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Born on October 31, 1936, in New York City, Michael Landon had a very susccessful film and television career.
He appeared in the 1958 and 1959 films 'God's Little Acre' and 'The Legend of Tom Dooley', as well as in the TV shows 'Cheyenne' and 'The Restless Gun', apart from his most popular small-screen projects, 'Bonanza' and 'Little House on the Prairie'.
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Landon, who married three times and had nine children, admitted in multiple interviews to being a chain smoker, as well as a heavy drinker.
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In April 1991, Michael Landon was skiing in Utah when he experienced a severe headache. He was then taken to the hospital and three days later received a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
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At the time, doctors informed him that it was a particulary aggressive form of cancer, known as exocrine adenocarcinoma. It had begun to affect the blood vessels and tissues around his pancreas.
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Unfortunately, the 'Bonanza' star was told that his cancer was terminal and inoperable. After years of drinking and smoking, Landon tried to quit and admitted once that those habits were what caused his illness.
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In May 1991, the 'Little House on the Prairie' actor appeared on 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson', asking fans to pray for his health.
Twelve days later, he underwent successful surgery to treat a near-fatal blood clot in his leg.
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In June 1991, tired of seeing innacurate stories about his personal life in the tabloid press, he appeared on the cover of 'Life' magazine, granting the outlet an exclusive and private interview about his struggles and cancer battle.
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Sadly, Landon died on July 1, 1991, aged 54, in Malibu, California. The star passed away with wife Cindy Clerico by his side.
Landon was interred at Culver City, California's Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in a private mauseoleum.
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In a 2021 interview with 'People', Michael Landon's children Matthew and Leslie, reflected on her dad's death and legacy, 30 years after his passing.
Leslie highlighted the importance of early detection, encouraging the public to make some time for it. She said: "Because we knew how my dad was with his own health, we kids do the opposite. We're like, 'Something doesn't seem right, let's look into it.' Information is power and it allows you to make choices about your health when you know what you're dealing with. Fear tends to paralyze people."
As for Matthew, he praised his dad's contribution to the TV industry, which resulted in thousands of households enjoying his shows. He said: "I feel like the takeaway was loving one another and accepting people for who they are. I think he was very proud of the fact that he could bring families together to watch entertainment that was going to bring a wide range of emotions. I think he would be disappointed at how families today disengage from each other. He would tell people, 'Put your phone down. Sit around the dinner table and talk'."
Also known as "Little Joe Cartwright" in 'Bonanza', and as "Charles Ingalls" in 'Little House on the Prairie', Michael Landon was a very talented actor, whose career lasted over three decades.
The star passed away in 1991, following a devastating cancer diagnosis.
This is how he battled cancer.
