Dan Blocker will always be remembered for the role of Hoss on Bonanza, and we can’t see anyone else playing the role better than the Texas native. He and the character shared many similarities, including being gentle giants.
The actor portrayed the role so well that he had to learn how to separate Dan from Hoss.Blocker’s size and what he considers a ”relatable” appearance is why playing Hoss made sense. In an interview with the Austin American-Statesman in 1969, the Bonanza actor talked about his looks and why they played a crucial role in his career. A line in the newspaper article stated that Blocker “is aware that he isn’t a handsome leading man and never will be, and that suits him.”
How did the Western star feel about that?
“I’m so happy; I think it is a frame-up,” Blocker said while laughing. “Audiences want someone to identify with. It began with Wally Beery, and Marjorie Main and Anna Magnani [helped].”
The actor was secure with his appearance and used it to his advantage. No one had the ”perfect look,” no matter how hard Hollywood tried to push that image. Blocker represented the average individual and did so while blossoming into stardom.
“If it weren’t for my size, I never would have played Hoss. So my bulk has given me entree to innumerable career opportunities. But there are hundreds of thousands of outsize guys. So I had to capitalize on my talent too,” he added.
Just because Blocker didn’t think he looked like a charming prince doesn’t mean he wished he did. The actor thought he looked like another type of loveable character.
“My face? I look like porky pig. And who can hate him? I have a baby face, and some women have called me cuddly. Well, I’m built for comfort, not speed. Maybe that’s why I try to build racing cars, to make up for my lack of speed.”
Whether Blocker was building cars, being cuddly or looking relatable, he was still a legend, and nothing could take that away from him.