  dan blocker (december 10, 1928 &ndash; may 13, 1972) was an american television actor and korean war veteran. he is best remembered for his role as eric "hoss" cartwright in the nbc western television series bonanza. ==biography== ===early life=== blocker was born bobby dan davis blocker in de kalb in bowie county in northeastern texas, son of ora shack blocker (1895â1960) and his wife mary davis blocker (1901â1998). the family moved to o'donnell, south of lubbock in west texas, where they operated a store.  he attended texas military institute and in 1946 played football at baptist-affiliated hardin-simmons university in abilene, texas. he graduated from sul ross state teacher's college in alpine, where he earned a master's degree in the dramatic arts. (although the "hoss" character on bonanza was conceived as lovable but not as clever as his brothers, blocker was the only cast member with a graduate degree). blocker was a high school english and drama teacher in sonora, texas, a sixth-grade teacher and coach at eddy elementary school in carlsbad, new mexico, and finally, a teacher in california. he had worked as a rodeo performer and as a bouncer in a beer bar while a student. he is remembered from his school days for his size of  and weight of , and for being good-natured despite his intimidating size. ===korean war=== blocker was drafted into the united states army during the korean war. he had basic training at fort polk, louisiana. he served as an infantry sergeant in f company, 2nd battalion, 179th infantry regiment, [[45th infantry division (united states)|45th infantry
1928_births 1972_deaths 20th-century_American_male_actors American_male_film_actors American_male_television_actors American_military_personnel_of_the_Korean_War California_Democrats Can-Am_entrants Deaths_from_pulmonary_embolism Deaths_from_surgical_complications HardinaSimmons_University_alumni Male_actors_from_Los_Angeles,_California Male_actors_from_Texas People_associated_with_the_Free_Methodist_Church People_from_Bowie_County,_Texas People_from_Lynn_County,_Texas People_from_Sutton_County,_Texas United_States_Army_soldiers Western_(genre)_television_actors