History of Michael Landon in Timeline

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

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

In 1935, Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote the book Little House on the Prairie, which would later be adapted into a successful television series starring Michael Landon.

October 31, 1936: Eugene Maurice Orowitz Born

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

1941: Family Moved to Collingswood, New Jersey

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

1954: Javelin Throwing Achievement

In 1954, Michael Landon's javelin throw of 193 ft 4 in was the longest throw by a high schooler in the United States, earning him an athletic scholarship.

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: Release of Landon's 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 role in I Was a Teenage Werewolf.

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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February 1959: Death of Landon's Father

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

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: Motel Room Incident in Neligh, Nebraska

In 1962, Michael Landon allegedly damaged a motel room wall during a stay in Neligh, Nebraska, while headlining the local county fair. The room, now known as the Michael Landon Suite, remains mostly unchanged and features a plaque commemorating the incident.

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.

1962: Re-release of Singles

In 1962, the A- and B-sides of Michael Landon's 1957 record were re-released on the Fono-Graf label, including a picture sleeve of his role on Bonanza.

March 1964: RCA Victor Records released Landon single

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

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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.

1972: Guest Appearance in 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: 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.

1973: Car Accident of Cheryl Landon

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

1974: Little House on the Prairie

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

1977: Rescue Attempt

In 1977, Australian photojournalist John Everingham's successful attempt to scuba dive under the Mekong to rescue his lover from communist-ruled Laos.

March 1981: Death of 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 "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.

1985: People Profile

In 1985, a People profile described Michael Landon as a conservative close to Ronald Reagan.

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.

June 15, 1989: Death of Victor French

On June 15, 1989, Victor French, co-star of Highway to Heaven, died of advanced lung cancer two months after diagnosis. Landon invited his youngest daughter, Jennifer Landon, to take part in the final episode.

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.

March 1991: Criticized Political Polarization

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

April 1991: Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer

In April 1991, Michael Landon was diagnosed with inoperable and terminal pancreatic cancer after suffering from a severe headache. Landon said that he believed his smoking and drinking had caused his pancreatic cancer, and that he had tried to quit smoking after co-star Victor French died of lung cancer.

May 1991: Interview with the Associated Press

In a May 1991 interview with the Associated Press, Michael Landon expressed his beliefs in God, family, truth, love, and the divine image within each person.

July 1, 1991: Michael Landon's Death

On July 1, 1991, Michael Landon Sr. died at the age of 54. He was an American actor and filmmaker.

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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1993: TV Guide Listed Little Joe's Wedding Episode

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: Michael Landon, the Father I Knew Aired on CBS

In May 1999, the made-for-TV movie "Michael Landon, the Father I Knew", co-written and directed by Michael Landon Jr., aired on CBS. Starring John Schneider as Michael Landon, Cheryl Ladd as Lynn Noe, and Joel Berti as Michael Landon Jr., the biopic portrayed Michael Jr.'s emotional trauma during his parents' divorce and his father's death, spanning from the 1960s through the early 1990s.

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May 2009: Interment of Adopted Son Mark

In May 2009, Michael Landon's adopted son, Mark, who died that month, was interred in the private family mausoleum at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery, in Culver City, California, where Michael Landon is also interred.

2011: Plaque Removed from Knight Park

In 2011, the plaque from the Little Treehouse on the Prairie, located in Knight Park, Collingswood, was removed during a fall cleanup. The borough planned to reinstate it in a safer location, which they did the following summer.

2015: Gilbert's Interview

In a 2015 interview, Melissa Gilbert reflected on the advice Michael Landon gave her, emphasizing the importance of home, family, and community, and having fun in life.

2021: Karen Grassle Published Memoir

In 2021, Karen Grassle, Landon's co-star on Little House, published her memoir, "Bright Lights, Prairie Dust: Reflections on Life, Loss, and Love by House's Ma". In the book, Grassle detailed a troubled relationship she had with Landon.

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