Most people old enough to do so, can remember Michael Landon as a young man who won the role of Little Joe Cartwright on the incredibly successful "Bonanza". One of the top-rating shows of its era, it made the young Michael Landon a television star of the highest order.
After 15 years on that show came his epic role as Charles Ingalls on the huge hit "Little House On The Prairie", a show that defined family television during the 70s - 80s and then his other hit, "Highway To Heaven", where he played a probationery angel alongside his former "Little House" co-star Victor French.
Not only was he a marvellous actor, he was a highly-respected writer, director and producer who was sadly missed when he passed away at the age of 54. A fine talent who gave us plenty of wonderful work with which to remember him. His shows will live on.
Charles Ingalls was the father figure for a generation of Americans and what better lasting tribute could be paid to an actor that had nine kids of his own! Michael Landon played a cowboy (Little Joe on Bonanza) and an angel (Jonathan Smith on Highway To Heaven), but he will always best be remembered for his long running role as patriarch of the Ingalls clan on "The Little House" series. Week after week he gave advice, fought off the immoral and unjust to stand as one of the most beloved characters in television history. When Pa Ingalls saw his "Half-Pint" off for the last time, it was a sad day around the breakfast table the next day in many American Homes and it was an equally sad day in July 1991 when this beloved actor left us all too soon!
I have watched almost every one of the Little House on the prairie episodes and I don't think that there would have ever been a better actor to play the role of Charles Ingalls. He was a very talented actor. He played a great father and a loving husband. He is definently a role model to many people. I was young when he died but it was almost like losing a family member. He will live on for many years to come in our hearts and on our televisions. I believe he is the number one actor in the 1980's.
Michael Landon is truly an 'all-time great'. The length of his acting career proves that fact. It is amazing that he could make so many different characters come to life the way he did. His acting, frankly, stuns me. I'll never get over the fact that he died in the prime of his life and career. Hollywood and the entire world lost 'one of the all-time greats' when Michael Landon passed away. He will never be forgotten.
I love and still love Michael Landon
As I think he is one of tv's all-time greats
And will forever be linked as Little Joe and Charles Ingalls
Too bad though that his life was flawed
But our lives are all flawed
He went through a troubled childhood
And fathered nine children
But I loved him also for being witty and down to earth
Still miss him to this day!
But his shows will live on forever from one generation to the next!
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