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.

Group Of Men Gather In The Mountains To Sing ‘You Raise Me Up’ Will Give You Chills

College Singers Elevate Josh Groban’s Hit to New Heights with Acapella Mastery

An expertly performed acapella song can bring new depth to any track – whether it’s the absence of instruments highlighting the lyrics or the vocalists’ skill in engaging the audience. This rings especially true for the acapella rendition of Josh Groban’s 2003 hit, “You Raise Me Up,” by Brigham Young University’s (BYU) Vocal Point. Their version breathes fresh life into this inspirational song.

In 1991, BYU students Dave Boyce and Bob Ahlander founded the BYU Vocal Point, a nine-member acapella group. The group swiftly gained popularity on campus, with their debut concert selling out.

BYU Vocal Point’s Ascent to Acapella Fame

Since its inception, BYU Vocal Point has achieved numerous accolades, including a fifth-place finish in the third season of NBC’s The Sing-Off. Their talent was further recognized in December 2018 when they announced a record deal with Universal Music Group’s classical label, Decca Gold, on social media. Member Jason Bromley reflected, “We’re ordinary college students doing extraordinary things.”

“You Raise Me Up” Music Video: A Scenic Vocal Journey

The video for “You Raise Me Up” is set against a stunning backdrop of mountains and valleys. It starts with a single, clear voice, soon joined by another in harmony, building a rich, layered sound. The group’s voices are bright and pure, complemented by impressive percussive sounds created vocally.

As the singers traverse the mountain landscape, their rendition of the song becomes an immersive experience. The tranquility of the setting almost becomes palpable, illustrating the power of music to transport the listener to another place.

A Unique and Harmonious Rendition

The vocalists’ harmonies blend seamlessly, making distinguishing between the lead singers difficult. Their take on this widely covered song is refreshingly original, avoiding a simple imitation of the original. They infuse their unique style and arrangement into the song, adding a new hook towards the end that enhances the harmonies. The finale is bolstered by a choir of additional students, creating a profoundly powerful conclusion.

This exceptional version of “You Raise Me Up” by BYU Vocal Point is bound to become a favorite. Sit back and enjoy this unique and uplifting performance.

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