See Rare Behind-the-Scenes Photos From ‘Bonanza’

Remind Staff
BONANZA, from left: Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, Pernell Roberts, 1960, 1959-1973.
Gene Trindl/TV Guide/Courtesy Everett Collection
Gene Trindl/TV Guide/Courtesy Everett Collection

Get ready to saddle up with Michael Landon, Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker and the rest of the cast of Bonanza and take a trip behind the scenes of one of television’s most legendary westerns.

While we all fell in love with the Cartwright family’s adventures on the Ponderosa Ranch, there’s a whole other story that unfolded offscreen. We’ve gathered rare, behind-the-scenes photos that capture the heart and humor of life on set — playful moments among the cast and the kind of relaxed camaraderie that never made it to air, plus rare production shots.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering the magic of Bonanza, this is a fun gallery of pics from the golden age of TV westerns.

Dan Blocker, on the set of BONANZA, 1959.
Zinn Arthur/TV Guide/courtesy Everett Collection

Dan Blocker, on the set, 1959

BONANZA, from left: Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, Dan Blocker, 1962, 1959-1973.
TV Guide/Courtesy Everett Collection

Lorne Greene, Michael Landon and Dan Blocker, 1962

BONANZA, Dan Blocker, Lorne Greene, on set, 1959-73
Everett Collection

Dan Blocker and Lorne Greene

BONANZA, from left: Michael Landon, Dan Blocker (top), Lorne Greene, 1967, 1959-1973.
Ivan Nagy/TV Guide/Courtesy Everett Collection

Michael Landon, Dan Blocker (top) and Lorne Greene, 1967

BONANZA, Lorne Greene (center), behind the scenes, at market with fans, 1967, 1959-1973.
Sheedy-Long/TV Guide/Courtesy Everett Collection

Lorne Greene

At market with fans, 1967

BONANZA, Lorne Greene, behind the scenes, with visitors to Ponderosa Ranchhouse, 1967, 1959-1973.
Sheedy-Long/TV Guide/Courtesy Everett Collection

Lorne Greene, behind the scenes, with visitors to Ponderosa Ranchhouse, 1967

BONANZA, Lorne Greene (front right), behind the scenes, 1967, 1959-1973.
Sheedy-Long/TV Guide/Courtesy Everett Collection

Lorne Greene

BONANZA, from left: Pernell Roberts, Kathie Browne, 1963, 1959-1973.
Win Muldrow/TV Guide/Courtesy Everett Collection

Pernell Roberts and Kathie Browne, 1963

BONANZA, Lorne Greene, 1959-73 (1961 photo by Gene Trindl)
Gene Trindl/TV Guide/Courtesy Everett Collection

Lorne Greene, 1961

BONANZA, Victor Sen Yung, 1959-73 (1968 on-set photo).
Everett Collection

Victor Sen Yung, 1968

BONANZA, from left, Pernell Roberts, Michael Landon, Ida Lupino, on-set for 'The Saga of Annie O'Toole,' aired October 24, 1959
Everett Collection

Just Passing Time

Pernell Roberts, Michael Landon and Ida Lupino chit chat on-set while filming  “The Saga of Annie O’Toole” which aired October 24, 1959.

BONANZA, left and right, Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, during a publicity event, ca. early 1960s
Everett Collection

Lorne Greene and Michael Landon

The cast signs autographs during a publicity event in the early 1960s

BONANZA, ranch building, 1967, 1959-1973.
Sheedy-Long/TV Guide/Courtesy Everett Collection

Ranch building, 1967

BONANZA, Ponderosa Ranchhouse set, (1959), 1959-1973.
Zinn Arthur/TV Guide/courtesy Everett Collection

Ponderosa Ranchhouse set, 1959

BONANZA, construction of Ponderosa Ranchhouse, on set, 1967, 1959-1973.
Sheedy-Long/TV Guide/Courtesy Everett Collection
BONANZA, construction of Ponderosa Ranchhouse, on set, 1967, 1959-1973.
Sheedy-Long/TV Guide/Courtesy Everett Collection

Construction of Ponderosa Ranchhouse, 1967

BONANZA, behind the scenes, at Ponderosa Ranch, 1968, 1959-1973.
Frank Carroll/TV Guide/Courtesy Everett Collection

Ponderosa Ranch Interior, 1968

BONANZA, behind the scenes, at Ponderosa Ranch, 1967, 1959-1973.
Frank Carroll/TV Guide/Courtesy Everett Collection
BONANZA, behind the scenes, at Ponderosa Ranch, 1967, 1959-1973.
Frank Carroll/TV Guide/Courtesy Everett Collection
BONANZA, from left: Michael Landon, Lorne Greene, on set trucks, 1967, 1959-1973.
Sheedy-Long/TV Guide/Courtesy Everett Collection

Set Trucks

Michael Landon and Lorne Greene painted on the side of set trucks, 1967

BONANZA, set trucks, 1967, 1959-1973.
Sheedy-Long/TV Guide/Courtesy Everett Collection
BONANZA, 1967, 1959-1973.
Sheedy-Long/TV Guide/Courtesy Everett Collection
BONANZA, production shot, 1959-73
Everett Collection

Production Shot

BONANZA, Michael Landon (bottom right), 1959-73
Everett Collection
TV Westerns of the 50's & 60's
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September 2021

’50s and ’60s TV Westerns roundup, celebrating the shows and stars of their golden age.

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BonanzaDan BlockerIda LupinoLorne GreeneMichael LandonPernell Roberts