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  3. 'Bonanza': Guest Stars You Forgot Were On The Show

'Bonanza': Guest Stars You Forgot Were On The Show

Lucas Anderson / April 27, 2025 - 09:00 pm

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Pinterest Bonanza Guest Stars: Leonard Nimoy
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'Bonanza' Guest Stars

Bonanza was famous for its cast of "Cartwrights," but the TV Western also featured notable guest stars across its 14 seasons. The range of guests included iconic movie stars and many up-and-coming actors who would later become A-list names. 

In this gallery, we'll look back at the guest stars you probably forgot appeared on the show — starting with Leonard Nimoy! "Spock" himself acted in a 1960 episode, before again joining Bonanza for TV movie Under Attack in 1995. His future Star Trek co-star DeForest Kelley also had several Bonanza appearances.

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Pinterest Bonanza Guest Stars actors Ricardo Montalban episode season watch
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Ricardo Montalban on 'Bonanza'

Ricardo Montalban also had a Bonanza appearance before he became a legendary name on Star Trek and Fantasy Island. In a 1960 Bonanza episode, the Mexican-born actor played "Matsuo," an Indian who crosses paths with "Ben" (Lorne Greene).

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Pinterest Bonanza Guest Stars: Zsa Zsa Gabor
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Zsa Zsa Gabor on 'Bonanza'

Yes, even Zsa Zsa Gabor had an episode on Bonanza in season 8 (1967). She played "Madame Marova," a phoney fortuneteller who convinces "Hoss" (Dan Blocker) he's a skilled violinist. Zsa Zsa was one of the three Gabor sisters, the famous Hungarian-born actresses and socialites.

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Pinterest Bonanza Guest Stars: Tina Louise watch episode actors actresses 2020
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Tina Louise on 'Bonanza'

In 1967, the same year Gilligan's Island concluded, actress Tina Louise saddled up on Bonanza. She played "Mary Burns" in a season 9 episode about survivors of an Indian raid. She wasn't the only former castaway to visit the Ponderosa, however.

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Pinterest Bonanza Guest Stars: Dawn Wells actors actresses watch episode
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Dawn Wells on 'Bonanza'

Dawn Wells—who played "Mary Ann Summers" on Gilligan's Island—actually had two appearances on Bonanza, one before and after the iconic castaway sitcom. She played different roles in the episodes and is seen pictured here with "Adam" (Pernell Roberts).

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Pinterest Bonanza Guest Stars: Lee Marvin actors actresses episode watch 2020
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Lee Marvin on 'Bonanza'

Fittingly, Western icon Lee Marvin worked his way into a memorable Bonanza episode in season 3. In "The Crucible," he played "Kane," a villainous miner who clashes with "Adam" (Pernell Roberts). Roberts named it as one of his favourite episodes, too.

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Pinterest Bonanza Guest Stars: Marlo Thomas as "Tai Lee" episode watch actors actresses
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Marlo Thomas on 'Bonanza'

In Bonanza season 5, Marlo Thomas played a mail-order bride mistakenly sent to "Hoss." The That Girl star's role was a memorable one, as "Tai Lee" inspired a workers' rebellion on a Virginia City railroad.

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Adam West on 'Bonanza'
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Adam West on 'Bonanza'

Adam West is among the stars to act on Bonanza before they landed their career-defining roles. He guest starred in early Bonanza episode "The Bride," still a few years before he'd don the cape of "Batman." See his look on the Western in the bottom right corner.

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Pinterest Bonanza Guest Stars: Burgess Meredith actors actresses episode watch
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Burgess Meredith on 'Bonanza'

Continuing the trend, West was not the only Batman TV actor to join Bonanza. "Penguin" actor Burgess Meredith is pictured here in his 1967 appearance on the NBC show. Cesar Romero, best known for playing "The Joker," likewise had a Bonanza guest spot.

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Pinterest Bonanza Guest Stars: Dennis Hopper
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Dennis Hopper on 'Bonanza'

Best known today as a film star and director, Dennis Hopper began his career as a TV actor. The Apocalypse Now and Easy Rider icon was frequently seen on TV Westerns in the 1950s and '60s, and he played "Dev Farnum" on Bonanza.

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Today, Bonanza is most associated with stars like Michael Landon, Lorne Greene, and Dan Blocker, all of whom portrayed "Cartwrights" on the show. But over the years, Bonanza also welcomed the talents of a range of guest stars.

Bonanza: Guest Stars You Forgot Were On The Show

Veterans of classic movies and legendary TV series acted in Bonanza episodes, while little-known stars who would become household names also appeared on the Western pre-fame.

Over the years, Bonanza compiled an impressive guest stars list, from Gilligan's Island actors to Star Trek icons and Hollywood legends. Click through the gallery to see the most notable guest stars you probably forgot were on Bonanza.

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