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wanted to see how the character would resonate with people. Apparently it resonated well. He officially asked me to join the cast not long after. It was quite exciting to be asked to do something like that without having to audition or anything [laughs].”</p><p id="9d6b">Now that CBS/Paramount Home Entertainment is releasing complete seasons of <i>Bonanza</i> on DVD after decades of inactivity, would Vogel participate in a commentary track if asked? “I would love to do that,” admits the soft-spoken gentleman. As to what he would like to communicate to fans of the family-themed program, Vogel pauses for a moment and says, “I’m really grateful that <i>Bonanza</i> has touched people like it has. May God bless them.”</p><h2 id="47e4">DON’T GO ANYWHERE YET! IN PART TWO of the Mitch Vogel interview, you’ll get the lowdown on Dan Blocker’s mischievous pranks, “Little House on the Prairie,” Victor French, Steve McQueen’s driving acumen, a horse accident on the set of “The Reivers,” “Gunsmoke,” James Arness’ exasperation with boots, Jodie Foster, the rare Disney films “Menace on the Mountain” and “Bayou Boy,” and loads more.</h2><div id="fba3" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/dynamite-cowboy-boots-horse-falls-and-toupee-hijinks-with-steve-mcqueens-costar-mitch-vogel-aff1f6de461e"> <div> <div> <h2>Dynamite, cowboy boots, horse falls, and toupee hijinks with Steve McQueen’s costar Mitch Vogel [PART TWO OF THE INTERVIEW]</h2> <div><h3>The adopted rainmaker son of Ben Cartwright is all aboard for ‘Bonanza,’ ‘Gunsmoke,’ ‘Little House on the Prairie,’…</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*DvvJHhDqiNYoYkj0Vrgyvg.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><figure id="b930"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*japX15i5Yrlf2C5eMoE2xg.jpeg"><figcaption><b><i>Circa June 1971, Mitch Vogel is captured as orphan Jamie Hunter on “Bonanza”, later adopted by benevolent Ponderosa patriarch Ben Cartwright [Lorne Greene]. Producer-creator David Dortort wished to continue the series’ father-son dynamic since Michael Landon had reached his mid-30s by the early 1970s. Image Credit: Bonanza Brits</i></b></figcaption></figure><figure id="f55b"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*py96bQqJbGr-xKGHDUjHtQ.jpeg"><figcaption><b>Taken in August 1972 in the Red Hills Mountain Range — south of Chinese Camp, California — David Canary, Michael Landon, Lorne Greene, Mitch Vogel, and Tim Matheson are captured filming the “Stallion” episode during “Bonanza’s” final season. Notice the authentic Shay locomotive #3 train. Image Credit: <i>Bonanza Ventures / NBCUniversal</i></b></figcaption></figure><figure id="6bf3"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*XttHj91CN1nNuLeqZaWUvQ.jpeg"><figcaption><b>The March 27–April 2, 1971 cover of TV Guide magazine, featuring Michael Landon, Dan Blocker, Mitch Vogel, and Lorne Greene of “Bonanza” fame. <i>Photography by Gene Trindl / TV Guide</i></b></figcaption></figure><figure id="0f57"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*q9Rjb4FoUWu5XbKKq7jeog.jpeg"><figcaption><b>“Some Texans Recall Hoss When He Was Just a Colt:” Presenting the August 14–20, 1971 cover of TV Guide magazine, featuring a caricature of Dan Blocker as the lovable Hoss Cartwright. Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, and Mitch Vogel are visible in the background. <i>Illustration by Jack Davis / TV Guide</i></b></figcaption></figure><figure id="9a11"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*bbUwYpbDqsmxMf5l81CVmQ.jpeg"><figcaption><b>Featured for the last time on the cover of TV Guide magazine is the cast of “Bonanza” in the shocking aftermath of costar Dan Blocker’s sudden passing. Entitled “Bonanza: How They’ll Carry on Without Hoss,” the story ran in the October 7–13, 1972, edition. Clockwise from top left are illustrations of Michael Landon, David Canary, Tim Matheson, Lorne Greene, and Mitch Vogel. The Landon rendering is particularly awful. <i>Illustration by Mark English / TV Guide</i></b></figcaption></figure><figure id="48

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30"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*yMBg0QNDB3lBQzNqrnnk7A.jpeg"><figcaption><b>Mitch Vogel [Jamie Hunter Cartwright] and Michael Landon [Little Joe Cartwright] share a laugh in a publicity photo taken for season 12 of “Bonanza” circa June 1970. Image Credit: <i>Bonanza Ventures / NBC Universal</i></b></figcaption></figure><div id="dc09" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/little-house-on-the-prairie-star-michael-landon-did-something-useful-with-his-life-fabcc1c71549"> <div> <div> <h2>‘Little House on the Prairie’ star Michael Landon did something useful with his life</h2> <div><h3>Michael Landon persists as one of my favorite actors who was hands down the most popular television star ever. For a…</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*F35ZZnhM7ChwdwBlVHZrmQ.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="0720" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-single-pilgrim-transformation-of-bonanza-guest-star-beth-brickell-d5a108ec65f1"> <div> <div> <h2>The ‘Single Pilgrim’ transformation of ‘Bonanza’ guest star Beth Brickell</h2> <div><h3>Beth Brickell, Do any memories come to mind from your brief stint on perhaps the most iconic western series of them…</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*RHyDzNOn_tBew4QChJyAOA.png)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="0af3" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/a-warmhearted-retrospective-with-big-valley-heroine-linda-evans-bf47205836a2"> <div> <div> <h2>A warmhearted retrospective with ‘Big Valley’ cowgirl Linda Evans</h2> <div><h3>The 1960s family western costarred future Six Million Dollar Man Lee Majors, Oscar nominee Barbara Stanwyck, Richard…</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*YZ6YlPxl9-Pmf3csCxUFmw.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="df9c" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/heart-to-heart-with-two-and-a-half-men-outsider-jennifer-taylor-187052e1d1"> <div> <div> <h2>Heart to heart with ‘Two and a Half Men’ outsider Jennifer Taylor</h2> <div><h3>In her most expansive interview, Charlie Sheen’s former TV fiancé talks #MeToo, bad auditions, lactose intolerance…</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*HcYRGhKvojWIAXLy9kEKFQ.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="192e" class="link-block"> <a href="https://jeremylr.medium.com/saddles-and-spurs-and-hard-times-with-a-charles-bronson-historian-9dd5ddcdea97"> <div> <div> <h2>Saddles and spurs and hard times with a Charles Bronson historian</h2> <div><h3>Kurt Russell’s birthday gift, sex kitten Susan Oliver, an uncooperative James Coburn, a haunting Alzheimer’s descent…</h3></div> <div><p>jeremylr.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*-NM1k2lrBcujR5GqznSzNw.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="52c9"><i>© Jeremy Roberts, 2014, 2017. All rights reserved. To touch base, email <a href="mailto:[email protected]"></a></i><a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]<i></i></a><i> and mention which story led you my way. I appreciate it sincerely.</i></p></article></body>

Mitch Vogel spills the beans on joining beloved television series ‘Bonanza’

Lorne Greene and Mitch Vogel emblazon their characterizations of Ben “Pa” Cartwright and Jamie Cartwright, respectively, circa June 1970. The autographed inscription reads, “To Eva, Thanks for writing! Love & Life, Best Always, Mitch Vogel ‘Jamie.’” Image courtesy of Eva Foran Mayer / Bonanza Boomers

Former teen cowboy Mitch Vogel may not be a household name, yet his exemplary work during the final three seasons of Bonanza, by far the most popular television series of the 1960s and an unheralded impetus for NBC Universal’s domineering corporate conglomeration, earns deserved mention in a brief interview unveiled today. The red-headed actor clarifies how he joined the Bonanza cast as orphaned rainmaker Jamie Hunter and ultimately became the adopted son of Ponderosa patriarch Ben Cartwright.

Introduced in United Artists’ top-grossing film of 1968, the family comedy Yours, Mine and Ours, Vogel quickly garnered the attention of Steve McQueen. The King of Cool confounded critics and fans alike by tackling The Reivers, William Faulkner’s lighthearted depiction of early 20th century Mississippi. Vogel nabbed the pivotal role of Winton Flyer auto adventurer Lucius Priest.

“I actually did a guest star part on Bonanza when I was 12 years old — two seasons before I officially joined the cast,” confirms Vogel. “The episode was called ‘The Real People of Muddy Creek’ [broadcast on October 6, 1968, during season 10].

“I was a young, working child actor who had only appeared onscreen up to that point in Yours, Mine and Ours [Vogel was Tommy, one of Lucille Ball’s eight children. Coincidentally, Tim Matheson, who joined Bonanza during its ill-fated final season as parolee turned ranch hand Griff King, portrayed the eldest of Henry Fonda’s 10 kids] and an episode of the short-lived 1967 Western Dundee and the Culhane [Academy Award winner John Mills portrayed a British lawyer who teams up with a younger Irish-American lawyer — Sean Garrison — to practice law in the Wild West].

“I didn’t even have to audition for ‘The Real People of Muddy Creek.’ They just asked me to do it. Even though it was a small part, I had a great time being there. I remember being on the set for about two days.

“The thing that impressed me so much was that Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, and Dan Blocker were all so very nice to me. They brought me pictures — which I didn’t ask for — that they signed to me. They made me feel so special.

“Fast-forward a bit, and creator-executive producer David Dortort had apparently seen me in The Reivers with Steve [released on Christmas Day 1969]. I got a call from David saying he would like to use me in one of his shows. At that time he didn’t know if it was gonna be Bonanza or The High Chaparral [Mark Slade, who played heartthrob Blue Boy Cannon, decided to exit Chaparral at the conclusion of its third season].

“David decided to cast Rudy Ramos as a half-Pawnee, half-white youth named Wind, so he wrote the part of Jamie Hunter for Bonanza. The first appearance of Jamie was in ‘A Matter of Faith’ — the rainmaker episode [broadcast on September 20, 1970; the second episode from season 12].

“David actually didn’t tell me that I was going to be a series regular. He kinda said, ‘You can come and stay with us.’ But it wasn’t a commitment at that point for a series. I guess David wanted to see how the character would resonate with people. Apparently it resonated well. He officially asked me to join the cast not long after. It was quite exciting to be asked to do something like that without having to audition or anything [laughs].”

Now that CBS/Paramount Home Entertainment is releasing complete seasons of Bonanza on DVD after decades of inactivity, would Vogel participate in a commentary track if asked? “I would love to do that,” admits the soft-spoken gentleman. As to what he would like to communicate to fans of the family-themed program, Vogel pauses for a moment and says, “I’m really grateful that Bonanza has touched people like it has. May God bless them.”

DON’T GO ANYWHERE YET! IN PART TWO of the Mitch Vogel interview, you’ll get the lowdown on Dan Blocker’s mischievous pranks, “Little House on the Prairie,” Victor French, Steve McQueen’s driving acumen, a horse accident on the set of “The Reivers,” “Gunsmoke,” James Arness’ exasperation with boots, Jodie Foster, the rare Disney films “Menace on the Mountain” and “Bayou Boy,” and loads more.

Circa June 1971, Mitch Vogel is captured as orphan Jamie Hunter on “Bonanza”, later adopted by benevolent Ponderosa patriarch Ben Cartwright [Lorne Greene]. Producer-creator David Dortort wished to continue the series’ father-son dynamic since Michael Landon had reached his mid-30s by the early 1970s. Image Credit: Bonanza Brits
Taken in August 1972 in the Red Hills Mountain Range — south of Chinese Camp, California — David Canary, Michael Landon, Lorne Greene, Mitch Vogel, and Tim Matheson are captured filming the “Stallion” episode during “Bonanza’s” final season. Notice the authentic Shay locomotive #3 train. Image Credit: Bonanza Ventures / NBCUniversal
The March 27–April 2, 1971 cover of TV Guide magazine, featuring Michael Landon, Dan Blocker, Mitch Vogel, and Lorne Greene of “Bonanza” fame. Photography by Gene Trindl / TV Guide
“Some Texans Recall Hoss When He Was Just a Colt:” Presenting the August 14–20, 1971 cover of TV Guide magazine, featuring a caricature of Dan Blocker as the lovable Hoss Cartwright. Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, and Mitch Vogel are visible in the background. Illustration by Jack Davis / TV Guide
Featured for the last time on the cover of TV Guide magazine is the cast of “Bonanza” in the shocking aftermath of costar Dan Blocker’s sudden passing. Entitled “Bonanza: How They’ll Carry on Without Hoss,” the story ran in the October 7–13, 1972, edition. Clockwise from top left are illustrations of Michael Landon, David Canary, Tim Matheson, Lorne Greene, and Mitch Vogel. The Landon rendering is particularly awful. Illustration by Mark English / TV Guide
Mitch Vogel [Jamie Hunter Cartwright] and Michael Landon [Little Joe Cartwright] share a laugh in a publicity photo taken for season 12 of “Bonanza” circa June 1970. Image Credit: Bonanza Ventures / NBC Universal

© Jeremy Roberts, 2014, 2017. All rights reserved. To touch base, email [email protected] and mention which story led you my way. I appreciate it sincerely.

Television
Western
Bonanza
Family
Inspiration
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