Michael Landon's son found dead in West Hollywood
The son of "Bonanza" and "Little House on the Prarie" actor Michael Landon was found dead inside his West Hollywood home this afternoon, authorities said.
Mark Landon, 60, was found about noon in the 1300 block of Sweetzer Avenue.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident, but a spokeswoman said there was no evidence of foul play.
Michael Landon died in 1991 of cancer.
--Richard Winton
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Mark Fraser Landon, adopted son of Michael Landon, was born October 1, 1951. He was 50 years old, not 60.
Posted by: Mark Heimback-Nielsen | May 11, 2009 at 06:05 PM
Wrong age! He was born in 1958, which made him 51 years old, NOT 60! Please proofread carefully.
Posted by: Megan | May 11, 2009 at 06:10 PM
How can the son of Michael Landon be "60" years old????
Posted by: Strange | May 11, 2009 at 06:11 PM
Surely he was 50 and not 60? Michael Landon was born in 1936...
Posted by: meg | May 11, 2009 at 06:26 PM
AP must have his age wrong, unless Michael Landon adopted him when he was 12. IMDB has him born in 1958, which would make him 51.
Posted by: Jason | May 11, 2009 at 08:22 PM
According to reports, Mark was not Michael's biological son. Michael adopted Mark, who was the son of Michael's first wife, Dodie.
Michael was 19 when he and Dodie wed.
Mark was 7 years old at the time.
Posted by: Yvette Gibson | May 11, 2009 at 09:18 PM
The son was adopted when he married in 1956 and he was born 1948. He was the biological son of Michael Landon's first wife Dodie Levy-Fraser (obviously she was older than Michael Landon probably (6-10 years older). They where married in 1956 when he would be around 8 and Michael was 20. Michael was born in 1936. If she had him at age 18 , that would make her born around 1930 (6 or so years older than Michael).
Posted by: brian | May 11, 2009 at 09:30 PM
Mark Landon was born in 1948 - which makes him 60 years old by now. He was 12 years younger than his step-father.
Posted by: divawildcat | May 11, 2009 at 10:24 PM
I believe Mark was 50, or around there. I had many conversations with him at Highland Ground on Highland Ave. a few years ago. I think he was a writer.
Posted by: venicementor | May 11, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Mark Landon was ADOPTED by Michael Landon.. It was stated in the news article about landon's death!!
Michael Landon's eldest son dead at 60
2 hours ago
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Mark Landon, an actor and eldest son of "Little House on the Prairie" star Michael Landon, was found dead Monday at his home. He was 60.
The cause of death was not immediately clear but there was no evidence of foul play, said Sgt. David Infante of the Los Angeles County sheriff's office.
Mark Landon, among Michael Landon's nine children, appeared in three movies, including "Us" — a CBS television movie written and directed by his father in 1991 just before he died of cancer at age 54. The film was a pilot intended to be another series for Michael Landon. It aired a few months after his death.
Michael Landon also starred in such shows as "Bonanza" and "Highway to Heaven." He adopted Mark Landon after marrying his mother, Dodie Levy-Fraser, in 1956.
Posted by: Vickie | May 12, 2009 at 12:56 AM
If he was born in October of 1951, that would make him 57. Do the math
Posted by: Paul | May 12, 2009 at 01:34 AM
Sixty could be correct if KTLA is right: "The 60-year old Landon was adopted in 1956 at the age of 7 by Michael Landon and his then wife Dodie Levy-Fraser."
Posted by: Michael | May 12, 2009 at 05:23 AM
He died at the age of 57. So sad.
Posted by: Deb | May 12, 2009 at 06:32 AM
Wiki has him at 1948 also. But Kinda thought the age thing was wrong too. 12 years old is crazy...
Posted by: me | May 12, 2009 at 07:27 AM
Age is not the story here, the fact the he has died is!!!! Some people have way to much time on their hands
Posted by: Candy Cane | May 12, 2009 at 07:35 AM
I only saw Mark a few weeks ago when I tuned his piano(which I had done about three times previously). He told me this last time he had MS. He also said he was 60. I'm saddened to hear about this.
Posted by: Kwixotic | May 12, 2009 at 07:55 AM
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mark Landon.. We pray that his soul will rest in peace.. He will surely be missed..
Posted by: News Review | May 12, 2009 at 08:04 AM
Mark Landon WAS 60 years old ! He was the biological son of Dodie Levy-Fraser and he was born in 1948. Dodie married her 2nd husband, Michael Landon, in 1956 when he was 19 and she was approx. 25-26. ML subsequently adopted Mark. These are the facts ! I am a long-time (40+ year) Michael Landon fan and know what I am talking about.
Posted by: debbiejo | May 12, 2009 at 12:04 PM
I love michael landon but he seems to have adopted children and left then out of his will? But Lynn should of known what goes around comes around. He was married and had an affair with her, and with her he had an affair with cindy.
Posted by: lori woodward | September 11, 2009 at 01:27 PM