Dan Haggerty, Star of Grizzly Adams, Dies at 74
Dan Haggerty, best known for his role as the gentle, bearded mountain man in The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams, passed away Friday in Burbank, California. He was 74.
Haggerty first played the iconic character in the 1974 film of the same name, which was later turned into a hit NBC television series. At the time, he was working in Hollywood as a stuntman and animal trainer when a producer asked him to appear in some reshoots for a movie about a man and his bear.
That man was Grizzly Adams, a California woodsman who flees to the mountains after being wrongly accused of murder. There, he builds a new life among wild animals and befriends a bear cub named Ben. The story, based on Charles Sellier Jr.’s novel, struck a chord with audiences for its themes of redemption, harmony with nature, and quiet strength.
Haggerty agreed to join the project—but only if he could star in the entire film. With a modest $165,000 budget, the movie was re-shot and went on to earn nearly $30 million at the box office. Its success led to the TV adaptation, where Haggerty returned in 1977 as the kind-hearted, nature-loving Adams.
Critics had mixed reactions, but viewers loved it. The New York Times reviewer John Leonard wrote that the show “lukewarms the heart,” describing scenes of animals and wilderness life with gentle charm. Supporting characters like Mad Jack (Denver Pyle) and Nakoma (Don Shanks), a wise Native American, added depth and warmth to the story.
The role made Haggerty a household name and won him the People’s Choice Award in 1978 for Favorite Actor in a New TV Series. The show became known for its nostalgic tone and environmental themes, continuing with two follow-up films: Legend of the Wild (aired in 1978, released theatrically in 1981) and The Capture of Grizzly Adams (1982), where Adams is finally able to clear his name after being taken back to town by bounty hunters.
For fans, Haggerty’s portrayal of Grizzly Adams wasn’t just a role—it was a symbol of a simpler, more peaceful way of life.
