Remembering Dan Haggerty: The Gentle Mountain Man

Remembering Dan Haggerty: The Gentle Mountain Man of Grizzly Adams

On Friday, the world mourned the loss of beloved actor and animal advocate Dan Haggerty, who passed away at the age of 73 in Burbank, California, due to spinal cancer. Known for his iconic role as the gentle mountain man in The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams, Haggerty captured the hearts of audiences with his distinctive beard and his affectionate bond with his bear companion, Ben.

Before his breakthrough role, Haggerty was already making a name for himself in Hollywood as a stuntman and animal handler. His life would change when a producer asked him to act in the opening scenes of a movie about a woodsman and his bear. Haggerty agreed, but on the condition that he would play the lead role for the entire movie. The film, based on Charles Sellier Jr.’s novel, became a surprise hit. Produced on a modest budget of $165,000, it went on to gross nearly $30 million at the box office, which led to the creation of a TV series adaptation.

The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams resonated deeply with audiences, combining themes of nature, friendship, and redemption. The series told the story of a man falsely accused of murder who finds solace in the wilderness, befriending animals and adopting an orphaned bear. Critics, like John Leonard of The New York Times, praised the show for its “genial and heartfelt tone,” calling it a story that “lukewarms the heart.” Haggerty’s portrayal of Grizzly Adams won the admiration of fans, earning him a People’s Choice Award in 1978 for Most Popular Actor in a New Series. The show’s success also inspired sequels such as Legend of the Wild in 1978 and The Capture of Grizzly Adams in 1982.