Michael Landon

Full Name: Eugene Maurice Orowitz
Profession: Actor and Filmmaker

Biography: Raised in Collingswood, New Jersey, Orowitz was a promising track and field athlete and won a scholarship to University of Southern California. A shoulder injury ending his sports career, and being in Hollywood he considered show business. He was discovered while working as gas station attendant near Warner Brothers Studios. His agent suggested a name change,

Early movie roles in "I Was a Teenage Werewolf" (1957), and "God's Little Acre" (1958) led to his being cast at age 22 in the landmark western television series "Bonanza" (1959-73) as "Little Joe Cartwright". This series allowed him to try his hand at screenwriting and directing.,

Two additional successful series followed - "Little House on the Prairie" (1974-82) and "Highway to Heaven" (1984-89), both of which he also produced.

He was married three times, and had nine children.

Born: October 31, 1936
Birthplace: Forest Hills, Queens, New York, USA

Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Rat
Star Sign: Scorpio

Died: July 1, 1991 (aged 54)
Cause of Death: Pancreatic Cancer