David Dortort, R. I. P.

Creator of TV western "Bonanza" dead at 93 - Yahoo! News: "David Dortort, who created 'Bonanza,' the top-rated western that aired for 14 years on the NBC television network, died September 5 at his Los Angeles home. He was 93.

Debuting in 1959, 'Bonanza' was the most-watched show on U.S. television from 1964 to 1967 and maintained a place in the ratings top 10 for a decade.

Dortort also created 'The High Chaparral,' which originally followed 'Bonanza' on Sunday nights on NBC and ran for three seasons."