Michael Landon Wasn’t The Actor’s Real Name
Many actors, when joining The Screen Actors Guild, also known as the acting union, must choose stage names if their given name is already taken. Michael Landon was actually born Eugene Maurice Orowitz. However, he did not want to use that as his stage name. When he joined the union, he wanted to go by Michael Lane. However, to his dismay, that name was already taken. He had to start thinking of a new name.
He decided to browse through the phone book. He came across a name that he liked, Alf Landon. Shortly after, the name Michael Landon was chosen.
They Always Wore The Same Clothes
If you are a die-hard “Bonanza” fan, then you may have seen that the people on the show are always wearing the same exact thing. They have never changed clothes! Yes, during all 400 plus episodes the cast wore the same thing!
“Bonanza” was one of the most expensive TV shows during that time period, they had a seemingly massive budget, but they still needed to find ways to cut costs. By having the characters never change their clothes, the production team could lower some of the production costs by subbing in different stock footage when they were able to make it work.
Michael Landon as Little Joe Cartwright
Michael Landon was a man of many talents. He was an actor, a writer, a director and even a producer. On the show “Bonanza”, he played the character Little Joe, who was the youngest of the sons.
He really hit it big with “Bonanza” - prior to landing this role, he had some bit parts in other shows and films, but nothing like his starring role as Little Joe! He was also well known for his role on Little House on the Prairie. Sadly, his career was cut short, as Landon died at the young age of 54, in 1991, after battling cancer.
A Cast Of Many Talents
The actors in “Bonanza” were all very talented. They were all, of course, talented actors, but did you know that these actors could sing well, too? Four of the actors in the Cartwright family were singers on the Christmas album released in 1964. Additionally, not only were the cast members musically talented, the theme song for the show “Bonanza” also became a hit song!
Lorne Greene had even more success as a musician aside from the Christmas album. He released his own single, entitled “Ringo”. This single became a massive hit in both the United States and his homeland, Canada.
Pernell Roberts as Adam Cartwright
Pernell Roberts Jr. was another actor and singer who had a role on “Bonanza”. He was the character Adam Cartwright, who was also the eldest son of the family. He left the cast of “Bonanza” after 6 years to pursue other opportunities. After leaving the show, he appeared on tons of other shows. Bonanza was not his only claim to fame. Pernell also had roles in over 60 TV shows! And, he also dabbled in theater.
In 1990, Pernell retired. Sadly, he died at the age of 81, in 2010, from cancer, but left behind a long and impressive career.