Dirk Blocker is a well-known actor who stars as Detective Michael Hitchcock on the popular comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine. But did you know that he is also the son of another famous actor, Dan Blocker, who played Hoss Cartwright on the classic western show Bonanza? In this article, we will explore the relationship between Dirk and Dan Blocker, and how they both made their mark in Hollywood.
Dirk Blocker’s Early Life and Career
Dirk Blocker was born on July 31, 1957, in Los Angeles, California, as Dennis Dirk Blocker. He is the youngest of four children of Dan Blocker and Dolphia Lee Blocker (née Parker). His twin sisters are Debra Lee and Danna Lynn, and his brother is David Blocker, who is a producer.
Dirk Blocker appeared onscreen for the first time with his father in a 1964 car commercial. He began acting on television in 1974, when he was 16 years old, in an episode of Marcus Welby, M.D. He has had guest roles in many shows, such as Little House on the Prairie, The X-Files, ER, M*A*S*H, Murder, She Wrote, and CHiPs.
He earned his first regular TV role on Baa Baa Black Sheep (1976–1978), playing pilot Jerry Bragg. He did not have another regular TV series role until being cast in Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–2021), where he plays the hilarious and loyal Detective Hitchcock.
He has also appeared in several movies, such as Midnight Madness (1980), Poltergeist (1982), Starman (1984), Prince of Darkness (1987), Cutting Class (1989), Short Cuts (1993), and Mad City (1997).
According to NBC, Dirk Blocker went back to school to earn his bachelor of arts degree so he could teach K-12. He also published a book in 2017, titled Master and the Little Monk, about a lonely young boy who is befriended by a unique ally and mentor.
Dan Blocker’s Legacy and Influence
Dan Blocker was born on December 10, 1928, in De Kalb, Texas. He served in the military for two years before pursuing his master’s degree in dramatic arts. He got his big break in 1959, when he was cast as Eric “Hoss” Cartwright on the NBC television series Bonanza. He played the gentle giant and comic relief of the Cartwright family until his death on May 13, 1972, at the age of 43. He died of a pulmonary embolism following a gall bladder surgery.
Dan Blocker was also a movie star, working with Frank Sinatra in Come Blow Your Horn (1963) and Lady in Cement (1968). His other films include Something for a Lonely Man (1968) and Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico County (1970). He also appeared on The Flip Wilson Show comedy hour.
Dan Blocker was a beloved actor who was known for his generosity and kindness. He was also a Free Methodist who valued his privacy and simplicity. He left behind his wife and four children, who keep his legacy alive.
Dirk Blocker has said that his father was his hero and inspiration. He has also said that he inherited his father’s looks and sense of humor. He has paid tribute to his father by acting in the same capacity in the reboot Bonanza: The Return (1993) and by wearing his father’s ring on Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Conclusion
Dirk Blocker is indeed related to Dan Blocker. They are father and son who share not only a family bond but also a passion for acting. They have both entertained millions of viewers with their talent and charisma. They are both icons of their respective genres and generations..
