Pernell Roberts

“I was so unhappy during the last months on 'Bonanza' I was really neurotic. I was anti-social.”

“When I finish a movie, I get in my camper and drive around the country.”

“Stuck as Adam Cartwright, I was only able to use about one-tenth of my ability.”

“As we get older, we become more political in terms of survival. We realize a certain amount of cunning is necessary and that you just end up a victim when you are totally honest in an environment where those around you arent. It's a matter of remaining true to yourself while continuing to move forward.”

“I don't have a battery of agents to surround me in a cocoon.”

“There has been an obvious effort to play it safe, to make 'Bonanza' a good family show that would offend no one and hit a consistent level of mediocrity.”

“I take parts when I feel like it.”

“I didn't leave 'Bonanza' in pursuit of any particular goal. I left for my own good.”

“The number one show on television should be the most informative, educational and exciting show. 'Bonanza' is not that show.”

“Money isn't that important to me. My needs are primarily artistic. Mainly I'm interested in my own peace of mind, in knowing who I am and what I am.”

“I work when, and where I want to.”

“I've worked a lot in Europe, particularly Spain, which I like very much.”

“My problems with 'Bonanza' were problems of communication. What we discussed would be, never was. I thought it would be a sophisticated show. Instead it never went beyond the comic strip level.”

“I feel I am an aristocrat in my field of endeavor. My being part of 'Bonanza' was like Isaac Stern sitting in with Lawrence Welk.”

“Materialism isn't the panacea that so many people think it is.”

“If you're locked into a philosophy of nickels and dimes, then you have a pretty limited approach to life. I don't need a lot of money to live with dignity.”

“I don't have the psychological stamina to last under artistic compromises over a prolonged period of time. I get hostile and vindictive. It wears me down.”

“I stay out of typecasting ruts.”

“I wanted to work strictly as a freelance actor, and that's the way it turned out.”

“For a long time after I left 'Bonanza,' I was considered too independent. That meant I got the rejects other actors could afford turning down. I did theater which I loved, but it cannot pay the bills.”