What Michael Means To Us

From his early performances where he was so cute and boy like and his Bonanza days as Little Joe where he grew before our eyes, through to the special messages he gave in his Little House on the Prairie and Highway to Heaven episodes Michael has always been a positive influence on me.

I feel his spirit is often with me in my life. I sometimes listen to Michael singing Shenandoah and feel he is there. I can look up at the sky at night and see one star that is brighter than all the rest ...to me that is him looking down. He was a very special man who will be in my heart, forever.

Jenny D (Australia)

Mike and I

It seems as if Mike has been in my life for almost all of my whole life. When I was approximately 10 years old, my grandparents lived with us, and my grandfather and I watched all the westerns that filled the 1960s television airwaves. On Saturday nights, we watched Gunsmoke, and on Sunday nights, we watched  a slightly newer western called Bonanza. I hadn’t really paid too much attention until an episode called My Brother’s Keeper aired in the fourth season, and the needle on my pre-adolescent “crush-meter” went full-tilt. Yes, Little Joe Cartwright, writhing in pain so exquisitely from a wolf bite, had grabbed my attention and things would never be the same. There was just something about him that spoiled me for any other TV man for all time to come. It certainly was his handsome face, with those eyebrows that had a life of their own. I think the curly hair might have contributed, also. Handsome as he was, he was equally as deep emotionally, and had his own hidden scars, which he drew upon in his work. I never tire of learning new things about him………I am endlessly fascinated by him.

Debbiejo (USA)

I honestly can’t remember a time that Michael Landon wasn’t a part of my life. I grew up watching Bonanza – it was required viewing in our household – and although I was probably more interested in the horses at that time, there was never any doubt that Little Joe Cartwright was my favourite!

Later, I was a huge fan of Little House on the Prairie, although I didn’t immediately connect Charles Ingalls with Little Joe! Oh, the innocence of childhood. But I loved that series and even as an adult find it a joy to watch. Michael certainly knew what he was doing when he created that series.

As a young married woman, I fell in love with him all over again as the angel Jonathan Smith in Highway to Heaven. Other actors had come and gone, but I had been watching Mike for decades and loved everything he ever did.

The day he died, I was shaken rigid. I was stunned – how could he be gone while still so young?

Fortunately for us, thanks to the magic of DVDs and video, Mike will live forever and he is, if anything, more dear to me than ever.

Rona Y (Scotland)

I really couldn’t say why I’ve stayed faithful to Michael, through all these years. There are times when I watch him on screen and cringe with embarrassment, there are other times when I wonder at his expressiveness, and yes, his beauty. I only know that when he is on screen I only watch him and what he’s doing. Other people talk of Pernell’s long eyelashes, Lorne’s toupee, I’ve not seen them, I only watch Michael. While others around me were swooning over the Beatles and whoever was the latest heartthrob, I was still thinking of Michael. Years would go by and he wouldn’t be featured in anything, I would scan the papers every day to see if there was something with him on the television. Of course now I can watch him as many times as I want to with the advent of recorders, DVD.

When he died all desire to visit America left me, he wasn’t there anymore, what was the point. I did go, eventually; but it was to see his grave and not hopefully catch a glimpse of this man who has invaded my life and my thoughts for 48 years.

The picture wasn’t signed for me unfortunately, but he touched it, and that’s all that matters.

Pat  W (France)

Michael Landon “The Man”:   I have watched him, I have listened to him and I have read about him.  Yet I feel I know so little about him.

Michael Landon “The Actor”:  I have been moved by him, I have adored him and I have laughed and cried with him, yet I never got enough of him.

Michael Landon “The Creator”:  His writing has deeply touched my feelings and emotions.  At times it has made me question, examine and review my life, my family and myself, yet I feel he had so much more to write for us.

I guess that one of the things I admire most in Michael Landon, is that he believed in himself.  That belief, gave him the willpower, determination and confidence to overcome any barriers and achieve his goals and his dreams.  He lived his life his way, making his own judgements and sometimes paying for the consequences.  In a lot of cases these experiences inspired and influenced his imagination and unleashed his creativity into written form.

Thank you Michael …. In my dreams you are still my hero……!!

Elizabeth C (Australia)

Chrissa B

An Ode To Michael

It is so hard to describe the emotions that I feel

I think about you constantly, to me you are so real

It's not just about your body or the beauty of your face

To me it is the inner you on which I contemplate.

You gave us all such happiness as you went about your day

Never claiming to be perfect, sometimes you lost your way

But all the time were striving to be a better man

Caring for the underdog, giving a helping hand.

There are those that try to knock you; put a blemish on your name

I guess that's part of the territory that goes along with fame

But from all I've read that's written, from those who knew you well

You loved life and people and of that they're proud to tell.

As a father of so many, your love was always true

And the little kid inside you continued to shine through

Your laughter and your smile is the memory that I hold

And certainly when God made you he must have broke the mould.

You were a cowboy, a father, an angel and a man

And I just wanted to pay tribute in the only way I can

So let's keep this day special and say a little prayer

For Michael, rest easy, from all of us that care.

1st July 2005

Territell (England)