Dan Haggerty

*** Author's Notes***

I realize that Dan Haggerty is not a Native American actor and therefore out of the norm for my blog, however back in the 70s he did do a lot to bring awareness to a generation. For one of the first times, a Native man ("Nakoma" played by Don Shanks) was portrayed as a white man’s friend, teacher and even blood brother.

I am proud to say that I knew Dan, not for a long time, but the time I spent hanging out with him and his two sons, Dylan and Cody in Florida was time well spent for me. Everyone who met the man was immediately drawn to him. He was funny, personable, kind and the most genuine human being I have ever met.

Often times we elevate our childhood idols to a level that is unattainable for mere mortals. Then when we meet them, if we are ever that blessed, we realize that they are not what we thought they were and the illusion is shattered. After meeting Dan, he is still my hero and always will be. His life was amazingly similar to the character he played. I wish I could have known him better and longer.

I am sad to say that Dan Haggerty passed away on January 15, 2016. He had been battling Cancer for about 5 months. God has taken one hell of a good man home. So many of us are going to miss him deeply. I cry, not for him because I know he is walking peacefully within nature with his wife, Samantha and the animals he loved. I cry for me because I will never get the chance to talk to him again; not on this side of eternity anyway. I pray that until I make it there, my pets in the afterlife find this man, for I know he will take excellent care of them for me.

Bio

There has been some discrepancies as to Dan Haggerty’s real name, date of birth and place of birth. According to IMDb, Dan was born on November 19, 1941 in Pound, WI. His given name at birth was Gene Jajonski which he later changed to Daniel Francis Haggerty. Married twice, first to Diane Rooker whom he divorced in 1984 after having two children, Tracey and Tammy. Then to Samantha Hilton who died as a result of a motorcycle accident in 2008. Dan and Samantha had three children, Dylan, Megan and Cody.

His most notable role was that of Grizzly Adams in the 1970s, however prior to the role which made him an American Icon, Dan was a body builder in the 1960s at Muscle Beach. He also found work behind the scenes as a stuntman on the TV series “Tarzan”, a set builder and customized the motorcycles used in the movie “Easy Rider.” His love for animals led Dan to become an adept trainer and handler. He directed the animals in several Walt Disney movies as well as other films.

Pursuing his love of cuisine Dan began bottling and marketing his own brand of barbeque sauce; made from his own recipe, of course. And in 1991, he opened "Haggerty's Bistro" in Studio City, California. Haggerty’s multi-faceted personality was not only intrigued by the culinary arts, he was an accomplished artist in his own right; producing works ranging from simple etches to paintings and even sculptures.

Over the decades, Dan has been the National spokesman for many a company. Among them are: Young Adventurers, Inc., Ralston Purina, Nestea, WheatChex, and Del Monte Foods.

Dan Haggerty aka Grizzly Adams died on January 15, 2016 in Burbank, California after a brief battle with cancer.

Awards

2009 "Hollywood of the West" star in Kanab, Utah

1994 Hollywood Walk of Fame star at 7070 Hollywood Blvd

1986 Harley-Davidson: "Humanitarian of the Year" Award

1980 "The People's Choice Award" for most popular actor

???? Rotary Foundation of Rotary International: Paul Harris Fellowship Award

???? Dove Foundation: "Diamond Seal of Approval" for over 1 million family videos sold

Guest Star Roles

2014 The Hollywood Show: Love Among the Legends Himself

2014 The Dr. Susan Block Show Himself

1994 Vicki! Himself

1986 Abducted Joe Evans

1983 The Love Boat Sawdust Radell

1983 CHiPs Himself

1982 The American Sportsman Himself

1981 Charlie's Angels Bo Thompson

1980 The Toni Tennille Show Himself

1979 Roller Disco (2) Himself

1978 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Guest

1977 Dinah! Himself

1977 Battle of the Network stars NBC Team Captain

1977 Dean Martin Celebrity Roast Himself

1977 The Merv Griffin Show Himself

1977 The Mike Douglas Show Himself

1977 The Hollywood Squares Himself

1960 Sugarfoot James Reilly

TV Roles

2013 American Pickers (dumentary)

2011 Off the Boulevard (Documentary)

2009 A Journey of Faith: The Making of Book of Ruth (documentary)

2005 Hawaiian Tropic Celebrity Golf Tournament (documentary) 2005 Cathouse: The Series (documentary)

2004 Beyond Ordinary: (documentary) The Making of 'An Ordinary Killer'

1977-1978 The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams James 'Grizzly' Adams

Movie Roles

2013 Axe Giant: The Wrath of Paul Bunyan Foreman Bill

2013 Dead in 5 Heartbeats Merle

2007 Big Stan Tubby

2004 Motocross Kids Bear

2003 An Ordinary Killer Detective Jim LeBaron

2000 Escape to Grizzly Mountain Jeremiah

1999 Puss in Boots Voice of King (English Version)

1998 Born Champion Buck McCoy

1997 Grizzly Mountain Jeremiah

1996 Father Frost King Of Storyland

1995 The Little Patriot Colonel Rose

1995 Abducted II: The Reunion Joe Evans

1994 Cheyenne Warrior Barkley

1992 Love and Dynam Frank

1992 The Magic Voyage Voice of King Ferdinand IV

1991 Soldier's Fortune Hollis Bodine

1991 Spirit of the Eagle Big Eli McDonaugh

1990 One Man War Cole Jackson

1990 Repo Jake Jake

1990 The Channeler Arnie

1990 The Inheritor Dr. Berquist

1990 Chance Zach

1989 Ice Pawn Edgar Dalton

1989 Mind Trap Sergei

1989 The Chilling Sergeant Vince Marlow

1989 Elves Mike McGavin

1988 Night Wars Dr. Mike Campbell

1986 Abducted Joe Evans

1983 Ladies Night Steve

1982 The Capture of Grizzly Adams James 'Grizzly' Adams

1981 Legend of the Wild Grizzly Adams

1980 Condominium Sam Harrison

1978 Terror Out of the Sky Nick Willis

1978 Desperate Women Benjamin Ward

1976 The Adventures of Frontier Fremont Frontier Fremont

1974 The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams James Capen Adams

1974 When the North Wind Blows Tsezar

1973 Hex Brother Billy

1969 Easy Rider Man in Communety

1967 Sail to Glory W. H. Brown

1965 Girl Happy Charlie

1964 Muscle Beach Party Biff

Upcoming Roles

2016 The Untold Story Captain

2016 40 Nights Yahweh

* This is not a complete list of credits as Dan Haggerty's lifetime of accomplishments are far too

numerous to compile.

Youtube Videos

(with much thanks to the individuals who origionally posted these videos)

James Grizzly https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkz1vAP2KOeNWKiV2YZruWQ

Deano Essex https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTB9_oH71iJxITr5N-lCUEA