Dan Haggerty: A Tribute to the Gentle Mountain Man

Dan Haggerty, a popular actor and animal lover, passed away tragically on Friday. Haggerty, who is best known for playing the kind mountain man in “The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams,” won over viewers’ hearts with his striking beard and bear friend Ben. He died from spinal cancer in Burbank, California, at the age of 73.

Haggerty was already well-known in Hollywood as a stuntman and animal handler prior to his big break. But it was his fateful meeting with a producer that would permanently alter his course in life. Haggerty consented to appear in a few opening sequences for a film about a woodsman and his bear, but only if he wanted to be in the entire movie.

The novel by Charles Sellier Jr. served as the basis for the unexpectedly successful movie. Despite having a tiny $165,000 budget, it made close to $30 million at the box office. As a result of this extraordinary success, a television series adaption was made, in which Haggerty played the role of the wilderness’s devoted defender once more.

Because of its warm and sincere tone, “The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams” struck a chord with viewers. It was the tale of a man who sought safety in the woods, made friends with animals, and adopted an orphaned bear after being wrongfully convicted of murder. In his review, John Leonard of The New York Times rightly observed that the show “lukewarms the heart,” fusing aspects of connecting with nature with emotional appeal.

Fans adored Haggerty for his role as Grizzly Adams, and he even won a People’s Choice Award in 1978 for being the most popular performer in a new series. Because of the show’s popularity, follow-ups such as “Legend of the Wild” (1978) and “The Capture of Grizzly Adams” (1982) were produced.

But there were difficulties in Haggerty’s life. He had a challenging upbringing after being born Daniel Francis Haggerty in Los Angeles on November 19, 1942. He had a difficult childhood following the divorce of his parents when he was three years old, even making several escapes from military school. He eventually went to Burbank to live with his actor father.

Early in his career, Haggerty starred in a number of movies, such as 1964’s “Muscle Beach Party” and the classic “Easy Rider,” in which he played a hippie commune member. Living with tamed and rescued wild animals on a tiny ranch in Malibu Canyon, he fully embraced his connection to nature. Jobs as an animal trainer and stuntman for TV shows like “Tarzan” and “Daktari” resulted from this unusual experience.

Haggerty continued to play parts that reflected his passion for the outdoors and wildlife throughout his life. From 1974’s Where the North Wind Blows to 1997’s Grizzly Mountain, he consistently played Grizzly Adams-like roles. Additionally, he ventured into the horror genre, making appearances in movies like “Terror Night” in in 1987 and “Elves” in 1989.

Haggerty’s life had its ups and downs despite his accomplishments. He had legal troubles and was sentenced to 90 days in prison in 1985 for selling cocaine to police undercover agents. He also suffered a tragic incident in 1977 when a restaurant patron unintentionally set his well-known beard on fire, severely burning his arms in the process. Amazingly, Haggerty recovered quickly by using his understanding of animal medicine.

Even though he is no longer with us, we will never forget Dan Haggerty as the kind mountain man who made our screens happier and cozier. We will always cherish his portrayal of Grizzly Adams and his steadfast devotion to the natural world.