Introducing 'Bonanza' Actor Michael Landon And His Nine Kids

Nov 24, 2021 by apost team

Michael Landon was a well-known and loved actor and filmmaker best known for his roles in "Bonanza" and "Little House on the Prairie." He earned his starring role in the former in 1959 and easily skyrocketed to fame. "Bonanza" was well-received by the fans and critics, and it did well with TV ratings, too. Landon later began writing and directing a few episodes on the series, showcasing just how talented and memorable he really was. In January 1973, the series aired its final episode, bringing a wonderful chapter of Landon's life to a close.

During his time as a star in the spotlight, Landon was also busy behind the scenes keeping romance alive. He was married three times and fathered nine children over the course of his life. Landon died on July 1, 1991, but he certainly has not been forgotten. Many of his children have since gone on to become stars of their own and have continued to share his legacy and memory with the world.

Mark Fraser Landon was born in 1948 to Landon's first wife, Dodie Levy-Fraser. The famous actor married Fraser in 1956 and adopted Mark in 1960, according to Country Thang Daily. Mark followed in his famous dad's footsteps and became an actor himself, appearing in films such as "Double Edge" in 1986 and "Goodbye America" in 1997.

Josh

Born in 1960, Josh Landon was adopted by Landon when he was just an infant at the same time Mark was. Landon treated him like he was his own and proved to be a great father.

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Cheryl Lynn Landon, born Cheryl Anne Pontrelli in 1953, was only 9 when her mother, Marjorie Lynn Noe, married the "Bonanza" star. Landon easily took in Cheryl and treated her like his own. They had a beautiful bond together, and Cheryl has even honored her step-dad with her book "I Promised My Dad."

With her biological parents being Landon and Noe, Leslie was destined for stardom. She had a role on "Little House on the Prairie" alongside her famous father and also starred in "Little House: The Last Farewell." Born in 1962, Leslie grew up seeing her father in the spotlight and entering it herself, meaning she was exposed to the world early on. According to Country Thang Daily, she received help for her eating disorder during her young adult years, which later encouraged her to earn her degree in psychology at the University of Southern California. Leslie has since become a family therapist.

Taking his father's name, Michael Jr. also followed suit in pursuing a career much like Landon's. He has worked as a director and producer for films such as "Jamaa" and "When Calls the Heart." Landon's namesake also showcased his many talents in "Little House on the Prairie" and "Bonanza: Under Attack."

Born in 1971, Shawna Leigh Landon also entered the entertainment industry and even starred in the 1991 film "Michael Landon: Memories with Laughter and Love." Country Thang Daily reported that she later switched up her career and became a real estate agent in Malibu, California.

Born in 1975, Christopher is the youngest of Landon and Noe's children together. After graduating from Loyola Marymount University, he quickly entered the world of entertainment and became a writer and producer. According to Country Thang Daily, his popular script for "Disturbia" was brought to life when he moved from Los Angeles, California, to Austin, Texas. He went on to work on a number of more horror films, such as "Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones" in 2014 and "Happy Death Day" in 2019.

In 1983, Landon remarried again when he got married to his third wife, Cindy Clerico, a makeup artist on "Little House on the Prairie." Together they had two children, with the first, Jennifer Rachel Landon, being born in 1983. At just 5 years old, Jennifer landed her first acting job in "Highway To Heaven" alongside her father. The desire to act stayed well and alive inside Jennifer, and she went on to study drama at NYU before obtaining roles in the series "Days of Our Lives" and "Animal Kingdom."

Sean Matthew Landon was born in 1986 and is the second child that came from Landon and Clerico's marriage. Country Thang Daily reported that, like his sister Shawna, he is also a successful real estate agent in Malibu. He and his sister Jennifer are advocates of Pancreatic cancer research and help the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to raise awareness.

What did you think about Michael Landon's kids? Did you know his children grew up to be so beautiful and successful? Let us know, and be sure to pass this on to your loved ones, too!