Can you tell the difference between the Cartwright brothers on Bonanza?

Do you know Adam, Hoss and Joe like family?

 The Everett Collection

As westerns go, Bonanza is one of the longest to ever hit the airwaves. It lasted 14 seasons from 1959–73. Part of its enduring appeal were the main cast of characters — Ben Cartwright and his three grown sons.

Pernell Roberts as Adam, Dan Blocker as Hoss and Michael Landon as Joe each brought a different personality to the show. While they shared some things in common, there were many differences. How well do you know each Cartwright brother and the actors who played them?

Take this quiz and put your knowledge to the test!

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  1. True or false: All three brothers each have a different mother.
  2. Who is the oldest brother?
  3. Which brother appeared in the most episodes?
  4. Although they played brothers of different ages, which two actors were the same age in real life?
  5. Which actor played college football?
  6. What is Hoss Cartwright's real first name?
  7. Which brother went to college for architecture?
  8. Which actor appeared on the cover of TV Guide more than 20 times?
  9. Which actor started the Bonanza Steakhouse chain in Westport, Connecticut?
  10. Which actor wrote multiple episodes of the show?
  11. Which actor served in the Korean War?
  12. Which actor marched for civil rights from Selma to Montgomery in 1965?

Can you tell the difference between the Cartwright brothers on Bonanza?

Your Result...

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163 Comments

Adamtwelvia 4 months ago
My mom would love this quiz. She loves Bonanza!
Adamtwelvia 6 months ago
I actually did a lot better than I thought.
Happy1 11 months ago
11 out of 12. And I should have known it...I have the complete dvd set...cause I love the show!
SusanTammy 12 months ago
7/12 Wow I need to go back to Bonanza school!
JERRY6 15 months ago
12 out of 12 was to easy so says me tv
MichaelJF 15 months ago
11/12 I should've known the Korean War question.
Kaydee 16 months ago
11/12 I truly wish Pernell Roberts had not taken his role as Adam Cartwright so personal. It was a job with great success and a great deal of $$$$ to go along with that role. Pernell was given several main character episodes while on Bonanza. Especially the episode "The Crucible" co-starring Lee Marvin which was a great episode in my opinion. The show Bonanza went on successfully without Pernell, however I feel Bonanza would have been better than a great legendary show had Pernell stayed on till the 14th season. I really believ David Dortort would've conceded and had allowed Pernell take off his toupee eventually and also had Pernell portray his character Adam Cartwright in a more independent role. Possibly getting married and raising a family and never having to call Ben Cartwright "Pa" again. I strongly believe the situation could've been worked out between Pernell and the entire production crew, I have read many times that David Dortort truly admired Pernell's talents and wanted to keep him on as a cast member and eventually and unfortunately David Dortort didn't give in too soon and Pernell didn't extend himself longer in tolerance in hopes of improvement with the show in all aspects to his liking. Although the much arrogant Micheal Landon didn't care vocally that Pernell had left the show I believe Dan Blocker and Lorne Greene would've loved for Pernell to continue on. What's odd is how God has a plan for all of us...Pernell was the first to leave the show and the last of the original surviving cast members of Bonanza to eventually pass away in 2010. Dan Blocker (Hoss) 1972 Lorne Greene (Ben) 1987 Micheal Landon (Little Joe) 1991 RIP... Bonanza Forever!
Cougar90 Kaydee 16 months ago
11 out of 12. Like I've said many times I love my westerns. Loren Greene told Pernell to stay with the show until it got cancelled, then use the money he earned to make the projects he wanted to do. He probably gave the same advice to Michael Landon and looked what happened there. Michael said, "we split the money three ways instead of four and got a smaller dining room table!"
dmzabooo 16 months ago
Moving along great till I got to #9, #10, & #11
Pulled a 9 out of 12 damnit. I'm better than that ! But apparently not lol. Love me some early episode Bonanza. Once Roberts left it went down hill. Though Candy was a good character though. That Jamie kid, don't get me started.
MichaelJF 16 months ago
12/12 I guessed at the steakhouse question..
dazeofwine 16 months ago
12/12. Yes I watch a lot of Bonanza and I've read about it for years. And yes Michael Landon was the only one that didn't need a hairpiece and was the only one that needed boots to heighten himself.
Kaydee 16 months ago
11/12 I got #5 wrong...Knowing Dan Blocker's huge stature, I should've known that one Lol
JeffPaul76 16 months ago
"You got 9 out of 12 ------That was almost too easy. Great job!" -----I got 10, 11, and 12 wrong.
ncadams27 16 months ago
Regarding #12. At the time, it was the Southern Democrats who were strongly against integration and the Civil Rights Bill (passed July 2, 1964). Selma and Montgomery are in Alabama, whose governor was George Wallace.
dmzabooo ncadams27 16 months ago
Yes they were! Klansman you could say. But our history books all but covered that up for the party of the left. The democRATS Filabustered the Republicans on civil rights too. Al Gore's father. Go figure.
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