Grizzly Adams

 James “Grizzly” Adams in Hollywood

When people think of Grizzly Adams, they often picture the gentle, bearded mountain man with a loyal bear companion named Ben. But in Hollywood, James “Grizzly” Adams is most famously associated with Dan Haggerty, the actor whose warm screen presence turned the character into an American folk icon.

The real Grizzly Adams was a 19th-century California frontiersman known for his deep bond with animals and incredible wilderness survival skills. Hollywood rediscovered this figure in the 1970s, giving him new life on screen.

The story exploded into popular culture with the hit 1974 independent film starring Dan Haggerty, whose natural kindness with animals (especially bears) made the role unforgettable. His gentle, rugged charisma helped turn a low-budget picture into a nationwide sensation.