Dan Blocker wasn’t concerned with his weight while on Bonanza [Video]

Amid a world filled with calorie counters, Bonanza’s Dan Blocker stood out like a monument. At 275 pounds, Blocker wasn’t thinking about a gluten-free diet, or any diet for that matter. Why would he? He built his career on being big. 

Blocker’s physical stature, standing at 6 feet 4 inches, greatly influenced the portrayal of his character Hoss Cartwright. His imposing size helped contribute to Hoss’s image as a gentle giant and as the most kind-hearted member of the Cartwright family. 

However, according to a 1962 interview with The Napa Valley Register, Blocker said he had gained a few pounds since his success in the series and while touring. In a world full of money, fame and free dinners, it could be hard to stay small.

“Trouble with those tours is everybody wants to feed you,” Blocker said. “They give you a big breakfast and a big lunch and then a big dinner, thinking they’re doing you a favor. You feel like a heel …