Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Michael Landon

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

Michael Landon Sr. was a prominent American actor and filmmaker, best known for his starring roles in three highly successful television series. He gained fame as Little Joe Cartwright in the long-running Western, Bonanza. Subsequently, he portrayed Charles Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie, a family drama that he also executive produced, wrote, and directed. Later, he starred as Jonathan Smith in Highway to Heaven. Landon's popularity was reflected in his frequent appearances on the cover of TV Guide, solidifying his status as a major television personality.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1956: First Starring Appearance

In 1956, Michael Landon made 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 an episode of the TV series Cheyenne.

1957: Roles in Film and Television

In 1957, Michael Landon appeared in various roles including the movie "I Was a Teenage Werewolf" and an episode of Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater.

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1958: Film and Television Roles

In 1958, Michael Landon continued to secure various roles in film and television, including movies such as Maracaibo, High School Confidential, and God's Little Acre. He also appeared in episodes of several television series, such as The Rifleman and The Texan.

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1959: Bonanza Debut

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

1959: Roles in Film and Television

In 1959, Michael Landon continued to secure roles in film and television, including movies such as The Legend of Tom Dooley. He also appeared in episodes of several television series, such as Wanted Dead or Alive and Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater.

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1962: First Script Writing

In 1962, Michael Landon wrote his first script for Bonanza, receiving more fan mail than any other cast member, Landon negotiated with executive producer David Dortort and NBC to write and direct some episodes.

1964: Bonanza Tops Nielsen Ratings

In 1964, during Bonanza's sixth season (1964–1965), the show topped the Nielsen ratings.

1965: Bonanza Number One for Three Years

In 1965, Bonanza remained number one in the Nielsen ratings for three years, following topping the charts in 1964.

1968: First Directing Role

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") aired, which TV Guide listed in 1993 as one of TV's most memorable specials.

November 1972: Cancellation of Bonanza

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

January 16, 1973: Final Episode of Bonanza

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

1973: End of Bonanza

In 1973, Bonanza ended its run after 14 seasons. Michael Landon appeared in all 14 seasons of the series.

1973: Episode Director and Writer for Love Story

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

1974: Little House on the Prairie

In 1974, Michael Landon began starring as Charles Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie.

1982: Co-Production of Love Is Forever

In 1982, Michael Landon co-produced an NBC "true story" television movie, Love Is Forever, starring Laura Gemser and himself.

1982: Little House: A New Beginning

In 1982, after eight seasons, Little House on the Prairie was retooled by NBC as Little House: A New Beginning, which focused on the Wilder family and the Walnut Grove community.

1983: End of Little House Series

In 1983, A New Beginning marked the final chapter of the Little House series. The following year, three made-for-television movies aired.

1984: Highway to Heaven

In 1984, Michael Landon began starring as Jonathan Smith in Highway to Heaven.

1984: Sam's Son Release

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

1985: Inclusivity on Highway to Heaven set

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

June 1988: Cancellation Announcement of Highway to Heaven

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

March 1989: Highway to Heaven Episode Air Date

In March 1989, one of the final episodes of Highway to Heaven aired.

1989: End of Highway to Heaven

In 1989, Highway to Heaven ended its run after five seasons.

1990: Hosting CBS Special

During the 1990–91 season, Michael Landon appeared as host of the CBS special America's Missing Children, which explored actual cases of missing children that were under investigation.

1990: Supported Pro-Environmentalist Proposition

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

1991: Starring in Us Pilot

In 1991, Michael Landon starred in a two-hour pilot called Us for CBS, meant to be another series for him. However, the show never aired beyond the pilot due to his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. He also appeared as host of the CBS special America's Missing Children.

1991: Final Tonight Show Appearance

In 1991, during Michael Landon's final Tonight Show appearance, Johnny Carson recounted how Landon pranked him at a restaurant by creating a fake menu featuring cat metaphors, playing on Carson's belief that he had accidentally run over the owner's cat during a previous visit.

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