Facing cancer in public
When doctors diagnosed Landon in early April 1991, the cancer had already spread to his liver. Rather than leave the announcement to others, he invited reporters to his home. Melissa Gilbert later recalled that his decision reflected his desire to control how the news reached the public and discourage tabloid rumors.
Landon retreated to his Malibu ranch with his wife, Cindy, and their two youngest children. He adopted a vegetarian diet and used vitamins, enzymes and acupuncture. He also received chemotherapy on April 18, followed by an experimental cancer drug in early May.
The prognosis was poor. According to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer at the time was about 4%. It has since reached roughly 10% to 13%, though it remains among the lowest for common cancers.
On May 9, 1991, Landon returned to Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show," where he had long been a familiar guest. Recordings of the appearance show his substantial weight loss, but he remained outwardly hopeful that he could overcome the disease.
Twelve days later, he successfully underwent surgery to remove a life-threatening blood clot from his left leg, according to Wikipedia. In June, LIFE magazine featured him on its cover after he gave an exclusive private interview.
His final days with family
Carson's son Ricky died in a car accident on June 21, 1991. Despite his own severe pain and the few days he had left, Landon promptly called his friend to offer condolences. After Landon's death, Carson recalled the courage and sensitivity it took for Landon to comfort him while suffering so much himself.
As his condition deteriorated, Landon spent his final weekend surrounded by family and close friends at the ranch. Cindy, all nine of his children, his longtime friend and business partner Kent McCray, and McCray's wife gathered in the upstairs bedroom.
McCray later said Landon asked them to leave him alone with Cindy shortly before he died. She stayed beside him until his death at about 1:20 p.m. on July 1.
A private farewell
Landon was cremated the day after his death. A private funeral followed at noon on Friday, July 5, 1991, at Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary in Los Angeles. The Deseret News reported that about 500 mourners attended, including former President Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy.
His ashes were interred at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California, where his "Bonanza" co-star Lorne Greene also rests. According to Wikipedia, Landon's resting place is a private family mausoleum. His headstone reads: "He seized life with joy. He gave to life generously. He leaves a legacy of love and laughter."
From movie roles to three long-running series
Before becoming a television star, Landon made his feature-film debut in the 1957 cult B-movie "I Was a Teenage Werewolf." His other early films included "High School Confidential!" and "God's Little Acre," both released in 1958, and "The Legend of Tom Dooley" in 1959.
That year, he began playing Little Joe Cartwright on "Bonanza," a role he would portray across 430 episodes over 14 years. Production ended in January 1973 following the unexpected death of Dan Blocker, who played Hoss Cartwright.
In fall 1974, Landon took on the role of Charles Ingalls in "Little House on the Prairie." His influence extended beyond acting: as a producer, writer and director, he helped shape the series through its end in fall 1983.
"Highway to Heaven" followed in 1984, with Landon playing Jonathan Smith, an emissary of God. According to Wikipedia, the series grew out of a promise he made while his daughter Cheryl was in a coma after a serious car crash: If she recovered, he would create something to help people. It was the only series he owned outright.
The show ended after his friend and longtime colleague Victor French died of lung cancer in June 1989. Across his career, Landon appeared on 22 TV Guide covers, a total exceeded only by Lucille Ball, according to Wikipedia.
The final project aired after his death
After nearly 35 years at NBC, Landon moved to CBS to develop "Us." It was intended to become his fourth consecutive television series and his first outside NBC, but the project never progressed beyond the pilot. It was his last work on camera.
Landon wrote, directed and executive-produced the two-hour pilot, also starring as Jeff Hayes. The character leaves prison after serving 18 years for the killing of a wealthy man's wife, a crime he did not commit.
CBS broadcast "Us" on September 20, 1991, two months after Landon's death, as a posthumous tribute, according to Wikipedia.
Children and grandchildren in entertainment
Three of Landon's four children with Lynn Noe pursued work in entertainment. Michael Landon Jr. wrote the screenplay for a 1999 film about his father's life. Christopher B. Landon's credits include screenwriting for "Paranormal Activity" and directing "Happy Death Day."
Leslie Landon acted alongside her father in "Little House on the Prairie," and her daughter Rachel Matthews also became an actress. Jennifer Landon, his daughter with Cindy Clerico, went on to join the cast of the Western series "Yellowstone."
