Michael Landon

Biography

Michael Landon was born Eugene Maurice Orowitz on October 31, 1936 in Forest Hills, New York. The Orowitz family moved to Collinswood in 1940. Michael was the youngest child of Eli Orowitz and Peggy O'Neal; he had one older sister, Evelyn. Unlike Little Joe, the role which first defined his acting abilities and endeared him to his fans, Michael's own childhood was filled with tension and heartache.
Although his parents remained together, their communication went from stony silence to violent arguments. His mother, a former actress, was particularly volatile and frequently attempted suicide. Michael later jokingly said he was grown before he realized that other mother's didn't put their heads in the oven.

During his early childhood, Eugene or "Oogie" as he was called was often lonely and confused. Further complicating his early childhood, Michael suffered from nocturnal enuresis which he later chronicled in the television movie "The Loneliest Runner". His mother's attempts to shame him because of this condition added to his unhappiness.

A self-proclaimed "emotional" child, Eugene found his parents, particularly his mother, difficult to cope with. To avoid the stress and tension of his family's relationships, he retreated inside himself, spending many hours acting out fantasies, or imagining himself the "hero of Collingswood".

Michael was a very bright child and maintained a straight A average in grade school. His loneliness led him to decide he would rather be popular than smart. As his popularity grew and reputation for being a class clown increased, his grades plummeted. Despite his genius level IQ, he failed the 9th grade. Almost as if out of a script he would later write, his life was turned around by his discovery that he could excel at throwing the javelin. With his success with the javelin, he finally found an acceptable way to get the positive feedback he needed.Cute kid!

Michael was offered many college athletic scholarships because of his prowess with the javelin. He accepted a full athletic scholarship to attend the University of California. After accepting the scholarship, and moving to California, Michael injured his arm and lost the scholarship. While working in a warehouse, a friend asked him to help him in an audition at Warner Brothers Studio. The agents were not impressed with his friend, but Mike did so well that Warner Brothers signed him and sent him to acting school.

During the four months the school lasted, Michael found his calling. He became Michael Landon by picking a name out of a telephone book. Small roles led to bigger ones in such movies as "The Legend of Tom Dooley" and the cult classic "I Was a Teenage Werewolf".

Face look familiar?
Michael's life and career, as well as television history were forever changed when producer and creator of Bonanza, David Dortort, saw his performance in "Restless Gun". Mr. Dortort was impressed with his acting abilities, but his decision was reinforced when his wife saw his photo and said, "This one has a face touched by heaven"
Dortort cast Michael in the role of heartthrob Little Joe Cartwright, youngest son of Ben Cartwright of Bonanza.

Michael thrived on the set of "Bonanza", forming close personal relationships with his co-stars Dan Blocker and Lorne Greene. During his fourteen years as "Little Joe", Mike developed not only as an actor but also as a writer and director. Mike loved being Little Joe. He developed his skills as a writer and director by writing and directing many episodes of Bonanza. After Bonanza was cancelled after 14 years, Michael used his acting, writing, and directing skills to produce, write, direct, as well as star in Little House on the Prairie, and later, Highway to Heaven. His last project was a successful pilot for a television show called Us. Unfortunately, Michael did not live to see the television series based on the pilot go into production.

Despite professional success, or perhaps because of it, Michael's private life was at times tumultuous. Michael was married three times and was the proud father of nine children with his three wives. Despite the breakdown of his marriages, Michael was a devoted family man and was happiest when involved with his children and family. Michael actively participated in the rearing of all his children.

The world lost one of it's greatest talents on July 1, 1991. Only three months after it's initial diagnosis Michael Landon died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 54. Mike's well deserved star!!Michael faced death with the characteristic charm, wit, and determination that he had demonstrated throughout his life when facing adversity. In addition to the many family members he left behind, he left millions of fans, and his contributions to family entertainment continue to warm hearts of people of all ages all around the world. "He left a beautiful memory."