David Dortort

David Dortort (October 23, 1916 – September 5, 2010), was a Hollywood producer and writer, widely known for his role as producer in two NBC television series Bonanza (1959–1967) and The High Chaparral (1967–1971). Dortort's focus shifted in the late 1960s to the newer series, leaving the production of Bonanza largely to his associates during its last five and a half years (1967–1973). From 1954-1955, he was involved in directing and writing for the CBS legal drama The Public Defender. He produced 'The Restless Gun' (1957–1959), The Cowboys television version (1974), and a prequel series featuring younger versions of the Bonanza characters called Ponderosa (2001), which was produced with Beth Sullivan. In 1979–1980, he created the...