Dan Haggerty, best known for his role in “The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams,” died from cancer early Friday morning in Burbank. He was 74.
The actor’s manager, Terry Bomar, confirmed the news to Variety.
His daughter, Megan, was using a crowdfunding site to raise money for his fight against “this bear known as cancer,” and had accumulated about $10,500 of the $100,000 goal.
Haggerty played outdoorsman James Capen “Grizzly” Adams, who befriends a bear he raises as a cub, in the 1974 surprise box office hit “The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams” and the TV series of the same name, which aired on NBC from 1977 to 1978. He later played Adams in another film (1981) and in a 1982 telefilm
He also had small roles on other TV shows, including “Charlie’s Angels” in 1981 and “The Love Boat” in 1983.
Haggerty was arrested in 1985 after selling cocaine to two undercover police officers. His career was further derailed following a 1993 motorcycle accident that almost claimed his life. He returned to his iconic role four years and 18 operations later in “Grizzly Mountain” and its 2000 sequel.
Haggerty most recently appeared in 2013 films “Axe Giant: The Wrath of Paul Bunyan” and “Dead in 5 Heartbeats.”
Aside from Megan, Haggerty’s survivors include his other children, Dylan, Cody, Tracey and Don. A public service will be held in his honor at a yet-to-be-determined date.
