Grizzly Adams Star Dan Haggerty Remembered

Dan Haggerty, best known for portraying Grizzly Adams, passed away in Burbank, California. Haggerty rose to fame after taking on the title role in The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams (1974), a film about a wrongfully convicted man who escapes to the wilderness and bonds with animals—especially a bear named Ben. Originally hired as a stuntman and animal handler, Haggerty agreed to join the project only if he could star in the entire film. Produced for $165,000, the movie made nearly $30 million, leading to an NBC series in 1977.

Haggerty’s warm, rugged portrayal earned him the 1978 People’s Choice Award. The series was known for its wholesome, nature-centered storytelling and memorable characters like Mad Jack (Denver Pyle) and Makuma (Don Shanks). The franchise continued with Legend of the Wild (1978) and The Capture of Grizzly Adams (1982), in which Adams finally clears his name. Haggerty remains beloved for his iconic, bear-loving role.