Michael Landon may have passed away over 30 years ago, but his legacy certainly lives on, thanks to his acting roles in classic TV series like ‘Bonanza‘, ‘Little House on the Prairie‘, and ‘Highway to Heaven’.
Though, while many of us would remember him as a familiar face on our screens, he was also a doting husband and loving father whose ultimate goal was to ensure he bonded with his children.
Perhaps his desire to be the best parent to his kids stemmed from the fact Landon’s own childhood was tumultuous – his mother struggled immensely with her mental health. Landon even saved her life after she attempted suicide on several different occasions.
While Landon was a talented athlete, an injury during his college years meant he was unable to continue his passions. So, the youngster moved to Los Angeles to try his luck in showbiz. Throughout his lengthy career in TV, he graced the cover of TV Guide a whopping 22 times – an impressive feat he shares with Lucile Ball.Landon was married three times, and was a father to nine children. He had two sons, Mark and John, through adoption with his first wife Dodie Levy-Fraser.
With his second wife, Lynn Noe, Landon became a father to four children – Leslie, Michael Jr., Christopher, and Shawna. He also adopted Noe’s daughter, Cheryl, who was born from a previous relationship.