Overview (5)

Mini Bio (1)

Spouse (3)

Trade Mark (3)

Often played friendly roles that depend upon family values



Thick curly bouncy brown hair.



Melodramatic TV shows he wrote, directed and acted in



Trivia (110)

Following his death, he was interred at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California.





Actress Melissa Gilbert 's son Michael (born 1995) was named after him.

His birthplace, Forest Hills, is a neighborhood area in Queens, New York.





U.S. President Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy Reagan , attended Landon's memorial service the day after his death.



Inducted (as a cast member of Unsere kleine Farm (1974)) into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1998.

Always claimed to have chosen his professional name by picking the name Michael Landon out of the Los Angeles telephone directory.



His father, Eli Maurice Orowitz, was a studio publicist and theater manage;, his mother, Peggy Kathleen O'Neill Orowitz, was a popular comedienne and dancer.



His father was from a Jewish family and his mother was of Irish Catholic background.



Never legally adopted his stepdaughter, Cheryl, because of her birth father's objections.



Won the freshman javelin toss at the University of Southern California-Los Angeles.





Comedian and ex-talk show host, Johnny Carson was a longtime friend of his and had (in private) always confided in Landon and shared his own issues with him.



Before his death, he appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) to talk about his brave battle against cancer and his life.

He was attending USC on an athletic scholarship but tore his shoulder ligaments, which would prevent him from throwing the javelin again.



His last wife was former make-up artist Cindy Clerico, whom he met near the end of the "Little House" run in 1981, and married two years later.



Grew up in southern New Jersey in the town of Collingswood.





Charles Ingalls, Landon's character on Unsere kleine Farm (1974), was ranked #4 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [June 20, 2004 issue].

Before he became a successful actor, he worked in a warehouse and at a gas station.



His second wife, Marjorie Lynn Noe, was one of the few people who refused to attend his funeral, because, as she told her children, the divorce had already been like a death to her.



When he filed for divorce from Lynn, it cost him $26 million. Though he gave her his $3.5-million, 35-room Beverly Hills mansion, this bitter divorce was a devastating blow for Lynn, who stated on television after his death that her ex-husband had become her angel (April 16, 1981).



In 1954, he was the national high school record holder in the javelin throw.



12 years after his death, his eldest sister, Evelyn, died on New Years' Day, 2003.



He smoked four packs of unfiltered Menthol cigarettes a day starting around 1961, which probably contributed to the pancreatic cancer that killed him.



His stepdaughter, Cheryl, recalled in his biography, "I Promised My Dad", that once Landon was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he realized that all the years of smoking, drinking and eating an unhealthy diet had taken their toll. Later, despite going on a regimen that included a naturalistic approach to the cancer (coffee enemas and a healthy diet), Landon was devastated to learn that the cancer had tripled in size.



He was left-handed, and his awkward handwriting (he often hand-wrote scripts) sometimes made it difficult for his secretary to read what he had written).



Despite only being given a 3-5 percent chance of survival, Landon announced he was going to beat his pancreatic cancer. However, by the time of the diagnosis, the cancer had already spread to his liver and stomach.





Like his Bonanza (1959) co-star Lorne Greene , Landon was a staunch supporter of the Republican Party.

Michael Landon passed away on July 1, 1991, almost four months away from what would have been his 55th birthday on October 31.



Attended and graduated third from the bottom of his class at Collingswood High School in Collingswood New Jersey (1954). Had an I.Q. of 159.





He was buried at the same cemetery as his television father, Lorne Greene (Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery, Culver City, California).



Best remembered by the public for his role as Little Joe Cartwright on Bonanza (1959) and for his starring role as Charles Ingalls on Unsere kleine Farm (1974).



His daughter Leslie Landon attended the same middle school as his future Unsere kleine Farm (1974), co-star, Melissa Gilbert . Leslie heard Gilbert in the school cafeteria say that she was going to play Laura Ingalls.



Encouraged his children, not to make the same mistake he had made when he was a teenager. As a result, his children were told to study, without watching television. He made an exception, however, for Unsere kleine Farm (1974).



Landon had appeared in almost every episode of Unsere kleine Farm (1974), from 1974 to 1982, with the exception of the final year. He appeared in 177 of the 204 episodes of the series.

Had a great deal of hobbies during the prime of his life: fishing, karate, golfing, swimming, spending time with his family, painting, cooking, playing bridge, playing with disabled people and weightlifting.





He once invited Shirley Jones to an art exhibit.



His adoptive son, Mark Landon , died in May 2009 at age 60.



His final series Ein Engel auf Erden (1984) was canceled at the end of the fifth season, because of low ratings.



Attended Ronald Reagan 's second inauguration as Governor of California on January 3, 1971, and his first inauguration as President of the United States on January 20, 1981.



Publicly supported Richard Nixon in the 1972 presidential election, and campaigned for Ronald Reagan in the 1980 and 1984 presidential elections.

Left an estate worth $100 million.



On May 21, 1991, he had a near fatal blood clot in his left leg that was successfully treated at Cedars-Sinai Hospital.





Encouraged by his wife, Landon quit smoking in summer 1989 following his friend Victor French 's death.



Was raised near the same city as Bill Cosby

Was a commercial spokesperson for the public service message, Pharmacists Against Drug Abuse, in the early 1980s.



Michael and his first wife Dodie were adopting a son named Jason in 1961. Shortly before or after their divorce in 1962, Dodie gave the child up for adoption to another couple.



When Michael and Dodie's marriage was floundering, they thought adopting another baby might help, they called him Jason. But they both realized before the final adoption papers had been signed, that it was not the answer. They gave the infant back to the agency and went ahead with a divorce. Michael moved out and got his own apartment (he was allowed visitation w/Mark and Josh). He saw Lynn Noe (second wife) on the Bonanza set and married her in 1963.





Was diagnosed with cancer, at the very same time actor Bill Bixby was. Coincidentally, both Bixby and Landon were at the same hospital [April 5, 1991].

Began his career as a contract player for Warner Bros. Pictures in 1956.





Beat out one only actor Robert Blake for a co-starring role as Little Joe Cartwright on Bonanza (1959), despite initially being all most passed over for the role. This was because David Dortort had mixed feelings about the new, unfamiliar actor auditioning for the role, thinking Landon was way too young to play the role. With the encouragement of David's wife, who picked up a publicity still of Landon, her husband changed his mind, and bestowed Landon the role.



Was hired to direct several episodes of Pazifikgeschwader 214 (1976) that starred Robert Conrad . He was conveniently "unavailable" to do so, due to his contractual obligations working on Unsere kleine Farm (1974), at the same network that Black Sheep Squadron, was on, which was NBC. This should come as no surprise to his following, since the competitive Landon never liked to showcase or play opposite another actor who was the same "type" as he. (Age, attractiveness quotient, star status.).

Was associated with NBC from 1956 through 1990.





Used to play tennis with Robert Fuller

During childhood, he always worried about his mother's suicide attempts.





Acting mentor and friends with Melissa Gilbert



Acting mentor was Lorne Greene



In 1993, TV Guide listed the Bonanza (1959) two-hour wedding episode, "Forever", as one of television's most memorable specials. Landon's script fondly recalled brother Hoss, who was initially the story's groom, before Dan Blocker 's untimely death.



Longtime friends with Victor French

Began directing at age 32.



When he married Dodie Levy-Fraser, his parents did not attend the wedding.



Before he was a successful actor and director, he was also a singer.



Depression ran in his family.



Was a commercial spokesperson for Kodak Camera in the 1970s and 1980s.





He met Marjorie Lynn Noe on the set of Bonanza (1959). They were married for 19 years until their 1982 divorce.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1500 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California on August 15, 1984.





Michael Landon passed away on July 1, 1991. Just two months before his death, he made his final guest appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962).

A plaque and small playground referred to as the "Little Treehouse on the Prairie" was erected in Knights Park, a central park in Landon's hometown of Collingswood. In 2011, the plaque was removed from the park by the borough and was later given to a local newspaper by an unnamed person. According to the Collingswood, New Jersey website, the plaque was removed during a fall cleanup with plans to return it to a safer location. The plaque was reinstated next to a bench in a safer location the following summer.





After Bonanza ended he Immediately jumped to Unsere kleine Farm (1974) for the lead role of Charles Ingalls, primarily because of his popularity on Bonanza (1959).



His future Unsere kleine Farm (1974) co-star, Karen Grassle was a huge fan of Bonanza (1959), who in turn was handpicked to play his wife, Caroline Ingalls, on the series. However, Karen Grassle admitted that she didn't know which Cartwright son, Michael Landon played at the time that she was cast.



Was the very first guest on the revised version of Match Game 73 (1973).



He directed an episode of Ein Engel auf Erden (1984) in which young kids were being diagnosed with cancer while attending summer camp. In real life, he had also faced the same disease and succumbed to it six years later.



His ex- Unsere kleine Farm (1974) co-star, Melissa Gilbert said in an interview that when she lost her father, Landon became like a surrogate father to her.

His private life was always bothered by tabloid headlines.



He attended and celebrated his Bar Mitzvah at Temple Beth Sholom, a Conservative synagogue, then located in Haddon Heights, an area that did not allow Jews until after World War II, now in Cherry Hill. His family recalls that Landon "went through a lot of hassle studying for the big event, which included bicycling to a nearby town every day to learn how to read Hebrew and do the chanting".





He was always known to keep his friendship with Johnny Carson and his marriage to Cindy Landon private.

In the "Little House on the Prairie" books, Charles Ingalls wore a beard, but when the books were turned into a series Landon's character never wore a beard.





Had hired five of his real life children for Unsere kleine Farm (1974).

Despite being one of the biggest names in television history, he never came close to being nominated for an Emmy Award, in any category.



In a 1985 interview, Landon claimed he ate lunch alone at Collingswood High School, and that he never had a date as a teenager because no Christian father in the town would allow his daughter to go out with a Jew.



When Eugene wanted to try out for the javelin, his father wasn't too impressed. Eli questioned him about it, wanted that javelin out of the house, when Eugene refused, prior to practicing it in track.



Landon wanted to give acting a try, and attended Estelle Harman's Acting Classes.



In 1950, aged 13, he was voted the School Athlete of the Year, at the same time, he began to grow long hair.





On [ Unsere kleine Farm (1974)], his character was the father of 4 children, in real-life, he was the father of 9 children.

In 1954, at the same time Eugene was going to college in California, his family also moved to California, as well. Eugene also lived with his parents.



Searching for refuge, young Eugene would walk to Newton Lake Park, in Collingswood, New Jersey, he would go there everyday, where there was a dock. His sister, Victoria King, would go to the park with her brother, and sit with him, all day, hearing all the stories from him that he made up.



In late 1990, he took a ski vacation with his family, while out skiing in Park City, Utah, at the same time, he was out exercising, he learned that he had serious stomach problems, he needed to see a doctor, and had diagnosed him with terminal pancreatic cancer.



Before he was a successful actor, he was selling blankets.



Michael Landon appeared in the episode "Decision" of the series Cheyenne. He was uncredited, and his character had no lines. His character dies at 29:40 of the hour long episode. He is seen several times in the scene where the Indians have attacked. The copyright date on the episode reads MCMLVI (1956).



He was nicknamed "Socks" on the set of Bonanza as it was said he smoked so heavily that even his socks smelled of cigarette smoke.



Michael Landon is the only actor to have three TV shows run consecutively for 5 years or more each. They were: "Bonanza (1959-1973)", "Little House on the Prairie (1974-1983)" and "Highway to Heaven (1984-1989)".



Several people who knew Landon as a teenager said he greatly exaggerated the problems he experienced at school.





Best remembered for having taken Melissa Gilbert under his wing, when she was only 9 years old. Off- and on-, their friendship had lasted 18 years, until Landon's death in 1991.



Landon and Bill Bixby only met once: during a competition for a game show, in the 1970s. On opposing teams, both were very competitive and both wanted to win but, whereas Bixby understood it was a friendly game, Landon took it extremely seriously, to the point he ignored Bixby's congenial disposition and completely snubbed him. The two never worked together in any scripted show.

Although he had appeared in several films before "Bonanza" began, afterwards his only film was "Sam's Son" in 1984. The film was originally intended for television but was given a brief theatrical release.



Whether an 1880s western or a 1980s modern setting, Michael Landon's characters all sported the one same "brushed-curlers" hairdo.



Whether in an 1880s western or a 1980s modern setting, all Michael Landon's characters sported the same 1970's brushing hairdo.





Was diagnosed with cancer at the same time as actor Bill Bixby . Coincidentally, both Landon and Bixby were at the same hospital. [5 April 1991].

Personal Quotes (23)

Whatever you want to do, do it now. There are only so many tomorrows.



I was grown before I realized that other mothers didn't put their heads in the oven.



I felt my father's presence with me, enlightening my memories, helping me to commit to paper the feelings I had. I really heard my father speaking to me from the other dimension, filling my mind with just the right words. The story came so fast and was so right. In three days, the script was complete.



I want people to laugh and cry, not just sit and stare at the television. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I think viewers are hungry for shows in which people say something meaningful.



[on his illness] Well, the news shocked the hell out of me. Nothing was further from my mind, since I'm only 54 and, with rare exceptions, I'd been healthy my whole life. Not that I don't deserve to have a cancer. I'm a good athlete and I work out hard--before this happened I could bench press 300, 350 pounds, no sweat --but I've abused my body over the years. I don't want people to think that everybody is a likely candidate for cancer of this type. I think I have it because for most of my life, though I was never a drunk, I drank too much. I also smoked too many cigarettes and ate a lot of wrong things. And if you do that, even if you think you're too strong to get anything, somehow you're going to pay.



[on being so popular on television] Boy, you gotta be real sick to get this much attention.



[during his last days] I don't mind dying if I have to, but I'm damned if I want to pay for the guarantee. I'm sorry.



[on his physical technique] I didn't have the right look. Back then actors were big, muscular, terrific! And I was still 125 pounds and the 5'11" I'd always be.





[on the cancellation of Unsere kleine Farm (1974)] I wanted to destroy the entire town, which I did. Everybody needed the catharsis on that show. We were together for nine years, and that's why we blew it up. That, plus the fact I didn't want anybody making a trashy movie at Walnut Grove, because I like that town.

[In 1974] Yes I am perfect. It's a problem I've had all my life.



[In 1991] If I'm gonna die, death's gonna have to do a lot of fighting to get me.



I never felt I was going to make it as an actor because to me actors were tall and handsome and had great voices.





[about Unsere kleine Farm (1974), where he had a voice in matters of the series' policy] We're trying to stick close to the true story. The problem is the books were short and over four years--I think we can run four years--we'll need more than 100 stories. So, we have to invite some.

We each have our own miracles. I'm still hoping to beat it.





[on the differences between his Unsere kleine Farm (1974) Charles Ingalls character and himself] Ingalls had a beard in real life, but I don't. The problem is that I can't grow a beard--it just looks like stubble. I wasn't going to play the part for six months with a beard glued to my face so I decided to play him clean-shaven.



[in 1980 about Pernell Roberts 's departure from Bonanza (1959) Pernell didn't like the show and would let you know it, but he rarely cared to do much about improving it. To say a show stinks doesn't make it better. After he left, we took one leaf out of the dining room table and we all made more money because we split the take three ways instead of four.

[In 1979: People would do themselves a great favor if they would take the blame for things that go wrong, and say to themselves, "I've got to do something about this." But you can't do anything if you always blame your problems on someone else. You have to say, "It's my fault, and I'd better do something about this.".





[pn directing Bonanza (1959)] When I direct, I try to work with a minimum number of set-ups [individual scenes] possible so we have time to do certain shots you usually don't have a chance to do. In the first day of this show, for example, instead of having 15 set-ups, as is normal, we had only three in the can by noon. But they were intricate shots, and this technique pays off in the long run.

I feel sorry for people who have problems which are beyond their control, but most of life's problems are our own fault--and sympathy under those conditions doesn't do a bit of good.



[In 1976] The very worst thing you can do to a man is to make him think he is a coward. If a guy needs his job in order to feed and clothe his kids, he'll put up with a lot of abuse before he fights back. I have seen many men mentally shattered by some big-mouth who screamed and yelled in order to get his way. Most of those men did not deserve the abuse but they had to have their jobs, so they kept their mouths shut - and that made them feel like cowards.



[on blaming one's boss] When a man knows he's being wronged and that he should yell right back at his boss, but is afraid to because he fears being fired, then he had just convinced himself that he's a coward and that is one of the worst things you can do to a person. I don't blame a man for keeping his mouth shut in circumstances like that, but he will blame himself, and that is horrible.



[on his messy divorce from his second wife] The relationship lasted 19 years. I don't consider that a failed marriage. I don't think it was a disaster. We produced some terrific kids. We just didn't grow in the same direction. We became different people. We both changed. To stay with someone when you no longer have anything in common is the cruelest thing to do to a child. It's much better to divorce and have two parents happy. I don't know if Charles Ingalls would have stayed married to Caroline as long as he did, except that it was a long way to the next house in those days. I was not an aging lecher looking for a fresh young thing. You don't dissolve a relationship to go to bed with someone 20 years younger. You have to have major differences to stop a relationship, after as many years as I was married. With a wife and seven children, there's always a problem. Lynn and I fought a lot, about jealousy, about my being tied up with my work. I'd go into depressed moods, and then I'd go around screaming at people at home and in the studio - and at everyone in sight. Banging down phones, swearing and yelling. But I figure if you don't have these kind of problems, life would just come up with some other unpleasantries for you. Nobody's perfect. Not Charles Ingalls. Not Michael Landon.



I came home and found my 12-year-old daughter devouring the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. Then I discovered that my wife had devoured them too when she was a girl, and was reading them again. So I went to NBC and told them "Little House" was it.

