Dolphia Blocker, Wife of Bonanza's Hoss Cartwright, Dies at 93

Dolphia Blocker, the devoted wife of the late "Bonanza" actor Dan Blocker, passed away on April 19, 2026, at the age of 93. Her death was attributed to a stroke, occurring near her Santa Barbara residence.

She met Dan Blocker while they were students at Sul Ross State Teacher's College. The couple married in September 1952, shortly after Dan's service in the Korean War. They relocated to Los Angeles in the late 1950s to support Dan's burgeoning acting career, raising their four children.

As Dan gained fame portraying Hoss Cartwright on "Bonanza" for 13 seasons, Dolphia managed to keep the family grounded. She maintained a strong commitment to her family and championed causes such as civil rights and peace.

After her children were grown, Dolphia lived in Santa Barbara for nearly four decades, enjoying travel, writing poetry, and supporting various initiatives. She was a central figure for her family, known for her tolerance, acceptance, and unconditional love. Her children, David and Dirk Blocker, have followed successful careers in production and acting, respectively.