Pernell Roberts died

Pernell Roberts, who is mostly known as Adam Cartwright in TV western series Bonanza, has died at the age of 81.

This actor also acted in title role in MASH spin-off Trapper John,MD

Roberts initially found fame alongside Lorne Greene, Michael Landon and Dan Blocker as the oldest of Bonanza's three Nevada rancher siblings.

The series continued without him, eventually becoming - after Gunsmoke - the longest-running TV western in US history.

Blocker and Landon, who played Adam's younger brothers Hoss and Little Joe, died in 1972 and 1991 respectively.