Little House on the Prairie NBC TV Cast Information

Film Credits for Michael Landon

Biography written by A&E Television Networks

Born Eugene Maurice Orowitz, on October 31, 1936, in Forest Hills, New York. Landon was the first child born to New York publicist Eli Maurice Orowitz and his wife, the former Broadway actress Peggy O’Neill. Landon and his sister were raised by their Jewish father and Catholic mother in the predominantly Protestant neighborhood of Collingswood, New Jersey. Landon often felt ostracized in the community for being Jewish and was subjected to discrimination at an early age. In addition to these pressures, he bore the weight of his parents’ tumultuous marriage.

Although Landon struggled academically and barely graduated high school, his talent as a javelin thrower won him a number of college scholarships. In the mid-1950s, he enrolled at the University of Southern California where he hoped to pursue a career in sports. However, the young athlete’s dreams were crushed when he tore an arm ligament, abruptly ending his athletic and academic careers. Landon withdrew from college after his first year and supported himself with menial jobs as a gas station attendant, blanket salesman, and stock boy.

While working in a North Hollywood warehouse, Landon’s rugged good looks attracted the attention of a Warner Bros. executive, who persuaded him to enroll in acting classes. Shortly after, he picked the stage name Michael Landon from the Los Angeles telephone book. His talent and versatility earned him a number of minor roles in television Westerns and dramas. In 1956, he appeared in his first small film, These Wilder Years, which was followed by his first TV appearance, in Cavalcade of America (1952-57).

Landon made his feature acting debut in the title role of I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957), which later became a cult classic. He established himself as a multi-faceted actor and was offered the starring role in the TV series Bonanza as the youngest Cartwright brother, Little Joe. Bonanza received attention as an unconventional Western that relied on old-fashioned values. The show remained TV's top-rated series for seven consecutive years, and Landon’s portrayal of willful Little Joe became ingrained in the minds of American audiences.

On the set of Bonanza, Landon spent a large part of his time behind the camera, writing and directing episodes. After a 14-year run, the show ended and Landon had emerged as a seasoned actor, well versed in television production. He used that experience to obtain creative control of his next program, Little House on the Prairie (1974-82), for which he wrote, directed, and produced. He also starred in the series as Charles Ingalls, a frontiersman who personified old-fashioned American values.

The success of Little House on the Prairie enabled Landon to oversee two spin-off series, Little House, The New Beginning (1982-83), and Father Murphy (1984). Both series were short-lived, but Landon went on to create a third successful show for NBC, Highway to Heaven (1984- 89), in which he portrayed a guardian angel.

Throughout his career, Landon's projects stressed traditional values and the importance of family life. So it was all the more shocking when he divorced his wife, Lynn, after 19 years of marriage to wed a young make-up artist from Little House on the Prairie, Cindy Clerico.

In April of 1991, Landon fell victim to pancreatic cancer, and subsequently retreated to his Malibu ranch with his wife and children. His widely publicized illness resulted in an outpouring of sympathy from fans. At the time of his death on July 1st 1991, he was about to launch his fourth prime time show, US, for CBS. He remains one of the most enduring names in television history, starring in more than 800 hours of television.

Click here to visit our "Remembering Michael Landon" Web page.

Click here to visit our Web page for the "Michael Landon Children's Cancer Fund"

Did You Know?

In 1995 Melissa Gilbert gave birth to a new son naming him "Michael" after her TV Dad.

In 2004 Melissa Gilbert presented the tribute to Michael Landon during NBC's 75th Anniversary Special.

In 2006 Michael Landon's youngest daughter Jennifer was nominated for "Best Young Actress" in a daytime series. Jennifer also won again in 2007 for the same role.