Dan Haggerty, who brought to life the titular frontiersman in the 1974 film and subsequent TV series "Grizzly Adams," died after battling cancer at the age of 74.

In "The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams," Haggerty's woodsman flees into the wilderness to escape a wrongful murder charge. He befriends and cares for a bear cub, who remains Grizzly's best friend, even after maturing into full size.

Before starring in the show, Haggerty worked as an animal handler and stuntman in Hollywood. He guest starred in shows including "CHiPs," "Charlie's Angels," and "The Love Boat." His last movie credit was a cameo in the 2013 movie "Axe Giant: The Wrath of Paul Bunyan."

Haggerty suffered from cancer of the spine, which was discovered by doctors during surgery for back pain. He is survived by five children.

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