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 Michael Landon was born Eugene Maurice Orowitz, on Saturday, October 31st, 1936, in Forest Hills, Queens, New York. In 1941, he and his family moved to Collingswood, New Jersey.When Eugene was in high school, he participated -- and did very well -- in track and field, especially javelin throwing, and his athletic skills earned him a scholarship to USC. However, an accident injured his arm, ending his athletic career -- and his term at USC -- and he worked a number of odd jobs and small roles to make ends meet and decided that acting was for him. However, he thought that his real name was not a suitable one for an aspiring actor, and so "Michael Landon" was born.Two of his first big roles were as Tony Rivers in I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957) and as Tom Dooley in the western The Legend of Tom Dooley (1959). That same year he was approached by producer David Dortort to star in a pilot called The Restless Gun (1957), which was renamed when the series was picked up to Bonanza (1959). Landon played Little Joe Cartwright, the youngest of the three Cartwright brothers, a cocky and somewhat rebellious youth nevertheless had a way with the ladies. For 14 years, Landon became the heart and soul of the show, endearing himself to both younger and older viewers, and he became a household name during the 1960s and 1970s.In 1968, after almost ten years of playing Little Joe, he wanted an opportunity to direct and write some episodes of the show. After the season finale in 1972, Dan Blocker, who played his older brother Hoss and was also a close friend, died from a blood clot in his lung, after gall bladder surgery, but Michael decided to go back to work, revisiting his own character in a two-part episode called "Forever."Bonanza (1959) was finally canceled in early 1973, after 14 years and 430 episodes. Michael didn't have to wait long until he landed another successful role that most TV audiences of the 1970s would thoroughly enjoy, his second TV western, for NBC, Little House on the Prairie (1974). That show was based on a popular book written by Laura Ingalls Wilder, and he played enduring patriarch and farmer Charles Ingalls. Unlike Bonanza (1959), where he was mostly just a "hired gun," on this show he served as the producer, writer, director, and executive producer. By the end of its eighth season in 1982, Landon decided to step down from his role on "Little House" as he saw his TV children grown up and moved out of their father's house, and a year later, the show was canceled. After 14 years on Bonanza (1959) and 8 years on Little House on the Prairie (1974), it was about time to focus on something else, and once again, he didn't have to wait too long before Highway to Heaven (1984) came along. Unlike the western shows that he did for 23 years, this NBC fantasy/drama show focused on Jonathan Smith, an angel whose job was to save peoples' lives and work for God, his boss. Victor French played ex-cop Mark Gordon, who turned down a fortune but had redeemed himself by meeting Jonathan.By the end of the fifth season in 1989, French was diagnosed with lung cancer and died in June of that same year. Landon was devastated by the loss and pulled the plug on Highway to Heaven (1984). In early 1991, after 35 years of working on NBC, he was axed by the network, so he moved to CBS to star in the pilot of a two-hour movie, Us (1991), in which he played Jeff Hayes, a man freed from prison by new evidence after 18 years wrongfully spent inside. This was going to be another one of Landon's shows but, in April 1991, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He later appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) to talk about his battle with the disease, and many people in the audience were affected by the courage and energy he showed. Unfortunately, he was already terminally ill by that time, and on Monday, July 1st, 1991, after a three-month battle, he finally succumbed to the disease. His family, his colleagues, and his children were all by his side. His life-time: Saturday, October 31st, 1936 to Monday, July 1st, 1991, was 19,966 days, equaling 2,852 weeks & 2 days.
Bio:
Michael Landon was born Eugene Maurice Orowitz, on Saturday, October 31st, 1936, in Forest Hills, Queens, New York. In 1941, he and his family moved to Collingswood, New Jersey.When Eugene was in high school, he participated -- and did very well -- in track and field, especially javelin throwing, and his athletic skills earned him a scholarship to USC. However, an accident injured his arm, ending his athletic career -- and his term at USC -- and he worked a number of odd jobs and small roles to make ends meet and decided that acting was for him. However, he thought that his real name was not a suitable one for an aspiring actor, and so "Michael Landon" was born.Two of his first big roles were as Tony Rivers in I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957) and as Tom Dooley in the western The Legend of Tom Dooley (1959). That same year he was approached by producer David Dortort to star in a pilot called The Restless Gun (1957), which was renamed when the series was picked up to Bonanza (1959). Landon played Little Joe Cartwright, the youngest of the three Cartwright brothers, a cocky and somewhat rebellious youth nevertheless had a way with the ladies. For 14 years, Landon became the heart and soul of the show, endearing himself to both younger and older viewers, and he became a household name during the 1960s and 1970s.In 1968, after almost ten years of playing Little Joe, he wanted an opportunity to direct and write some episodes of the show. After the season finale in 1972, Dan Blocker, who played his older brother Hoss and was also a close friend, died from a blood clot in his lung, after gall bladder surgery, but Michael decided to go back to work, revisiting his own character in a two-part episode called "Forever."Bonanza (1959) was finally canceled in early 1973, after 14 years and 430 episodes. Michael didn't have to wait long until he landed another successful role that most TV audiences of the 1970s would thoroughly enjoy, his second TV western, for NBC, Little House on the Prairie (1974). That show was based on a popular book written by Laura Ingalls Wilder, and he played enduring patriarch and farmer Charles Ingalls. Unlike Bonanza (1959), where he was mostly just a "hired gun," on this show he served as the producer, writer, director, and executive producer. By the end of its eighth season in 1982, Landon decided to step down from his role on "Little House" as he saw his TV children grown up and moved out of their father's house, and a year later, the show was canceled. After 14 years on Bonanza (1959) and 8 years on Little House on the Prairie (1974), it was about time to focus on something else, and once again, he didn't have to wait too long before Highway to Heaven (1984) came along. Unlike the western shows that he did for 23 years, this NBC fantasy/drama show focused on Jonathan Smith, an angel whose job was to save peoples' lives and work for God, his boss. Victor French played ex-cop Mark Gordon, who turned down a fortune but had redeemed himself by meeting Jonathan.By the end of the fifth season in 1989, French was diagnosed with lung cancer and died in June of that same year. Landon was devastated by the loss and pulled the plug on Highway to Heaven (1984). In early 1991, after 35 years of working on NBC, he was axed by the network, so he moved to CBS to star in the pilot of a two-hour movie, Us (1991), in which he played Jeff Hayes, a man freed from prison by new evidence after 18 years wrongfully spent inside. This was going to be another one of Landon's shows but, in April 1991, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He later appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) to talk about his battle with the disease, and many people in the audience were affected by the courage and energy he showed. Unfortunately, he was already terminally ill by that time, and on Monday, July 1st, 1991, after a three-month battle, he finally succumbed to the disease. His family, his colleagues, and his children were all by his side. His life-time: Saturday, October 31st, 1936 to Monday, July 1st, 1991, was 19,966 days, equaling 2,852 weeks & 2 days.
Tivia:
Actress Melissa Gilbert's son Michael (born 1995) was named after him.When Landon was doing Highway to Heaven (1984), NBC wanted a handsome young, unfamiliar actor to play Mark Gordon, but he insisted he would only agree to star in the series in case his friend and Little House on the Prairie (1974), co-star, Victor French was cast.Encouraged by his wife, Landon quit smoking in summer 1989 following his friend Victor French's death.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.His daughter Leslie Landon attended the same middle school as his future Little House on the Prairie (1974), co-star, Melissa Gilbert. Leslie heard Gilbert in the school cafeteria say that she was going to play Laura Ingalls.Had hired five of his real life children for Little House on the Prairie (1974).After Bonanza (1959) ended, he immediately jumped to Little House on the Prairie (1974) for the lead role of Charles Ingalls, primarily because of his popularity on Bonanza (1959).Landon had appeared in almost every episode of Little House on the Prairie (1974), from 1974 to 1982, with the exception of the final year. He appeared in 177 of the 204 episodes of the series.Charles Ingalls, Landon's character on Little House on the Prairie (1974), was ranked #4 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [June 20, 2004 issue].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).Studied karate under Chuck Norris, as did the children of his Bonanza (1959) co-star Dan Blocker.His ex-Little House on the Prairie (1974) co-star, Melissa Gilbert said in an interview that when she lost her father, Landon became like a surrogate father to her.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.Little House on the Prairie (1974), co-star, Karen Grassle once said in an interview that Landon had a very lonely childhood as a result of his parents fighting.Always claimed to have chosen his professional name by picking the name Michael Landon out of the Los Angeles telephone directory.Left an estate worth $100 million.U.S. President Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy Reagan, attended Landon's memorial service the day after his death.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. However, he made an exception for Little House on the Prairie (1974).Wore lifts on Bonanza (1959) so he would not be dwarfed by considerably taller co-stars Dan Blocker and Lorne Greene.Before he became a successful actor, he worked in a warehouse and at a gas station.His father was from a Jewish family and his mother was of Irish Catholic background.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].Acting mentor was Lorne Greene.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.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).Michael Landon was the only actor to have three television series run consecutively for five years or more each. They were: Bonanza (1959), Little House on the Prairie (1974) and Highway to Heaven (1984).During childhood, he always worried about his mother's suicide attempts.His father, Eli Maurice Orowitz, was a studio publicist and theater manager, his mother, Kathleen Margaret 'Peggy' O'Neill, was a popular comedienne and dancer.Wrote and directed two movies that were semi-autobiographical: The Loneliest Runner (1976) and Sam's Son (1984).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).He was one of the four celebrities behind Bob Hope, Johnny Carson and Lucille Ball to appear on the front cover of TV Guide, 15 times.In 1954, he was the national high school record holder in the javelin throw.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.Before he was a successful actor and director, he was also a singer.He was attending USC on an athletic scholarship but tore his shoulder ligaments, which would prevent him from throwing the javelin again.When he married Dodie Levy-Fraser, his parents did not attend the wedding.He was always known to keep his friendship with Johnny Carson and his marriage to Cindy Landon private.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.Best remembered for having taken Melissa Gilbert under his wing, when she was only nine years old. Off- and on-, their friendship had lasted 18 years, until Landon's death on July 1, 1991.Inducted (as a cast member of Little House on the Prairie (1974)) into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1998).Before his death, he appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) to talk about his brave battle against cancer and his life.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.Despite being one of the biggest names in television history, he never came close to being nominated for an Emmy Award, in any category.His future Little House on the Prairie (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.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.Won the freshman javelin toss at the University of Southern California-Los Angeles.He met Marjorie Lynn Noe on the set of Bonanza (1959). They were married for 19 years until their 1982 divorce.On May 21, 1991, he had a near fatal blood clot in his left leg that was successfully treated at Cedars-Sinai Hospital.He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 1500 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California on August 15, 1984.Depression ran in his family. |
| Name: |
Michael Landon |
Type: |
Actor,Producer,Writer (IMDB) |
| Area: |
All World |
Platform: |
IMDB |
| Category: |
|
Business scope: |
Actor,Producer,Writer |
| Products for sale: |
Actor,Producer,Writer |
| Model rank: |
865 |
| Last update: |
2024-07-01 04:11:21 |
| Height: |
5' 9' (1.75 m) |
| Biography: |
Michael Landon was born Eugene Maurice Orowitz, on Saturday, October 31st, 1936, in Forest Hills, Queens, New York. In 1941, he and his family moved to Collingswood, New Jersey.When Eugene was in high school, he participated -- and did very well -- i |
| Trivia: |
Actress Melissa Gilbert's son Michael (born 1995) was named after him.When Landon was doing Highway to Heaven (1984), NBC wanted a handsome young, unfamiliar actor to play Mark Gordon, but he insisted he would only agree to star in the series in case his friend and Little House on the Prairie (1974), co-star, Victor French was cast.Encouraged by his wife, Landon quit smoking in summer 1989 following his friend Victor French's death.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.His daughter Leslie Landon attended the same middle school as his future Little House on the Prairie (1974), co-star, Melissa Gilbert. Leslie heard Gilbert in the school cafeteria say that she was going to play Laura Ingalls.Had hired five of his real life children for Little House on the Prairie (1974).After Bonanza (1959) ended, he immediately jumped to Little House on the Prairie (1974) for the lead role of Charles Ingalls, primarily because of his popularity on Bonanza (1959).Landon had appeared in almost every episode of Little House on the Prairie (1974), from 1974 to 1982, with the exception of the final year. He appeared in 177 of the 204 episodes of the series.Charles Ingalls, Landon's character on Little House on the Prairie (1974), was ranked #4 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [June 20, 2004 issue].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).Studied karate under Chuck Norris, as did the children of his Bonanza (1959) co-star Dan Blocker.His ex-Little House on the Prairie (1974) co-star, Melissa Gilbert said in an interview that when she lost her father, Landon became like a surrogate father to her.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.Little House on the Prairie (1974), co-star, Karen Grassle once said in an interview that Landon had a very lonely childhood as a result of his parents fighting.Always claimed to have chosen his professional name by picking the name Michael Landon out of the Los Angeles telephone directory.Left an estate worth $100 million.U.S. President Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy Reagan, attended Landon's memorial service the day after his death.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. However, he made an exception for Little House on the Prairie (1974).Wore lifts on Bonanza (1959) so he would not be dwarfed by considerably taller co-stars Dan Blocker and Lorne Greene.Before he became a successful actor, he worked in a warehouse and at a gas station.His father was from a Jewish family and his mother was of Irish Catholic background.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].Acting mentor was Lorne Greene.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.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).Michael Landon was the only actor to have three television series run consecutively for five years or more each. They were: Bonanza (1959), Little House on the Prairie (1974) and Highway to Heaven (1984).During childhood, he always worried about his mother's suicide attempts.His father, Eli Maurice Orowitz, was a studio publicist and theater manager, his mother, Kathleen Margaret 'Peggy' O'Neill, was a popular comedienne and dancer.Wrote and directed two movies that were semi-autobiographical: The Loneliest Runner (1976) and Sam's Son (1984).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).He was one of the four celebrities behind Bob Hope, Johnny Carson and Lucille Ball to appear on the front cover of TV Guide, 15 times.In 1954, he was the national high school record holder in the javelin throw.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.Before he was a successful actor and director, he was also a singer.He was attending USC on an athletic scholarship but tore his shoulder ligaments, which would prevent him from throwing the javelin again.When he married Dodie Levy-Fraser, his parents did not attend the wedding.He was always known to keep his friendship with Johnny Carson and his marriage to Cindy Landon private.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.Best remembered for having taken Melissa Gilbert under his wing, when she was only nine years old. Off- and on-, their friendship had lasted 18 years, until Landon's death on July 1, 1991.Inducted (as a cast member of Little House on the Prairie (1974)) into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1998).Before his death, he appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) to talk about his brave battle against cancer and his life.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.Despite being one of the biggest names in television history, he never came close to being nominated for an Emmy Award, in any category.His future Little House on the Prairie (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.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.Won the freshman javelin toss at the University of Southern California-Los Angeles.He met Marjorie Lynn Noe on the set of Bonanza (1959). They were married for 19 years until their 1982 divorce.On May 21, 1991, he had a near fatal blood clot in his left leg that was successfully treated at Cedars-Sinai Hospital.He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 1500 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California on August 15, 1984.Depression ran in his family. |
| Trademarks: |
Often played friendly roles that depend upon family values
Thick curly bouncy brown hair.
Melodramatic TV shows he wrote, directed and acted in
Smoky, gravelly voice. |
| Quotes: |
Whatever you want to do, do it now. There are only so many tomorrows.
<br />
<hr>
I was grown before I realized that other mothers didn't put their heads in the oven.
<br />
<hr>
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.
<br />
<hr>
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.
<br />
<hr>
[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. |
| Job title: |
Actor,Producer,Writer |
| Others works: |
(1960) Print advertisement: Del Monte Foods.
(1959) Unsold pilot: Co-starred with Olive Sturgess in a comedy pilot called "The Tender Years" about their romantic tribulations during their first year of marriage.
(5/6/74) Hosted the 17th Annual |
| Spouse: |
Cindy Landon (February 14, 1983 - July 1, 1991) (his death, 2 children)Lynn Noe (January 12, 1963 - January 2, 1982) (divorced, 4 children)Dodie Levy-Fraser (March 11, 1956 - December 1, 1962) (divorced, 2 children) |
| Children: |
Jen Landon |
| Parents: |
Peggy O'Neill
Eli Maurice Orowitz |
| Relatives: |
Dylan Lupia (Grandchild)
Rachel Matthews (Grandchild)
Justin Matthews (Grandchild) |
|
