Share Why Did Lorne Greene Leave Bonanza?

Lorne Greene, known for his role as Ben Cartwright in Bonanza, was a dedicated actor who always sought meaningful roles. He believed in the power of storytelling and wanted his characters to have depth and purpose. While he enjoyed his time on Bonanza, he felt his character was not being fully explored, and decided to leave the show after 16 episodes.

While it’s true that Lorne Greene wanted more for his character, the reason for his departure was more complex than a simple desire for more “purpose and depth.” In fact, Greene himself explained his decision in an interview, stating that the show’s creators were not willing to delve into the complexities of Ben Cartwright’s past, particularly his experiences in the Civil War. Greene felt that these experiences were crucial to understanding Ben’s character and his relationship with his sons. He believed that the show’s focus on the family’s day-to-day life was neglecting the rich historical context that could have been explored.

Greene was passionate about his craft and believed that a character’s history and past experiences were essential for creating a truly compelling performance. He wanted to bring a deeper understanding of Ben Cartwright to the audience, and when he realized that the show’s creators weren’t willing to explore those aspects, he decided to move on.