Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Michael Landon

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Michael Landon made an impact.

Michael Landon was a prominent American actor and filmmaker, widely recognized for his roles in popular television series. He gained fame as Little Joe Cartwright in "Bonanza," embodying a charismatic cowboy. Subsequently, he starred as Charles Ingalls in "Little House on the Prairie," portraying a loving father and pioneer. Later, he took on the role of Jonathan Smith in "Highway to Heaven," an angel sent to help people. Landon's frequent appearances on the cover of TV Guide highlighted his popularity and impact on television culture.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1956: First Starring Appearance

In 1956, Michael Landon had his first starring appearance on the television series "Telephone Time", in the episode "The Mystery of Casper Hauser" as the title character. He also had two uncredited speaking roles in Cheyenne.

1957: Release of First Single

In 1957, Candlelight Records released Michael Landon's single "Gimme a Little Kiss (Will "Ya" Huh)"/ "Be Patient with Me" during the height of his notoriety for his role in "I Was a Teenage Werewolf".

1957: Role in 'I Was a Teenage Werewolf'

In 1957, Michael Landon had a movie role in "I Was a Teenage Werewolf". He also appeared in "Gift from a Gunman" in Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater

1958: Early Roles in Film and Television

In 1958, Michael Landon had roles in the movies "Maracaibo", "High School Confidential", and "God's Little Acre", and in television shows such as "The Rifleman" and "Trackdown". He also returned to Cheyenne in the episode "The White Warrior"

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1959: Early Roles in Film and Television

In 1959, Michael Landon had a movie role in "The Legend of Tom Dooley" and in television shows such as "Wanted Dead or Alive". He also appeared in "Living is a Lonely Thing" in Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater

1959: Starring Role in Bonanza

In 1959, at age 22, Michael Landon began his starring TV role as Little Joe Cartwright on Bonanza.

1962: First Script Written for Bonanza

In 1962, Michael Landon wrote his first script for "Bonanza".

1962: Re-release of Single

In 1962, both the A- and B-sides of Michael Landon's first record were re-released on the Fono-Graf label with a picture sleeve of Landon's role on Bonanza as Little Joe Cartwright.

March 1964: Release of Landon's Single

In March 1964, RCA Victor Records released Michael Landon's single, "Linda Is Lonesome"/"Without You".

1964: Bonanza Tops Nielsen Ratings

During Bonanza's sixth season in 1964, the show topped the Nielsen ratings.

1965: Bonanza Remains Number One

In 1965, Bonanza remained number one in the Nielsen ratings for three years.

1968: First Episode Directed for Bonanza

In 1968, Michael Landon directed his first episode of "Bonanza".

September 1972: Little Joe's Wedding Episode

In September 1972, Little Joe's two-hour wedding episode ("Forever") was aired. Landon's script recalled Little Joe's brother, Hoss, who was initially the story's groom, before Dan Blocker's death.

November 1972: Cancellation of Bonanza

In November 1972, due to declining ratings during the final season, NBC canceled "Bonanza".

1972: Appearance in The Special London Bridge Special

In 1972, Michael Landon was among the guests in David Winters' musical television special "The Special London Bridge Special", starring Tom Jones and Jennifer O'Neill.

January 16, 1973: Last Episode of Bonanza

On January 16, 1973, the last episode of "Bonanza" aired. Michael Landon appeared in all 14 seasons of the series.

1973: Director and Writer for Love Story

In 1973, Michael Landon was an episode director and writer for the short-lived NBC romantic anthology series "Love Story".

1982: Co-production of Love Is Forever

In 1982, Michael Landon co-produced an NBC television movie, "Love Is Forever", starring Laura Gemser and himself, about John Everingham's rescue of his lover from Laos in 1977.

1982: Little House: A New Beginning

In 1982, NBC retooled Little House on the Prairie as Little House: A New Beginning, focusing on the Wilder family and the Walnut Grove community.

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1983: End of Little House Series

In 1983, Little House: A New Beginning ended. This marked the final chapter of Little House, although three made-for-television movies aired the following year.

1984: Release of Sam's Son

In 1984, Sam's Son, a coming-of-age feature film written and directed by Michael Landon and loosely based on his early life, was released.

1985: Hiring of Michael Landon Jr. and Work with Disabled People

By 1985, Michael Landon hired his son, Michael Landon Jr., as a member of his camera crew. He also brought real-life cancer patients and disabled people to the set, and hired adults with disabilities to write episodes for Highway to Heaven.

June 1988: Highway to Heaven's Abbreviated Final Season

In June 1988, NBC announced that "Highway to Heaven" would return for an abbreviated fifth season, which would be its last.

March 1989: Airing of Highway to Heaven Episodes

In March 1989, one episode of "Highway to Heaven" aired as part of the abbreviated fifth season.

1990: Hosting America's Missing Children

During the 1990-91 season, Michael Landon appeared as host of the CBS special "America's Missing Children", which explored cases of missing children. He also supported a proenvironmentalist proposition in California

1990: Support for Pro-Environmentalist Proposition

In 1990, Michael Landon supported a pro-environmentalist proposition in California.

1991: Starring in Us Pilot and Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer

In 1991, Michael Landon starred in a two-hour pilot called Us for CBS; however, after his diagnosis on April 5 of pancreatic cancer, the show never aired beyond the pilot. He also appeared on Match Game.

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1991: Final Tonight Show Appearance

In 1991, during Michael Landon's final Tonight Show appearance, Johnny Carson recounted a prank Landon played on him at a restaurant.

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1993: TV Guide Lists Memorable Special

In 1993, TV Guide listed Little Joe's September 1972 two-hour wedding episode ("Forever") as one of TV's most memorable specials.

2021: Karen Grassle Publishes Memoir

In 2021, Karen Grassle, Landon's "Little House" co-star, released her memoir, "Bright Lights, Prairie Dust: Reflections on Life, Loss, and Love by House's Ma," detailing her troubled relationship with Landon and derogatory remarks he made about her on set.