The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams star Dan Haggerty dies at 74 after cancer diagnosis

The actor was diagnosed several weeks ago

The actor was diagnosed with cancer several months ago (NBC)

For the best part of a decade, the actor Dan Haggerty brought a grace and charm to an unlikely show that would become a huge family favourite.

Based loosely on the life of a real life 19th Century frontiersman called John Capen Adams, Haggerty starred as the main character in NBC’s The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams.

The show, based on a film of the same name, was first broadcast in 1974 and the two-hour finale was shown in 1982.

The star died at home surrounded by family and friends (Getty)

On Friday it was reported that Haggerty, had passed away at his home in California’s San Fernando Valley. He was surrounded by his family and friends according to the TMZ website.

The report said that the actor was diagnosed with with cancer a few months ago after he underwent surgery for back pain. He had returned home from the hospital where he was receiving treatment after doctors told him that time was growing short.

Haggerty also worked as a stunt consultant and animal handler for many films involving not only bears but tigers, mountain lions, and wild boar for films such as Tarzan and his own television and movie projects.