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I created a supercut video of all the scenes featuring or mentioning one of my favorite side characters, Bessie Sue Hightower, played by Katherine (Katie/Katey) Barrett. Clips from Season 4, Episode 36, “Any Friend of Walter’s” Originally aired March 24, 1963 https://youtu.be/2w49YkzQp0s Per IMDb: Ms. Barrett was born either on January 21, 1932 or on December 9, 1933. She grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota and re-located to Hollywood, California after college to pursue a career in acting. She made guest appearances in episodes of "My Three Sons", "Bonanza" and "Dragnet" to name a few. While working as a production assistant on the tel…

A very happy birthday to Mitch Vogel! A Visit to Upright What was your favorite Jamie episode or moment within an episode? Post a screencap and let us know.

Happy Birthday David Ladd February 5, 1947 Feet of Clay David Ladd appeared in one Bonanza episode. The son of Alan Ladd, he performed in several films with his father; beginning with an uncredited role as a little boy in the movie Shane followed by the role of David Johnson in the Movie The Big Land. David transitioned from in front of the camera to a senior production executive at MGM after earning a degree in business administration from the University of Southern California.

Remembering DeForest Kelley January 20, 1920 - June 11, 1999 The Honor of Cochise DeForest Kelley appeared in four Bonanza episodes, which included the two-parter Ride the Wind. After being discovered by a Paramount talent scout, Kelley became a reliable character actor in numerous westerns, often being cast as the villain. His big break came when he was cast as Doctor Leonard "Bones" McCoy on the TV series Star Trek (The Original Series) and appeared in six Star Trek (TOS) movies. Originally selected to portray Mr. Spock, he ultimately chose to portray the doctor stating, [he] "wouldn't have been anywhere near [as good as…

On July 23, 2023, Inga Swenson has died of natural causes while staying at a board-and-care facility in Los Angeles. She was 90. She beautifully protrayed Ben's 2nd wife and Hoss' mother, Inger Borgstrom in Inger, My Love and A Journey Remembered. https://people.com/inga-swenson-dead-7567265 https://www.tmz.com/2023/07/28/inga-swenson-dead-dies-actress-benson-tv-sitcom-broadway/

https://metv.com/stories/rip-andrew-prine-western-star-and-the-lead-role-in-wide-country?fbclid=IwAR2mgnIu6KCWixb8bE5HuH-PCEzX7KAXjqM9ScwqpJU6NuWwrON0sJGiCRM Andrew Prine portrayed George Whitman in The Jonah.

Will Geer was born on March 9, 1902 in Frankfort, Indiana and had a long career in movies and TV from 1932 to 1978. Probably best remembered as Grandpa Walton, Will also starred in 3 Bonanza episodes: The Running Man (1969) Love Child (1970) A Home for Jamie (1971) He earned a BS and Master's degree in Botany and had the unusual hobby of raising all the plants mentioned in the works of Shakespeare. Geer received a 1964 Tony nomination as Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role in "110 In The Shade", a musical version of the film The Rainmaker (1956). The leading lady in the musical was Inga Swenson (Inger) who was a…

Remembering Lincoln Demyan February 12, 1925 - October 6, 1981 The Greedy Ones (as Jim Slade, the assayer) Lincoln Demyan appeared in five Bonanza episodes. Through the 1960s & 1970s he had bit parts in numerous TV programs.

Remembering Brioni Farrell February 12, 1940 - August 8, 2018 Big Shadow on the Land Brioni Farrell appeared in three Bonanza episodes as Regina Rossi, she was born Xenia Gratsos in Athens, Greece.

Happy Birthday Tina Louise February 11, 1934 Desperate Passage Tina appeared in one Bonanza episode. Born Tina Blackner, she was still in her teens when she made her Broadway debut in "Li'l Abner" portraying Apassionata Von Climax, sharing a dressing room with Julie Newmar, who was also making her Broadway debut. Probably most famous for her role as Ginger Grant 'The Movie Star' on Gilligan's Island. It is reported that she eventually grew to resent the role and refused to appear in any of the reunion movies. She did make one concession; agreeing to appear in Rescue from Gilligan's Island; however, the salary sh…

Remembering John Carradine February 5, 1906 - November 27, 1988 Springtime John Carradine appeared in two episodes of Bonanza, and was one of three Carradines who guest starred on Bonanza. The other two being he sons Keith and Robert. Through the magic of Hollywood, in (1956) The Ten Commandments, he portrayed Martha Scott's son, though he was six years her senior in real life. He was one of many actors who were known throughout Hollywood as members of "The John Ford Stock Company". He was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, posthumously…

Remembering Bruce Gordon February 1, 1916 - January 20, 2011 Mr. Henry Comstock Bruce Gordon appeared in three Bonanza episodes. He had a recurring role as gangster Frank Nitti on The Untouchables (1959), which premiered as part of the Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse. His portrayal of the real-life gangster was larger than life, since the real Frank "The Enforcer" Nitti was slightly under 5' 5" tall and Gordon was almost six foot tall. \ Later he starred as Gus Chernack in the second season of Peyton Place.

Remembering Dorothy Neumann January 26, 1914 - May 20, 1994 The Gunmen Dorothy Neumann appeared in four Bonanza episodes. Many of Dorothy Neumann's early roles were uncredited as background characters; however, she appeared at Rita Campbell three times on The Andy Griffith Show. She also had a recurring role as Miss Mittleman in the 1965-66 TV series Hank. People would often mistake her for Margaret Hamilton (Miss Gulch the school teacher/ The Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz) or Maudie Prickett (Myrtle Mayberry R.F.D. / Miss Gordon the secretary on The Jack Benny Program). Dorothy Neuman…

Remembering Walter Barnes January 26, 1918 - January 6, 1998 Anatomy of a Lynching Walter Barnes appeared in four Bonanza episodes. A former National Football League (NFL) player for the Philadelphia Eagles (1948 - 1951) after attending LSU. Per IMDb.com: prior to the 1950 Sugar Bowl (LSU vs University of Oklahoma) game, a LSU fan reported he spying on the opposing team's practice. A photographer captured the scene and a photo of the event is claimed to still hang at Owen Field. Denying that it was him, Barnes took the truth to his grave. His roles were seen as gruff characters; either villa…

Remembering Dean Jones January 25, 1931 - September 1, 2015 The Friendship Dean Jones appeared in one Bonanza episode. Jones was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during the Korean War. Better known as one of the stock actors appearing in films products by Walt Disney Studios: That Darn Cat!, The Love Bug and the sequel Herbie movies and TV series, and The Shaggy D.A., among others.

Remembering Howard Wendell January 25, 1908 - August 11, 1975 A House Divided (portrayed Mr. Hennessy on the right in this scene) Howard Wendell appeared in five Bonanza episodes. Years before Bonanza, Wendell appeared as Watson in the movie, Gentlemen Prefer Blonds starring Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe. In the 1954-1955 TV series It's a Great Life, he appeared as Jonathan Cartwright in the episode 'A Date for Mrs. Morgan'. Surprising the writers didn't include him as a long-lost relative in a Bonanza episode.

Remembering Bill Hickman January 25, 1921 - February 24, 1986 Rich Man, Poor Man Bill Hickman appeared in four Bonanza episodes. Better is better known as a stunt driver. He drove the black Doge Charger 440 Magnum that was pursued by Steve McQueen's Ford Mustang 390GT in the movie, Bullitt. Later he drove the streets of Manhattan while doubling for Gene Hackman in the movie, The French Connection. Bill Hickman was the first on the scene after James Dean was killed in an automobile accident. He was following behind, driving the vehicle hauling Dean's Porsche 550 Spyder.

Remembering Gregg Palmer January 25, 1927 - October 31, 2015 The Return to Honor Gregg Palmer appeared in five Bonanza episodes. A member of the Army Air Corps during World War II, he was a cryptographer, earning the rank of Sergeant before his discharge. His growing reputation among Western fans was solidified when he became a regular member of John Wayne's stock company of actors.

Remembering Telly Savalas January 21, 1922 - January 22, 1994 To Own the World Telly Savalas appeared in one Bonanza episode. Per IMDb.com, Savalas was a soldier during World War II; however most of his enlistment records were destroyed in a fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO in 1973. It is known that he was a member of Company C, 12th Medical Training Battalion, 4th Medical Training Regiment at Camp Pickett, VA. Like many veterans, he refused to talk about his service during WWII. His rise to fame was the role as Detective Theo Kojak in the TV move The Marcus-Nelson Murders and the s…

Remembering John Doucette January 21, 1921 - August 16, 1994 A Knight Errant John Doucette appeared in three Bonanza episodes. Before acting, he was an infantryman in the Third Armored Division under the command of General George S. Patton during World War II and took part in the Battle of the Bulge. Interesting enough, in the 1970 movie, Patton, Doucette portrayed a general under the command of General Patton. John was one of many actors who were considered part of the "John Wayne stock company". He had roles in The Sea Chase, The Sons of Katie Elder, True Grit, and Big Jake. (per IMDb.com)

Remembering Carl Reindel January 20, 1935 - September 4, 2009 The Beginning Carl Reindel appeared in three Bonanza episodes. In addition to numerous roles in various television series, he appeared in the movies Bullitt, The Cheyenne Social Club, Tora! Tora! Tora!, and The Andromeda Strain. He passed away after suffering a heart attack.

Remembering Chick Chandler January 18, 1905 - September 30, 1988 My Friend, My Enemy Chick Chandler appeared in six Bonanza episodes; in two he portrayed Judge Butler, the hanging judge. Chandler was the son of a military surgeon. His mother was the daughter of the Boston Symphony Orchestra conductor. His father wanted an army career for him, but Chandler chose to drop out of military school and instead went to Hollywood. His career spanned forty years. According to IMDb.com: Chandler had been an avid amateur auto racer, until his wife filed for a restraining order to make him stop as he had promised to do upo…

Bonanza Brand Says, "Happy Birthday!" Mitch Vogel January 17, 1956 As Jamie Hunter Cartwright (with Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright)

Happy Birthday Randy Boone January 17, 1942 Ballad of the Ponderosa Randy Boone appeared in one Bonanza episode. Randy is the nephew of actor Richard Boone and cousin to singer Pat Boone. Best known for his role as Randy Benton on The Virginian. He also portrayed Francis on Cimarron Strip. In January, 2011, Randy was inducted into the Fayetteville Music Hall of Fame as "The Last Singing Cowboy". Information from IMDb.com

Remembering Jason Johnson January 16, 1907 - November 24, 1977 The Hopefuls (Jason is on the left) Jason Johnson appeared in four Bonanza episodes. My apologies, I had the wrong date in my excel file, I should have posted yesterday.