Michael Landon became a fixture of American television playing the character “Little Joe” on the hit series Bonanza. Landon, often found in the teen magazines of the day, received fan mail by the bag full from girls and young women alike from across the country. Born on October 31, 1936 in New York, Michael Landon’s birth-name was Eugene Orowitz. Knowing “Eugene Orowitz” was hardly a marquee signature; he looked through a telephone book and chose his new name, Michael Landon.
Landon was only 21 when he joined the cast of the hit series and quickly became a major star. Handsome and passionate, the youngest Cartwright was very popular with the ladies. His character was hotheaded, impulsive and somewhat troublesome. However, Little Joe’s intentions were always noble. Little Joe was a prankster and was at the center of most of the more humorous episodes.
Later, Landon would develop his writing skills and direct several of Bonanza’s most memorable episodes starting with “The Gamble,” as well as “The Wish.” He also directed the episodes “He Was Only Seven,” and “Forever,” a solemn two-part episode dedicated to the memory of Dan Blocker who played “Hoss”. Michael Landon appeared in all but fourteen Bonanza episodes, with the series running 14 seasons.
Lending to Michael Landon’s compassion and good heart, when Bonanza became a hit series, Landon financially supported his estranged mother and sister.