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Michael Landon Jr.American actor, director, screenwriter and producer.
Date of Birth: 20.06.1964
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Michael Landon Jr.
Michael Graham Landon Jr. was born on June 20, 1964, in Encino, California. He is an American actor, director, screenwriter, and producer. His father, the late actor Michael Landon, was well-known for his roles in the TV series "Bonanza," "Little House on the Prairie," and "Highway to Heaven." Michael Jr.'s mother is Marjorie Lynn Noe, who was Landon Sr.'s second wife.
Growing up, Michael Jr. had a large family due to his father's three marriages. He has nine siblings, including Christopher B. Landon, Leslie Landon, Shawna Landon, Cheryl Ann Pontrelli (his mother's daughter from her first marriage), and Jennifer Landon and Sean Landon (his father's children from his third marriage).
In December 1987, Michael Jr. married actress Sharee Gregory, and they have three children together: Ashley, Brittany, and Austin. For a time, their daughters were homeschooled, but they eventually decided to enroll them in a private school. Concerned about raising their children in a noisy city, Michael and Sharee relocated from Los Angeles to a quieter area.
Career
Michael Jr. began his acting career in 1977 with a role in the TV series "Little House on the Prairie," where he portrayed Benjamin 'Benj' Cartwright, the same character his father played. After a significant hiatus, he returned to the screen in 1988, reprising his role as a grown-up Benj in the TV movie "Bonanza: The Next Generation," a continuation of the legendary series "Bonanza." He also appeared in an episode of the series "Superboy" in the same year.
Throughout his career, Michael Jr. worked on several other Bonanza-related projects, including TV movies such as "Bonanza: The Return" (1993), "Back to Bonanza" (1993), and "Bonanza: Under Attack" (1995). However, with the onset of the new century, Michael Jr. transitioned to a successful career as a screenwriter, director, and producer.
After his father's passing, Michael Jr. was involved in creating two films dedicated to his memory. He worked on the documentary "Michael Landon: Memories with Laughter and Love" (1991) and the TV drama "Michael Landon, the Father I Knew" (1999). In the latter, the role of Landon Sr. was portrayed by actor John Schneider, while Joel Berti played the role of Michael Jr.
Faith and Personal Life
At the age of 18, Michael Jr. became a devout Christian, which continues to influence his work. When he was 15, his family faced a difficult period when it was revealed that his father had an affair with a makeup artist on set. While it became a scandal for the public, for the family, Landon Sr.'s betrayal was a tragedy that ultimately led them to find solace and faith in God.
Lynn Noe divorced her husband and found solace in a church, which transformed her life. She shared this newfound faith with her children, especially Michael Jr., who was going through a rebellious phase at the time. Initially, he only attended church to support his mother, but gradually, the pastor's words touched his heart.
Michael Jr. met his future wife, Sharee, when he was around 20 years old while working as a camera assistant on the set of the series "Highway to Heaven." Sharee's younger sister, Natalie Gregory, also acted in the show. It was during a church scene that Sharee read a small pamphlet and they struck up a conversation about it. Michael invited Sharee on their first date, and they have been together for 15 years.
Overall, Michael Landon Jr. has had a diverse career in the entertainment industry, encompassing acting, directing, screenwriting, and producing. His faith and family values continue to shape his work, making him a respected figure in the industry.
