Why Some Of The ‘Bonanza’ Cast Bought A Beach In Malibu, Only To Give It Away

sources: Southern California Beaches /
Etsy/TVTreasuresOfPast

Many of us will have fond memories of the American Western television series Bonanza. Airing from 1959 to 1973, the show became one of the longest-running Western series and one of the longest-running live-action American series in history. While multiple actors appeared in the show throughout the 14 seasons it was on air, many would argue that the most notable stars in the show were Michael Landon, Dan Blocker, and Lorne Greene.

As the series was so popular, its main actors were making around $10,000 each per episode. To put things in perspective, that’s about $95,000 per episode in today’s money. Plainly speaking, the actors were pulling in quite a bit of cash. And so, Michael Landon, Dan Blocker, and Lorne Greene decided to pool some of that money and make an investment.

During those years, the three actors decided to purchase a half-mile stretch of Corral State Beach in Malibu, California for $2 million. That’s roughly $18 million in today’s money. With Malibu being home to some of the world’s wealthiest (including both Landon and Blocker back then), it was undoubtedly a wise investment.

However, Blocker sadly died in May 1972 from complications resulting from gallbladder surgery. With their beloved friend, co-star, and real estate partner gone, Landon and Greene decided to donate the land to the state in 1979 to be used for public recreation. Amazingly, the beach sat unused for years, and wasn’t opened to the public until 2014. It is now named the Dan Blocker Beach in the great Bonanza star’s honor. We have now lost both Landon and Greene as well. May they all rest in peace, and I hope they’re enjoying an endless stream of Westerns in heaven.