David Dortort (born David Solomon Katz; October 23, 1916 – September 5, 2010) was a Hollywood screenwriter and producer, widely known for his role as producer in two successful NBC television series:
Bonanza (1959–73) and
The High Chaparral (1967–71). 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 1954–55, Dortort was involved in directing and writing for The
Public Defender. He produced
The Restless Gun (1957–59), 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, ...
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