On Friday, the world lost a wonderful actor and animal lover, Dan Haggerty. Haggerty, well known for his classic performance as the peaceful mountain man in “The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams,” won over audiences with his amazing beard and bear friend, Ben. He died at the age of 73 in Burbank, California, from spinal cancer.
Prior to his breakout role, Haggerty established himself in Hollywood as a stuntman and animal handler. However, it was his tragic encounter with a producer that would alter his life forever. When asked to appear in some opening scenes for a film about a woodsman and his bear, Haggerty agreed with one condition: he wanted to be in the entire film.
The film, based on Charles Sellier Jr.’s novel, was a surprising success. Made on a small $165,000 budget, it grossed approximately $30 million at the box office. This phenomenal success prompted the development of a television series adaption in which Haggerty repeated his role as the nature-loving guardian of the wilderness.
“The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams” struck a chord with viewers due to its genial and sympathetic tone. It was about a guy who was wrongfully convicted of murder and sought sanctuary in the woods, where he befriended animals and adopted an orphaned bear. As John Leonard of The New York Times eloquently observed in his review, the show “lukewarms the heart,” mixing themes of communing with nature and tugging at the emotions.
Fans adored Haggerty’s depiction of Grizzly Adams, and he even received a People’s Choice Award in 1978 for being the most popular performer in a new series. The show’s success prompted the development of sequels such as “Legend of the Wild” in 1978 and “The Capture of Grizzly Adams” in 1982.
However, Haggerty’s life was not without its problems. Daniel Francis Haggerty was born on November 19, 1942, in Los Angeles, and had a tough upbringing. After his parents separated when he was three years old, he had a rough childhood, fleeing from military school several times. He eventually moved in with his actor father in Burbank.
Haggerty acted in a number of films during his early career, including “Muscle Beach Party” in 1964 and a cameo as a member of a hippie commune in the legendary “Easy Rider”. He totally embraced his connection to nature, living on a tiny ranch in Malibu Canyon with tamed and rescued wildlife. This unique encounter led to gigs as an animal trainer and stuntman on TV shows such as “Tarzan” and “Daktari.”
Throughout his life, Haggerty pursued roles that reflected his passion for wildlife and the outdoors. From “Where the North Wind Blows” in 1974 to “Grizzly Mountain” in 1997, he has played roles evocative of Grizzly Adams. He also dabbled with the horror genre, appearing in movies like “Terror Night” in 1987 and “Elves” in 1989.
Despite his achievements, Haggerty’s life had its ups and downs. In 1985, he was arrested and sentenced to 90 days in jail for selling cocaine to undercover police officers. In addition, he faced disaster in 1977 when a patron accidently set fire to his legendary beard in a restaurant, causing severe burns on his arms. Surprisingly, Haggerty used his expertise of animal healing to recover quickly.
Regardless of his demise, we will remember Dan Haggerty as the lovely mountain guy who brought joy and warmth to our televisions. His portrayal of Grizzly Adams, as well as his unshakable passion for nature, will live on in our hearts forever.
Dan Haggerty is survived by his children Megan, Tracy, Dylan, Cody, and Don, establishing a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
