Michael Landon (October 31, 1936 – July 1, 1991) was an American actor, writer, director (television director), and producer (Television producer), who starred in three popular NBC TV series that spanned three decades. He is widely known for his roles as Little Joe Cartwright (Little Joe (character)) in Bonanza (1959-1973), Charles Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie (Little House on the Prairie (TV series)) (1974-1983), and Jonathan Smith in Highway to Heaven (1984-1989). Landon appeared on the cover of TV Guide twenty two times, second only to Lucille Ball (TV Guide, July 10, 1991). His twenty-eight years of full-hour television acting surpasses that of TV legends Lucille Ball and James Arness.

Landon produced, wrote, and directed many of his series episodes, including his shortest-lived production, Father Murphy, which starred his friend and "Little House" co-star Merlin Olsen. In 1981, Landon won recognition for his screenwriting with a Spur Award from the Western Writers of America. Although his youngest daughter Jennifer Landon and Bonanza co-star David Canary, have both won multiple Emmys, Michael Landon was never given the honor. In 1976 Landon wrote and directed an auto-biographical movie, The Loneliest Runner, and was nominated for two Emmys. He also hosted the annual long-running coverage of the Tournament of Roses Parade with Kelly Lange, also on NBC.