Pernell Roberts - Actor Profile

Pernell Roberts

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
30Total Films
8.0 Highest Rated
Born: May 18, 1928
Birth Place: Waycross, Georgia, U.S.

About Pernell Roberts

Pernell Elvin Roberts, Jr. (May 18, 1928 – January 24, 2010) was an American stage, movie and television actor as well as singer. In addition to guest starring in over 60 television series, he was widely known for his roles as Ben Cartwright's eldest son, Adam Cartwright, on the western series Bonanza, a role he played from 1959 to 1965 — and as chief surgeon Dr. John McIntyre, the title character on Trapper John, M.D. (1979–1986). He was also widely known for his life-long activism, which included participation in the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965 and pressuring NBC to refrain from hiring whites to portray minority characters. Description above from the Wikipedia article Pernell Roberts, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Pernell Roberts reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 30 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: TV Movie

The majority of Pernell Roberts's filmography leans towards the TV Movie genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 27% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Pernell Roberts remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Realm of the Alligator, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Pernell Roberts Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Pernell Roberts's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Pernell Roberts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1990 Donor Dr. Simon Martingale Flop Similar →
1990 Checkered Flag Andrew Valiant Flop Similar →
1989 Perry Mason: The Case of the All-Star Assassin Thatcher Horton Average Similar →
1988 The Night Train to Kathmandu Prof. Harry Hadley-Smithe Hit Similar →
1987 Desperado Marshal Dancey Flop Similar →
1986 Realm of the Alligator Narrator Super Hit Similar →
1985 Night of 100 Stars II Self Super Hit Similar →
1982 Night of 100 Stars Self Hit Similar →
1981 Incident at Crestridge Mayor Hill Flop Similar →
1980 High Noon, Part II: The Return of Will Kane Marshal J.D. Ward Flop Similar →
1979 Hot Rod Sheriff Marsden Flop Similar →
1979 The Night Rider Alex Sheridan Flop Similar →
1978 The Immigrants Anthony Cassala Flop Similar →
1978 The Magic of Lassie Jamison Flop Similar →
1977 Charlie Cobb: Nice Night for a Hanging Sherrif Yates Average Similar →
1976 Paco Pompiho Flop Similar →
1975 Alien Lover Mike Average Similar →
1975 The Lives of Jenny Dolan Camera Shop Proprietor Flop Similar →
1975 The Deadly Tower Lt. Lee Hit Similar →
1975 Dead Man on the Run Brock Dillon Average Similar →
1972 The Adventures of Nick Carter Neal Duncan Flop Similar →
1972 The Bravos Jackson Buckley Average Similar →
1970 San Francisco International Jim Conrad Flop Similar →
1969 The Silent Gun Sam Benner Flop Similar →
1969 The Kashmiri Run - Flop Similar →
1969 Four Rode Out Marshall Ross Flop Similar →
1967 Carousel Jigger Craigin Flop Similar →
1959 Ride Lonesome Sam Boone Hit Similar →
1958 The Sheepman Chocktaw Neal Hit Similar →
1958 Desire Under the Elms Pierre Cabot Hit Similar →

Pernell Roberts - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Pernell Roberts?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Pernell Roberts is "Realm of the Alligator" with a rating of 8.0/10.

How many movies has Pernell Roberts acted in?

Pernell Roberts has been featured in at least 30 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Pernell Roberts?

Other notable films include "Night of 100 Stars II", "The Sheepman", and "Desire Under the Elms".