Five Noteworthy Tidbits About Michael Landon’s Role As ‘Little Joe’ On ‘Bonanza’

Jul 06, 2021

"Bonanza" was a television series that aired from 1959 to 1973 on NBC. The show is the network's longest-running Western with 14 seasons. Michael Landon starred in the series as Little Joe Cartwright, and he is one of the few cast members that remained on the series for its entire run. Landon wasn't just an actor on the show; he also wrote and directed several of the episodes.

The series played a huge part in launching Landon's career forward, and the experience he gained from writing and directing would help him later when he worked on "Little House on the Prairie." It took him several attempts, but eventually, Landon wrote a script that producer David Dortort thought was good enough to shoot. He became a regular writer for the series in 1962. Landon had his directorial debut in 1968.

One of Landon's scripts was considered one of the most memorable specials on television by TV Guide in 1993. It was Little Joe's two-hour wedding special, titled "Forever." The episode recalled Little Joe's brother, Hoss, prior to actor Dan Blocker's death and was very emotional. Most of the episodes Landon wrote were dramas.

In the series, Landon's character, Little Joe Cartwright, was the youngest member of the  Cartwright family, which was led by Ben Cartwright, portrayed by Lorne Green. Ben had three sons, all with different mothers, and the show chronicles their adventures on their thousand square-mile ranch called Ponderosa. The ranch was located on the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe in Nevada. Read on to learn six fascinating facts about Landon's time on "Bonanza."

Landon was only five feet and seven inches tall, so while standing around his six-foot-plus costars, Dan Blocker and Lorne Green, he looked rather small. This is what pushed him to wear four-inch lifts in his shoes for the entire series. 

Producer David Dortort had mixed feelings about casting Landon in the role of Little Joe. He felt that Landon was too young and unfamiliar as an actor to excel at playing the part. So, Dortort considered hiring Robert Blake and Robert Fuller instead. The producer changed his mind after his wife saw a publicity photo of Landon and convinced her husband to give him the role.

The show also changed Landon's personal life when he met Lynn Noe, who would become his second wife. Noe was cast as an uncredited saloon girl on the series, and Landon was crazy about her instantly. The pair were married in 1963, and they have five children together, including fellow actors Michael Jr. and Leslie. Unfortunately, Landon and Noe divorced in 1982.

Landon was the only original cast member of "Bonanza" to not wear a hairpiece during filming. Pernell Roberts, who played the eldest son Adam Cartwright, and Lorne Green both wore hairpieces since the series began. Green chose to wear his all of the time, even in his personal life. However, Roberts preferred to only wear his on camera. Landon may have never needed a hairpiece, but he did dye his hair after he began going gray in his 20s. 

The actor was nicknamed "Socks" because he smoked so many cigarettes that it was said even his feet smelled of the smoke. In 1961, Landon was smoking four packs of unfiltered cigarettes a day. He quit the habit in the summer of 1989, but tragically Landon was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the fall of 1990.

Landon and Noe's son, Michael Jr., appeared in the television film "Bonanza: The Next Generation." The made-for-television film was made as a sequel to the original series and was originally intended to be a pilot for a new show but was adapted into a film format instead. It is followed by two more television films, "Bonanza: The Return" and "Bonanza: Under Attack." Michael Jr. appeared in all installments of the "Bonanza: The Next Generation" films as the son of Little Joe, Benji Cartwright.  

Landon's son, Michael Jr., was born in 1964, while "Bonanza" was already on air. He had the chance to grow up surrounded by the series, likely visiting the set as a child. The spin-off film was released in 1998, and Landon passed away in 1991. It is very special that Michael Jr. had the chance to portray Little Joe's son and keep his father's legacy going. 

Landon was a legendary television star and is well-remembered as an actor, writer, and director. He appeared on the cover of TV Guide 22 times throughout his career, which makes him second only to Lucille Ball. "Bonanza" is still considered one of the best television series of all time, according to TV Guide.    

Did you know these facts about Michael Landon? Do you have a favorite moment from "Bonanza?" Tell us about it, and be sure to pass this onto your friends and family as well.