History of Michael Landon in Timeline

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

1933: Birth of Evelyn Orowitz

In 1933, Evelyn Orowitz, Michael Landon's sister, was born three years before him.

1935: Publication of Little House on the Prairie Book

In 1935, Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote the book that became the basis for the television series "Little House on the Prairie".

October 31, 1936: Michael Landon Born

On October 31, 1936, Michael Landon, born Eugene Maurice Orowitz, was born. He was an American actor and filmmaker known for his roles in "Bonanza", "Little House on the Prairie", and "Highway to Heaven".

1941: Orowitz Family Move

In 1941, when Landon was four years old, his family moved to Collingswood, New Jersey.

1954: Record Javelin Throw

In 1954, Michael Landon made the longest throw (193 ft 4 in) by a high schooler in the United States, earning him an athletic scholarship.

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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February 1959: Death of Landon's Father

In February 1959, Michael Landon's father died from a heart attack.

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: Motel Room Incident

In 1962, Michael Landon allegedly damaged a motel room wall during a stay while headlining the local county fair in Neligh, Nebraska. The room, now called the Michael Landon Suite, was preserved with a plaque commemorating the incident.

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".

1973: Car Accident Involving Eldest Daughter

In 1973, Michael Landon's eldest daughter, Cheryl, was the sole survivor of a serious car collision in Tucson, Arizona. She was hospitalized with serious injuries and remained in a coma for days.

1977: John Everingham's Rescue in Laos

In 1977, Australian photojournalist John Everingham successfully attempted to scuba dive under the Mekong to rescue his lover from communist-ruled Laos.

March 1981: Death of Michael Landon's Mother

In March 1981, Michael Landon's mother, Peggy, died.

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: People Profile

A 1985 profile in People described Michael Landon as a conservative close to Ronald Reagan.

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.

June 15, 1989: Victor French's Death

On June 15, 1989, Victor French died of advanced lung cancer, two months after it was diagnosed. French did not live to see Highway's series finale broadcast.

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.

July 1, 1991: Michael Landon's Death

On July 1, 1991, Michael Landon died in Malibu, California, at the age of 54. He was an American actor and filmmaker known for his roles in "Bonanza", "Little House on the Prairie", and "Highway to Heaven".

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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1991: Criticism of Political Polarization

In a 1991 interview, Michael Landon criticized political polarization and political correctness in America.

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.

May 1999: Airing of Michael Landon, the Father I Knew

In May 1999, Michael Landon, the Father I Knew, a made-for-TV movie co-written and directed by his son Michael Jr., aired on CBS.

May 2009: Death of Landon's Adopted Son

In May 2009, Michael Landon's adopted son Mark died.

2011: Plaque Removal from Knight Park

In 2011, the plaque commemorating "Little Treehouse on the Prairie" in Knight Park, Collingswood, was removed during a fall cleanup and was later given to a local newspaper by an unnamed person.

2015: Melissa Gilbert's Interview

In a 2015 interview, Melissa Gilbert talked about the advice Landon had given her throughout her life about the importance of home and family.

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.