- I was teaching a Sunday school class at one of the churches in Waycross, Georgia, where I grew up. And the lesson dealt with equality and all of us being one under the eyes of God. All of a sudden it hit me!! This isn't true! The church was - is- the most segregated place one day a week there is in our country. And it's so ironical and so tragic that here's a philosophy which preaches and teaches human understanding and brotherly love and practices, in essence, the most vicious form of human relationship there is.
- I had six seasons of playing the eldest son on that show. Six seasons of feeling like a damned idiot, going around -- me, like a middle-aged teenager, saying, 'Yes, Pa,' 'No, Pa' on cue. It was downright disgusting -- such dialogue for a grown man. I felt I wasn't being taken seriously as an actor, and that's like death to one's talent...Stuck as Adam Cartwright, I was only able to use about one-tenth of my ability. -- PR on why he left Bonanza (1959)
- I'm never satisfied with my own work.
- There are times when I think we almost manage to transcend our constant lack of good scripts, proper rehearsal and all the other things that bug a man in this business.... Everything on TV is that monster, compromise.... Let's face it, Bonanza could be really good if the powers-that-be cared enough to make it that way.
- They told me the four characters [Lorne Greene, myself and Dan Blocker and Michael Landon as brothers] would be carefully defined and the scripts carefully prepared. None of it ever happened. - (In 1964 about the limitations he felt about his character given on-screen for Bonanza (1959).)
- Isn't it just a bit silly for three adult males to get father's permission for everything they do? I haven't grown at all since the series began four years ago. I have an impotent role. Everywhere I turn, there's the father image. - In 1963 when Bonanza (1959) was too remote from reality.
- In 1979: I've never been career oriented. Did I even want to be a star? What's a star? Is that something in the heavens? That's the only definition that comes to my mind. And the most important goals in my life have been to move gently to be at ease with the mystery of what it's all about.
- As we get older, we become more political in terms of survival. We realize a certain amount of cunning is necessary and that you just end up in a victim when you are totally honest in an environment where those around you aren't. It's a matter of remaining true to yourself while continuing to move forward. It's also a matter of learning to keep control of one's balance.
- When questioned if he was sorry for leaving his role on Bonanza (1959): God no! I'm just sorry I wasn't able to get out of my contract and leave sooner. So the other made millions. How much does one person need to live? I've never needed or wanted that much.
- Of what led him to do Trapper John, M.D. (1979), when he sounded subdued, almost resigned: I'm getting old. I just turned 51. I need to make a live. I hope that I can be totally responsible for my life till I die. Perhaps I won't have to worry in my later years.
- Who never quite stomach it, who in turn never hid his feelings: There are times when I think we almost manage to transcend our constant lack of good scripts, proper rehearsal and all the other things that bug a man in this business ... Everything on TV is that monster, compromise ... Let's face it, Bonanza (1959) could be really good if the powers-that-be care enough to make it that way.
- Why do a series? It's called paying the rent. It's called paying your dues. But so much depends on timing. Mine was a bit off when I quit Bonanza (1959).
- In 1980: I've seen it all before. A hundred times before. Actors on their way up. Actors coasting. It was the same 20 years ago as today.
- Who recounted casting for the lead role of Trapper John, M.D. (1979): The beginning of this year, I got a call to come in and talk about the show. 3 weeks later, I was called back to do a screen test. And then, I waited again, until I finally got the word about a week before we shot the pilot that the network had approved me for the part.
- Who proclaimed about leaving his role on Bonanza (1959), after he appeared in the show's 177 of the 430 episodes: I feel I am an aristocrat in my field of endeavor. My being part of Bonanza (1959) was like Isaac Stern sitting in with Lawrence Welk.
- Who played the same character that Wayne Rogers had created, when he was on M*A*S*H (1972), except Roberts played his mellower than Rogers: I really don't know what the thrust of the series is. Sometimes it's drama, sometimes farce. I have absolutely no input. The actor is the last person the producers want to hear from.
- On playing the same character that Wayne Rogers would've been famous for after M*A*S*H (1972), when he left in 1975: Time is moving along. I'm 51 and I say, 'Well, maybe I better hedge my bet a little and get into something more lucrative so I won't have to find food in the garbage vehicles of America, when I'm old.'
- I distinguished myself by flunking out of college three times.
- I just didn't enjoy Bonanza (1959) anymore. My contract was up and I left. It became joyless and boring and predictable and I had to get away. But I never said those things people said I said.
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