Michael Landon
Known for
Michael Landon was an American actor, writer and director born in Queens, New York in 1936, and one of the defining faces of US primetime television. He rose to stardom as Little Joe Cartwright on the long-running Western Bonanza (1959), before creating and starring in the family classic Little House on the Prairie (1974) as Charles Ingalls. In the 1980s he anchored Highway to Heaven (1984) as the wandering angel Jonathan Smith, again as writer, producer and star. His warm, values-driven storytelling made him one of the most trusted household presences of American network TV until his death in 1991.
Michael Landon
13 Movies
19 Series
Michael Landon was an American actor, writer and director born in Queens, New York in 1936, and one of the defining faces of US primetime television. He rose to stardom as Little Joe Cartwright on the long-running Western Bonanza (1959), before creating and starring in the family classic Little House on the Prairie (1974) as Charles Ingalls. In the 1980s he anchored Highway to Heaven (1984) as the wandering angel Jonathan Smith, again as writer, producer and star. His warm, values-driven storytelling made him one of the most trusted household presences of American network TV until his death in 1991.
Movies
Plays Lago Orlando
Maracaibo
1958
Director
Plays Charles Ingalls
Little House: The Last Farewell
1984
Plays Tony Rivers
I Was a Teenage Werewolf
1957
Director
The Little House Years
1979
Plays Dave Dawson
God's Little Acre
1958
Plays Charles Ingalls
Little House: Look Back to Yesterday
1983
Plays Peter Minut
Swing Out, Sweet Land
1970
Director
Plays Gene Orman
Sam's Son
1984
Plays Tom Dooley
The Legend of Tom Dooley
1959
Plays Steve Bentley
High School Confidential!
1958
TV Shows
Director
Plays Joe Cartwright
Bonanza
1959
Director
Plays Charles Ingalls
Little House on the Prairie
1974
Director
Plays Jonathan Smith
Highway to Heaven
1984
Plays Sandy
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
1951
Plays Willie Losada
State Trooper
1956
Plays Jed Daws
Trackdown
1957
Plays Claude Duncan
General Electric Theater
1953
Plays Jerome Juventin
The Adventures of Jim Bowie
1956
Plays Carl Martin
Wanted: Dead or Alive
1958
Plays Billy Mathis
The Rifleman
1958
Plays Dan Overton
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
1956
Plays Pietro
Wire Service
1956
Plays Augie Barone
Studio One
1948
Plays Eddie
The 20th Century Fox Hour
1955
Plays Chris Anderson
Tombstone Territory
1957
Plays Howard
Suspicion
1957
Plays Johnny Risk
Alcoa Theatre
1957
Plays Aitchinson
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
1958
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
Love is Forever
Full Filmography
Highway to Heaven
Jonathan Smith · 111 episodes
1984–
TV
Sam's Son
Gene Orman
1984
Film
Little House: The Last Farewell
Charles Ingalls
1984
Film
Little House: Bless All the Dear Children
Charles Ingalls (voice) (uncredited)
1983
Film
Little House: Look Back to Yesterday
Charles Ingalls
1983
Film
Walt Disney: One Man's Dream
Self
1981
Film
The Little House Years
Charles Ingalls
1979
Film
Little House on the Prairie
Charles Ingalls · 181 episodes
1974–
TV
Swing Out, Sweet Land
Peter Minut
1970
Film
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Michael Landon still alive?
Michael Landon passed away on July 1, 1991 at age 54.
What are the most famous roles of Michael Landon?
Michael Landon is best known for roles in I Was a Teenage Werewolf, God's Little Acre, High School Confidential!.
How many movies has Michael Landon been in?
Over a 35-year career (since 1956), Michael Landon has appeared in 12 movies and 19 TV shows.
What was Michael Landon's first movie?
The career of Michael Landon began with These Wilder Years (1956).
What is Michael Landon's most recent movie or series?
Michael Landon's most recent release is Us, which premiered on September 20, 1991.
What TV shows has Michael Landon appeared in?
On television, Michael Landon has appeared in Little House on the Prairie, Bonanza, Highway to Heaven, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Michael Landon
1936-10-31 · Forest Hills, Queens, New York City, New York, USA
Michael Landon (born Eugene Maurice Orowitz; October 31, 1936 – July 1, 1991) was an American actor, writer, director, and producer. He is known for his roles as Little Joe Cartwright in Bonanza (1959–1973), Charles Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie (1974–1983), and Jonathan Smith in Highway to Heaven (1984–1989). Landon appeared on the cover of TV Guide 22 times, second only to Lucille Ball.