Michael Landon American actor, screenwriter, director and producer Date of Birth: 31.10.1936 Country: USA

1. Biography of Michael Landon
2. Challenges and Inspiration
3. Rise to Fame
4. Personal Life
5. Health Battles and Legacy

Biography of Michael Landon

Michael Landon, born Eugene Maurice Orowitz, was an American actor, writer, director, and producer. He was born on October 31, 1936, in Forest Hills, Queens, New York. His father, Eli Maurice, was an actor and theater manager, while his mother, Peggy, was a dancer and comedic actress. In 1941, the family moved to New Jersey. Landon grew up in a conservative synagogue, where he learned to read Hebrew and had his bar mitzvah ceremony.

Challenges and Inspiration

During his childhood, Landon constantly worried about his mother attempting to take her own life. On one occasion, their family went to the beach, where Peggy tried to jump off a cliff and drown herself but was saved. However, she didn't acknowledge what she had done and shortly after, Landon vomited. He considers this experience to be the worst in his life. Landon also struggled with bedwetting during his childhood, and this fact is documented in his biography, "Michael Landon: His Triumph and Tragedy". His mother would hang the wet sheets outside the window for everyone to see. Landon would rush home every day, trying to hide the "evidence" before his classmates could see it. This experience later inspired his television film, "The Loneliest Runner".

Rise to Fame

Landon excelled in javelin throwing in school, setting a record in 1954 among high school students in the United States. However, his sports career ended when he tore the tendons in his shoulder. After entering the world of cinema, Landon starred in the science fiction film "I Was a Teenage Werewolf" in 1957. Two years later, at the age of 19, he landed his first television role as Little Joe Cartwright in the first color television series, "Bonanza". He often appeared shirtless in the series, earning a reputation as a heartthrob. Landon also performed many of his own stunts. After the cancellation of "Bonanza", he became a star in the series "Little House on the Prairie", which aired until 1991. Throughout his acting career, he appeared in films such as "God's Little Acre", "Sam's Son", and "Where Pigeons Go to Die". He also appeared in several television series, including "Suspicion" and "Goodyear Theatre".

Personal Life

Landon was married three times and had five children and four stepchildren. His first marriage was to Dodie Levy-Fraser, which lasted from March 1956 to December 1962. He then married Lynn Noe on January 12, 1963, and they were together until 1982. Finally, he married makeup artist and producer Cindy Clerico on February 14, 1983.

Health Battles and Legacy

On April 5, 1991, Landon was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which had metastasized to his liver and lymph nodes. He publicly announced his battle with cancer and asked his fans to pray for him. On May 21, 1991, he underwent a successful surgery to remove a blood clot in his left leg. Sadly, Landon passed away on July 1, 1991, in Malibu, California. Landon appeared on the cover of "TV Guide" a record-breaking 22 times, falling just short of surpassing Lucille Ball's record.