Dan Haggerty, Who Played Grizzly Adams

Dan Haggerty, who gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of the kind mountain man with a striking beard and his bear friend Ben in the NBC television series and 1974 film “The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams,” passed away on Friday in Burbank, California. His age was 73 years.

Terry Bomar, his manager and friend, stated that spinal cancer was the cause of death.

Dan Haggerty was creating a name for himself in Hollywood as an animal handler and stuntman before landing his famous part. When a producer requested him to appear in a few opening moments for a film about a woodsman and his bear, it was his big break. The plot, which is based on a novel by Charles Sellier Jr., centers on a man who flees to the woods after being wrongfully convicted of murder, becomes friends with the local wildlife, and takes in an abandoned bear.

Haggerty accepted to do the part, but he had one requirement: he had to appear in the whole film. Despite having a relatively low budget of $165,000, the film’s remake brought in close to $30 million at the box office. Because of this popularity, a television series was created, and in February 1977, Haggerty went back to playing the character of the wild and outdoorsy wilderness guardian.

The audience responded well to the show. It lukewarms the heart, as The New York Times’ John Leonard observed in his review. A large lump in the throat and a lot of communing with nature are experienced when a man and a bear hide out in a log cabin. Haggerty won a 1978 People’s Choice Award for being the most well-liked actor in a new series because of the series’ warm and sympathetic tone, which won over a lot of viewers.

The series also yielded two follow-ups: “Legend of the Wild,” which was broadcast on television in 1978 and eventually released in theaters in 1981, and “The Capture of Grizzly Adams,” a 1982 television film in which Adams ultimately exonerates himself of the false charge.

Born in Los Angeles on November 19, 1942, Daniel Francis Haggerty had a difficult upbringing. He had a turbulent childhood, breaking out of military school several times before coming home with his actor-father in Burbank when his parents divorced when he was three years old.

Haggerty was married twice in his personal life. When he was 17, he got married to Diane Rooker, but they later got divorced. In 2008, he lost his second wife, Samantha Hilton, in a horrific motorbike accident. His children, Don, Megan, Tracy, Dylan, and Cody, survive him.

In his debut motion picture, “Muscle Beach Party” (1964), Haggerty portrayed bodybuilder Biff. After that, he played supporting parts in motorcycle and wildlife movies. He was a hippie commune member in “Easy Rider.” He also played the role off-screen, living with a variety of wild creatures he had either tamed or rescued on a small ranch in Malibu Canyon.

His expertise with animals led to positions as an animal trainer and stuntman for television shows including “Daktari” and “Tarzan.” He kept taking on parts like “Where the North Wind Blows” (1974) and “The Adventures of Frontier Fremont” (1976) that highlighted his affinity for the natural world. His love of outdoor parts brought him roles evoking Grizzly Adams to movies like “Grizzly Mountain” (1997) and “Escape to Grizzly Mountain” (2000).

Haggerty had appearances in a number of horror movies later in his career, such as “Terror Night” (1987) and “Elves” (1989). He was involved in court in 1985 and was given a 90-day jail sentence for distributing cocaine to police officers who were undercover.

Tragic incidents also occurred in his life. Haggerty suffered third-degree burns to his arms when a diner carrying a burning drink unintentionally caught his renowned beard on fire in 1977 when he was dining. Despite being admitted to the hospital and supposed to stay for a month, he left after just ten days, claiming to have expertise of curing animals.

“The first couple of days I just lay in the dark room drinking water, like a wounded wolf trying to heal myself,” he said, reflecting on his injury, to People magazine.

I Was Sure It Was My Husband’s Daughter Living with Us Until I Came Home Early One Day

For years, I thought I’d never find love, until I met Aiden. But one quiet evening, a sound from upstairs revealed the truth: my charming husband and his “daughter” weren’t who they claimed to be.

At 49, I thought my life had finally come together. After years of focusing on my career and building my business empire, I had everything except someone to share it with. Then I met Aiden.

A serious woman working | Source: Pexels

He was charming in a way that felt honest, not flashy. With his warm brown eyes and easy smile, he made me feel seen. We met at a fundraiser, and our conversation flowed like we’d known each other forever.

“I’m not much for these events,” Aiden had said, sipping his wine. “But it was Emily’s idea. She says I need to get out more.”

A man talking to a woman at an official event | Source: Midjourney

“Emily?” I asked.

“My daughter. She’s eighteen. It’s been just the two of us since my wife passed. She’s been my rock.”

Something in his voice, the way it softened when he said her name, tugged at my heart.

A smiling woman at an event | Source: Midjourney

Aiden swept me off my feet. He sent flowers to my office, planned quiet dinners, and always listened when I needed to vent about work.

“You make me feel like a teenager,” I told him one evening.

“Well, you make me feel alive again,” he replied, taking my hand.

A couple holding hands | Source: Pexels

When he introduced me to Emily, I was nervous. I didn’t know how a teenage daughter would react to her father dating. But Emily was polite, almost shy.

“It’s nice to meet you,” she said, her voice soft. “Dad talks about you all the time.”

She had a delicate, almost fragile look. Her big eyes that seemed too old for her age, like her mother’s passing made her lose her childish naiveté.

A sad young woman | Source: Pexels

“I’ve heard a lot about you, too,” I said, trying to break the ice. “All good things, of course.”

She smiled faintly. “He’s just happy. I haven’t seen him like this in years.”

Over the months, I grew close to both Aiden and Emily. Aiden was kind, dependable, and attentive. And Emily? She was reserved but sweet. She’d join us for family dinners, but she mostly kept to herself, studying or reading.

A girl studying | Source: Pexels

One evening, Aiden mentioned they were having trouble with their house.

“The roof needs repairs,” he explained. “It’s been one thing after another since Liz passed. I’m starting to feel like I’m cursed.”

“Why don’t you both stay with me while it’s fixed?” I offered.

A woman talking to her husband | Source: Midjourney

Aiden hesitated. “Are you sure? That’s a big step.”

“Of course,” I said. “You’re practically family already.”

They moved in a week later. Eventually, after two months of living together, we realized we couldn’t wait to be together forever and got married.

Wedding rings | Source: Pexels

At first, my marriage seemed perfect. Aiden cooked breakfast most mornings, and Emily would shyly thank me when I left snacks on the counter for her or brought her little gifts.

But there were little things about Emily that I couldn’t quite figure out. She didn’t seem to have many friends, and when I asked about school, she’d give vague answers.

“It’s just boring stuff,” she’d say. “You wouldn’t want to hear about it.”

A woman studying and looking to her side | Source: Pexels

“She’s always been private,” Aiden explained when I brought it up. “It’s her way of coping, I think.”

Still, something felt… off. I dismissed it, telling myself I was overthinking. They’d been through a lot. It wasn’t my place to judge.

Then came that evening.

A woman working in an office | Source: Midjourney

I’d planned a surprise for Aiden. A special dinner to celebrate our first year together. Leaving work early, I let myself in, expecting the usual quiet hum of the house.

Instead, I heard laughter coming from upstairs. My heart skipped a beat as a voice rang out, “Does she really wear this?!”

Before I could process what was happening, one of my dresses came flying down from the second floor, landing in a heap on the living room floor.

Shocked, I rushed upstairs.

A cautious woman walking up the stairs | Source: Midjourney

When I reached the bedroom, the door was slightly ajar. Through the crack, I saw Aiden and Emily sitting on the bed.

My jewelry box was open between them, and one of my diamond necklaces glinted in Emily’s hands. Around them, my things were scattered: cash, watches, and small valuables I hadn’t even realized were missing.

An open jewelry box | Source: Pexels

At first, I froze. Were they tidying up? Planning a surprise? I tried to make sense of it, but something about the scene felt wrong. Emily’s bag sat open, half-full with what looked like my belongings.

“Careful,” Aiden said, his tone low. “Don’t forget the bottom drawer. There’s more in there.”

Emily laughed softly. “I know, I know. This is way easier than the last time.”

A woman digging in a jewelry box | Source: Midjourney

My heart plummeted. The last time?

I backed away slowly, my breath caught in my throat. They hadn’t seen me, and I wasn’t about to let them know I was there. Quietly, I crept down the stairs, my mind racing.

Once I was safely in the living room, I grabbed my phone and activated the security system. With a few taps, I locked the bedroom door, trapping them inside.

A closed bedroom | Source: Freepik

I called Sarah, my detective friend, my hands shaking as I explained what I’d seen.

“They’re in my bedroom, packing my valuables,” I whispered. “I locked them in with my security system. Sarah, I think they’re stealing from me.”

“Stay calm,” she said, her voice firm. “Call the police right now. I’ll head over and meet you there.”

A concerned woman talking on her phone | Source: Midjourney

When I hung up, I dialed 911, my voice trembling as I explained the situation. The dispatcher assured me officers were on their way.

From my phone, I pulled up the security camera feed of the bedroom. Aiden was yanking at the door handle, his face tense. Emily paced the room, gesturing wildly.

“What the hell is going on?” Emily snapped.

A panicked man trying to open the bedroom door | Source: Midjourney

“The door’s locked!” Aiden barked. “I don’t know how, but she must’ve done this.”

Emily’s voice rose. “You said she wouldn’t catch on! This was supposed to be easy!”

I clenched my fists, anger and betrayal simmering beneath the surface. They’d played me for a fool, but their little game was over.

An angry woman clenching her fists | Source: Midjourney

When the police arrived, I let them in and directed them to the bedroom. Two officers went upstairs, while I stood in the foyer with Sarah, my legs trembling.

Minutes later, Aiden and Emily were brought downstairs, their hands cuffed behind their backs. Aiden’s face was unreadable, but Emily glared at me with thinly veiled hatred.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Aiden asked, his voice sharp but measured.

A handcuffed couple | Source: Midjourney

“You tell me,” I said coldly, crossing my arms.

One of the officers held up Emily’s bag. “We found these,” he said, showing the cash, jewelry, and watches inside. “Care to explain?”

Emily’s façade cracked first. “Fine! We were going to take them, okay?” she snapped. “But it’s not like she even notices half this stuff!”

An angry young woman | Source: Freepik

“Emily!” Aiden hissed, but it was too late.

“Emily?” the officer said, his voice steady despite the storm inside. “That’s funny, considering your real name isn’t even Emily.”

I stared at them in shock. “How do you know that?”

“They are thieves. Con artists. Did this in several states and escaped every time. Well, until they ran into you, ma’am.”

Two policemen working | Source: Midjourney

I nodded.

“We found multiple IDs in their belongings. Names don’t match. And her date of birth? Doesn’t make her eighteen. She’s thirty-two.”

The room spun for a moment. 32. Aiden had told me she was just a teenager. My skin prickled with disgust.

A disgusted woman in her living room | Source: Midjourney

The officers pressed Aiden for more information, and under pressure, he finally broke. “It’s not what you think,” he muttered, avoiding my eyes. “We needed the money. You don’t understand—”

“I don’t understand?” I interrupted, my voice rising. “I welcomed you into my home! I trusted you! And all this time, you’ve been lying to me?”

Sarah stepped in, her expression grim. “We’ve seen cases like this before. They pose as a family, target someone wealthy, and rob them blind.”

A serious woman in her living room | Source: Midjourney

“They’re good at it,” one of the officers added. “Too good. We’ll need to look through the evidence, but there’s already enough here to charge them.”

As the police led Aiden and Emily to the door, Aiden turned back to me, his mask of charm completely gone.

“You’re going to regret this,” he said, his voice cold.

An angry man in handcuffs | Source: Midjourney

I stared him down, refusing to flinch. “No, Aiden. You are.”

Emily, now tearful, looked back at me. “We didn’t mean to hurt you,” she mumbled.

I didn’t respond. I wasn’t going to waste another ounce of emotion on them.

That night, after the house was quiet again, I sat alone in the living room. The weight of what had happened settled over me like a heavy blanket.

A sad thoughtful woman in her living room | Source: Midjourney

They’d deceived me so thoroughly, playing on my need for love and connection.

For days, I replayed the little moments I’d overlooked. Emily’s vague answers. Aiden’s reluctance to share details about his past. The way they always seemed to know exactly what to say.

Sarah came by later that week. “You’re not the first person they’ve targeted,” she said. “And you wouldn’t have been the last. But you stopped them. That’s what matters.”