen, he was married to Diane Rooker. The marriage ended in divorce. He lost Samantha Hilton, his second wife, in a motorcycle accident in 2008. Don, Megan, Tracy, Dylan, and Cody are his surviving children.

He costarred as body builder Biff alongside Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello in his feature début, “Muscle Beach Party,” released in 1964. Then came appearances in documentaries about the natural world and motorcycling, like “Bearded Biker” and “Biker With Bandana.” He briefly appeared in the movie “Easy Rider” as a guest of Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda in the hippie commune.

On his small ranch in Malibu Canyon, Mr. Haggerty actually housed a variety of wild creatures that he had either tamed from birth or saved from harm. In addition to occasional parts in films, his talents earned him work as an animal trainer and stuntman on the television series Tarzan and Daktari. In 1978, he claimed, “People magazine didn’t like actors jumping on them.”

In his outdoor-themed films, “Where the North Wind Blows” (1974) and “The Adventures of Frontier Fremont” (1976), he played a Siberian tiger trapper. He made an appearance as a dog trainer in the David Carradine film “Americana” (1983). In the 1997 film “Grizzly Mountain” and the 2000 film “Escape to Grizzly Mountain,” he played a character that bore a strong resemblance to Grizzly Adams.

Mr. Haggerty played an inebriated mall Santa in horror films including “Axe Giant: The Wrath of Paul Bunyan” (2013), “Terror Night” (1987), and “Elves” (1989) as his career declined. In 1985, he was sentenced to ninety days in prison for providing cocaine to two undercover police agents.

In 1977, a careless diner with a burning cocktail set fire to Mr. Haggerty’s famous beard. He made a third-degree burn attempt on his arms while attempting to douse the fire. He was admitted to the hospital, where he would probably need a month of therapy.

He told People, “I was like a wounded wolf trying to heal myself for the first few days—I just laid in the dark room drinking water.” “Nurses tried to give me morphine and pushed me to open the curtains.” Sometimes, however, animals know more about medicine than people do. He walked out of the hospital after ten days.

Pierce Brosnan’s estranged stepson has astonished fans with his appearance in uncommon photos after reports surfaced that the Hollywood star had cut ties with him.

Recent photos of Pierce Brosnan’s stepson have sparked a wave of internet comments, many of which are worried about his appearance and label it as “sad.” Take a look at the pictures that started this discussion.

The stepson of well-known actor Pierce Brosnan, Christopher Brosnan, has had a turbulent life. Pierce tried to help him after his mother passed away, but in the end, he had to make the difficult choice to break off contact with Christopher.

Pierce Brosnan at the 18th Annual Oscar Wilde Awards on March 7, 2024, in Santa Monica, California. | Source: Getty Images

Twenty years later, brand-new street images of the actor’s stepson have emerged, sparking a range of responses on social media. View the arresting pictures that sparked debate on the famous star’s stepson.

Pierce’s Difficult Family Situation
Loved by many in Hollywood, Pierce Brosnan is known for his endearing roles, especially as the dapper spy James Bond. But beyond the glamour of Hollywood, he has had serious personal difficulties, especially with relation to his family.

Pierce Brosnan courtside on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships on July 13, 2024, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

His first wife, Cassandra Harris, had a significant influence on the dynamics of his family. She had two children from her former marriage to British producer Dermot Harris, Charlotte and Christopher, when they got married in 1980. Later, in 1984, the couple welcomed Sean Brosnan into the world. Pierce adopted both of Cassandra’s children following the death of her first husband in 1986, forming a devoted blended family.

Cassandra’s death from ovarian cancer in 1991 was a tragedy that left the entire family in deep mourning. Pierce had to juggle his acting job and parenting their kids as a bereaved father.

Pierce Brosnan courtside on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships on July 13, 2024, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

The actor said, “I don’t look at the cup as half full, believe me,” following the passing of his spouse. Pierce’s sad memories were resurrected in 2013 when his daughter Charlotte lost her fight with the same cancer.

“On June 28 at 2 p.m., my darling daughter Charlotte Emily passed on to eternal life, having succumbed to ovarian cancer,” he said, expressing his unreserved anguish during this difficult time.

Pierce Brosnan and Cassandra Harris at the 10th Annual People's Choice Awards afterparty on March 15, 1984, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Pierce reconnected with love after experiencing excruciating heartbreak, wed Keely Shaye Smith in 2001. Keely rose from fame as a television personality to prominence as a documentarian and environmental campaigner. Their family grew when they welcomed Dylan and Paris, their two kids.

Pierce understood the difficulties of parenting sons and accepted his responsibility as a father. “I have experience raising sons, and it can be a really difficult journey. My instincts as a father are entirely personal,” he said. Regretfully, one of his boys would grow apart from him.

Pierce Brosnan, Cassandra Harris, Charlotte Brosnan, and Christopher Brosnan at the "Cats" opening night on January 11, 1985, in Century City, California. | Source: Getty Images

The Journey and Difficulties of Christopher, the Estranged Son
The Brosnan family became closer as they grieved Cassandra together. You simply feel things deeper today. Pierce observed, “You love and hug more deeply.”

He spent a lot of time with his sons, hosting swimming parties and beach vacations. He understood, nevertheless, that their sorrow would not go away quickly.

Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith at the 25th Annual Women in Film Crystal Awards on June 8, 2001, in Century City, California. | Source: Getty Images

Pierce learned of his children’s emotional difficulties as the family dealt with their loss. He let them see his emotions, telling them that even though he was alone, everything will work out in the end.

“I can see the pain in Christopher’s eyes, the absence in his heart for his mother,” the man said. Christopher once made an attempt to emulate his stepfather by going to UCLA to take a screenplay course and pursuing a career in cinema. He even made contributions to a few of Pierce’s movies, including as “Tomorrow Never Dies” and “GoldenEye.” But despite his early promise, Christopher battled addiction, which forced the actor to break things off with him.

Pierce Brosnan and his son Dylan Brosnan at the Sunset Marquis Hotel and Rock Against Trafficking Grammy Afterparty on February 8, 2015, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Pierce has been open about how addiction has affected his family, especially with regard to his stepson. He pointed out that since drinking claimed the lives of both Charlotte and Christopher’s biological father, addiction frequently appears to have inherited origins.

Charlotte finally recovered, but Christopher’s journey was far more difficult. Pierce said that Christopher was “still very lost,” expressing his profound concern for his stepson’s difficulties. Remarkably so.

Pierce Brosnan with his sons Paris Brosnan and Dylan Brosnan at the premiere of "Love Is All You Need" on April 25, 2013, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

When Pierce made the decision to cut ties with Christopher, things became very serious. It hurts because you become withdrawn. I have to cut Christopher off, but you never really cut them off. I had to give the order “Go.” “Either get busy dying, or get busy living,” he said.

Pierce acknowledged that the choice was difficult, but that Christopher’s continuous struggle with addiction made it inevitable. “I love Christopher and just want him well and healthy, despite his waywardness and addiction,” he said. Pierce’s affection for his stepson was evident despite their distance from one another.

Pierce Brosnan, Christopher Brosnan, and Sean Brosnan at the "Mrs. Doubtfire" premiere on November 22, 1993, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

Pierce said, “My love forever to you dear sons, Paris, Dylan, Sean, and Christopher, thank you deeply for your love on this Father’s Day,” in 2022, despite their tense relationship. Pierce also mentioned Christopher. Pierce’s public statement demonstrated that despite obstacles, he remained concerned for Christopher.

Internet Users React to This View of Christopher
When Christopher was discovered in 2019, there was conjecture regarding his living situation following years of separation. He returned to the public eye in June 2024, and his appearance generated much discussion on social media about how he looked after such a lengthy period of anonymity.

Christopher, Charlotte, and Pierce Brosnan at the premiere of "Love Affair" on October 13, 1994, in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

One person commented, “Wow, sad!” “He looks older than his father,” remarked someone else. Drugs, regrettably, have that effect on people. Other others expressed similar opinions, saying things like “He doesn’t look well” and “Son looks so much older than his dad.” Not at all.

Even though Pierce Brosnan’s choice to keep his distance from Christopher was clearly tough, the actor still has hope for his stepson’s healing and tranquility. The “GoldenEye” actor said that Christopher is on his mind and that he is hopeful that he will get through this difficult phase of his life.

Christopher Brosnan, Pierce Brosnan's mother May Smith, Pierce Brosnan,  Keely Shaye Smith, and Charlotte Brosnan at the "GoldenEye" premiere party on November 13, 1995, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

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