David Dortort (born David Solomon Katz; October 23, 1916 – September 5, 2010)[2] was a Hollywood screenwriter and producer, widely known for his role as producer in two successful NBC television series: Bonanza (1959–73) and The High Chaparral (1967–71). Dortort's focus shifted in the late 1960s to the newer series, leaving the production of Bonanza largely to his associates during its last five and a half years (1967–1973).
From 1954–55, Dortort was involved in directing and writing for The Public Defender. He produced The Restless Gun (1957–59), The Cowboys television version (1974), and a prequel series featuring younger versions of the Bonanza characters called Ponderosa (2001), which was produced with Beth Sullivan. In 1979–1980, he created the 13-week CBS miniseries, The Chisholms. Michael Landon appeared in a supporting role in the pilot for The Restless Gun, starring John Payne, aired on March 19, 1957, as an episode of The Schlitz Playhouse of Stars and Dan Blocker played multiple roles in five episodes of The Restless Gun.[3]
Alan W. Livingston of NBC hired Dortort to write the screenplay for the pilot episode of Bonanza.[4] He did it at night, while producing The Restless Gun by day.[5]
In 2001, the alumni association of City College of New York, where he had studied history, honored him with its John H. Finley award.[6]
^Cite error: The named reference NYT was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Woo, Elaine (September 8, 2010). "David Dortort dies at 93; created and produced TV western 'Bonanza'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-09-22.
^Weber, Bruce (March 16, 2009). "Alan W. Livingston, Talent Spotter Who Signed Beatles, Dies at 91". New York Times. p. A25.
^King, Susan (September 19, 2009). "Autry National Center salutes 'Bonanza' Sunday". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 21, 2009.
^Arenson, Karen W. (October 3, 2001). "BULLETIN BOARD; City College Alumni Group Will Bestow Honors". New York Times. p. A19. Retrieved September 24, 2009.
DavidDortort (born David Solomon Katz; October 23, 1916 – September 5, 2010) was a Hollywood screenwriter and producer, widely known for his role as...
DavidDortort, the creator and producer of Bonanza, saw Canary in Hombre and cast him in the role of the new ranch foreman, Candy Canaday. Dortort said...
Cartwright cousin Will (Guy "Zorro" Williams), were unsuccessful. Creator DavidDortort introduced a storyline that would keep the character of Adam in the...
episode airing April 30, 1960. The series was developed and produced by DavidDortort, and season one starred Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker,...
final season for the series. The series was developed and produced by DavidDortort. Season fourteen starred Lorne Greene and Michael Landon, the first...
with his father. According to DavidDortort, sponsor General Motors was anxious about the episode. As producer, Dortort ensured that the episode re-aired...
Ray and produced by Jerry Wald and Norman Krasna from a screenplay by DavidDortort and Horace McCoy, with uncredited contributions by Alfred Hayes, Andrew...
is an American western television series developed and produced by DavidDortort and broadcast in the United States for 14 seasons on the NBC network...
created by DavidDortort, who had previously created Bonanza for the network. The theme song was written and conducted by Bonanza scorer David Rose, who...
television series for ABC starring Jim Davis, Diana Douglas, and Moses Gunn. DavidDortort, best known for Bonanza, The High Chaparral, and The Restless Gun, produced...
episode airing May 23, 1965. The series was developed and produced by DavidDortort, and season six starred Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker,...
episode airing April 2, 1972. The series was developed and produced by DavidDortort. Season thirteen starred Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon...
episode airing June 3, 1961. The series was developed and produced by DavidDortort, and season two starred Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker,...
episode airing May 20, 1962. The series was developed and produced by DavidDortort, and season three starred Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker...
NBC and Bonanza creator-producer DavidDortort. They proposed turning their small ranch into a theme park. NBC, Dortort, and the cast saw the tie-in as...
than any other cast member, Landon negotiated with executive producer DavidDortort and NBC to write and direct some episodes. In 1962, Landon wrote his...
Officer" from season seven, Fleming was brought back by series creator DavidDortort for the subsequent season to star as honorable Mormon rancher Heber...
episode airing April 11, 1971. The series was developed and produced by DavidDortort. Season twelve starred Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon...
Cream Suit. This brought him to the attention of television producer DavidDortort, who immediately recruited him for his television western series The...
episode airing April 19, 1970. The series was developed and produced by DavidDortort. Season eleven starred Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon...
episode airing May 15, 1966. The series was developed and produced by DavidDortort. Season seven starred Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon...
episode airing May 11, 1969. The series was developed and produced by DavidDortort. Season ten starred Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The...
episode airing May 14, 1967. The series was developed and produced by DavidDortort. Season eight starred Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon...
episode airing May 24, 1964. The series was developed and produced by DavidDortort, and season five starred Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker...
episode airing July 28, 1968. The series was developed and produced by DavidDortort. Season nine starred Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon....
appearing in 107 episodes between 1959 and 1973. Bonanza series creator DavidDortort told the Archive of American Television that the "Hop Sing" character...
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