Dan Haggerty, Star of “Grizzly Adams,” Remembered for His Iconic Role and Love for Nature

Dan Haggerty, the actor beloved by generations for his portrayal of the rugged yet gentle mountain man in The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams, passed away on Friday in Burbank, California. He was 73 years old. His death was confirmed by his manager and close friend, Terry Bomar, who stated that the cause was spinal cancer.

Haggerty’s portrayal of Grizzly Adams—a kindhearted woodsman with a thick beard and a deep bond with his animal companions, especially a bear named Ben—captured the hearts of viewers when the film debuted in 1974. Based on the novel by Charles Sellier Jr., the story followed a California man wrongly accused of murder who escapes into the wilderness. There, he forms a new life far from civilization, surrounded by wildlife and forging a profound connection with nature.

Originally created on a modest budget of just $165,000, the film became an unexpected hit, earning approximately $30 million at the box office. Its overwhelming success led to a television series of the same name that premiered in 1977, with Haggerty reprising his role. The show struck a chord with audiences across the country, offering family-friendly storytelling rich with themes of compassion, friendship, and environmental respect. In 1978, Haggerty received a People’s Choice Award as the most popular performer in a new television series—an honor that cemented his status as a fan favorite.

The popularity of Grizzly Adams led to two follow-up films: Legend of the Wild (1978) and The Capture of Grizzly Adams (1982). In the latter, bounty hunters track down Adams and bring him back to town, where he eventually clears his name. These films only strengthened the bond fans felt with the character and with Haggerty himself, who seemed to embody the gentle, nature-loving spirit of the role both on and off screen.

Dan Haggerty was born Daniel Francis Haggerty on November 19, 1942, in Los Angeles. He faced a difficult early life, particularly after his parents divorced when he was still young. He was sent to a military school but made several attempts to run away. Eventually, he went to live with his father, who worked as an actor, in Burbank, California. That experience would prove pivotal in shaping his future in the entertainment industry.

Before finding fame as an actor, Haggerty made a name for himself as a Hollywood stuntman and animal trainer. He lived on a small ranch in Malibu Canyon, where he cared for a variety of wild animals. His knowledge and comfort around animals led to bit parts in several films and TV series that required someone with his unique skill set. He appeared in early films like Muscle Beach Party (1964) and Easy Rider (1969), and took on small roles in biker films and animal-themed productions.

His work as an animal handler also led to guest appearances in television shows such as Tarzan and Daktari, where he worked behind the scenes and on camera. His expertise with animals was so well known that it eventually led to the opportunity to shoot new scenes for a movie about a man and his bear—what would become The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams. When approached to work on the film, Haggerty agreed, but only if he could play the lead. The rest, as they say, is history.

In addition to Grizzly Adams, Haggerty starred in several other wilderness-themed films including Where the North Wind Blows (1974) and The Adventures of Frontier Fremont (1976). In 1983, he appeared as a dog trainer in the David Carradine film Americana. Unfortunately, as the popularity of outdoor adventure films declined, Haggerty’s mainstream opportunities began to wane.

Later in his career, he appeared in lower-budget horror films such as Elves (1989), Terror Night (1987), and Axe Giant: The Wrath of Paul Bunyan (2013). Despite the shift in roles, Haggerty remained a working actor with a loyal fan base that continued to admire him for his earlier work and warm screen presence.

Though he played many roles over the years, Dan Haggerty will always be remembered most for his portrayal of Grizzly Adams—a man who found peace in the wild and whose love for animals and nature resonated deeply with viewers. His legacy lives on not just in the films and shows he left behind, but in the hearts of those who grew up watching him bring a gentle hero to life.