Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Meet Michael Landon’s Children: Who Are Adopted Among The 9 Kids?

What Michael Landon's Children's lives are like after dad's death
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

In this day and age, it’s quite a shocker to have more than five kids, but not in the situation of Michael Landon’s children. You see, the actor, who was best known for his role in “Little House on the Prairie,” married three times!

Michael Landon has charmed the audience for years. He had acted, directed, and worked as an executive producer, yet all of those things outshine his role as a father to his nine grown-up kids. Although he passed away at the age of 59 on July 1, 1991, his legacy still lives on to his nine children.

Mark

The first known child among Michale Landon’s known children is Mark. He was a child of Dodie Fraser from a previous marriage before Michael. Moreover, he’s the first adopted kid of the actor when he turned 12 years old. His biological mom and adopted dad got married on March 11, 1956. Mark followed Michael’s footsteps as he became an actor himself and took on different roles for films such as “Double Edge” in 1986, “Us” in 1991, and “Goodbye America” in 1997.

Josh and Jason

According to reports, Jason was not officially adopted by Dodie for some unknown reasons, but his name is still intact whenever people are talking about Michael Landon’s children. Josh was adopted by the family at the same time as Mark on February 11, 1960. The actor said in an interview that he didn’t want people calling Josh and Jason “adopted” because he hates that term on them. He treats them well and promised that he’s their father till death do them apart.

Leslie Ann

The first child of Michael Landon and Lynn Noe, the actor’s second wife. Like Mark, Leslie Ann became an actress and appeared in “Little House on the Prairie” with his father. She also had a role in “Father Murphy” in 1981 and three years later, “Little House: The Last Farewell.” She suffered from bulimia in her young adult years but had overcome the illness and even used her experience as fuel for a Ph.D. in psychology at the University of Southern California. After achieving the degree and title, she has become a family therapist.

Michael Graham

He’s two years younger than Leslie Ann and was born to the same parents. Michael Jr., as he is known, became a director and producer with a popular filmography, “Jamaa” in 2011. He also made a television film called “When Calls The Heart” and made a series of the same story in 2014. Before making it big behind the cameras, Michael Graham acted on stage, appearing in “Little House on the Prairie,” “Superboy,” and “Bonanza: Under Attack.” He married his wife Sharee Gregory in December 1987 and bore three children named Ashley, Brittany, and Austin.

Shawna Leigh

Born in December 1971, she became an actress and starred in the 1991 film “Michael Landon: Memories with Laughter and Love” and “Little House on the Prairie” too. However, she later switched careers and became a successful real estate sales agent in Malibu, California. She’s also a mother of two and quite active in social media.

Christopher Beau

Christopher is the youngest child of Michael Landon to Lynn Noe. He was born on February 27, 1975, and set his eyes on the entertainment industry. After graduating from Loyola Marymount University, he became a writer and producer. Christopher’s first works include Larry Clark’s “Another Day in Paradise” and “Blood and Chocolate.” But his biggest break happened when he wrote the script of “Disturbia.” This script was born when he moved from Los Angeles to Austin, Texas.

“Disturbia” was signed by Montecito Pictures, and Dreamworks brought it to the big screen, racking up almost $80 million domestically and staying at No. 1 for three weeks. With his success, Christopher thought it was time to come out of the closet and came out as gay when he was 24. His other works include the 2014 movie “Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones,” 2015 “Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse” and 2019 “Happy Death Day.”

Jennifer Rachel

On August 29, 1983, the first baby of Michael Landon with his third wife, Cindy Clerico, was born. Their relationship broke up the former’s eighteen-year marriage to Lynn Noe. At the age of five, Jennifer got her first acting role in “Highway To Heaven” with her father. It looks like she also caught the acting bug and set on to study drama at NYU. She then made friends there, and one of them knows a manager in Lionsgate. Jennifer got introduced and got an acting job straight away.

Jennifer got a role in “As The World Turns” as Gwen Norbeck and also starred in “House M.D.” and “Animal Kingdom” in 2016. Her fondest memories with the late Michael Landon were when they went on a ski trip together.

Sean Matthew

Sean and Jennifer are advocates of Pancreatic cancer, and they help in the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to raise research funds and create awareness. Currently, Sean Matthew is a successful real estate sales agent in Malibu, California. There is not much information online about him as he’s a private person, but people can still stalk his social media account through his mom and sisters.

Cheryl Ann Pontrelli

Cheryl was only nine years old when her mother married Michael Landon. The latter then took her in as his own and became the best step-father for her. Their closeness and unconditional love were evident when Cheryl changed her last name to that of Michael and wrote a book entitled “I Promised My Dad,” which honors the late actor.

Michael Landon’s children still honor to this day their late father. Although they are a lot, the sons and daughters of the late actor still make sure to commemorate him on his death anniversary.

Latest Stories

Vince Gill and Patty Loveless Honor a Classic With "After the Fire Is Gone"

Vince Gill and Patty Loveless Honor a Classic With “After the Fire Is Gone”

In 2015, Vince Gill and Patty Loveless graced the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame stage with a performance that remains etched in the hearts of country music fans. Their ...

George Strait and Grandson Harvey's Emotional "God and Country Music" Performance

George Strait and Grandson Harvey’s Emotional “God and Country Music” Performance

In 2019, George Strait reminded fans why he’s called the King of Country when he released “God and Country Music” as part of his album Honky Tonk Time Machine. The ...

Kelly Clarkson's "Here's A Quarter" Cover Brings New Life to a Classic

Kelly Clarkson’s “Here’s A Quarter” Cover Brings New Life to a Classic

Kelly Clarkson has a knack for turning iconic songs into showstoppers, and her take on Travis Tritt’s fiery anthem, “Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares),” is no exception. During ...

Kelly Clarkson's Stunning Cover of “Smoky Mountain Rain” Showcases Her Country Roots

Kelly Clarkson’s Stunning Cover of “Smoky Mountain Rain” Showcases Her Country Roots

Kelly Clarkson’s Kellyoke performances have given fans countless memorable moments. Still, her heartfelt rendition of Ronnie Milsap’s “Smoky Mountain Rain,” aired on The Kelly Clarkson Show on June 1, 2022, ...

Alan Jackson and Hank Jr. Bring "The Blues Man" to Life With Unforgettable Duet

Alan Jackson and Hank Jr. Bring “The Blues Man” to Life With Unforgettable Duet

There are moments in country music that feel like they were destined to happen—moments when two titans of the genre come together to remind the world why country music remains ...

This Teen's Take on 'Folsom Prison Blues' Feels Like a Johnny Cash Revival

This Teen’s Take on ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ Feels Like a Johnny Cash Revival

There’s something electrifying about a young performer bringing a legend’s music to life. At just 14 years old, Haavard Nilsen didn’t just perform Johnny Cash’s classic “Folsom Prison Blues”—he embodied ...

Lorrie Morgan's Dramatic Take on the Classic "A Picture of Me (Without You)"

Lorrie Morgan’s Dramatic Take on the Classic “A Picture of Me (Without You)”

When it comes to heartbreak anthems, few songs hit as hard as “A Picture of Me (Without You).” Originally recorded by George Jones in 1972, the song is a country ...

Four-Year-Old Braydon's Precious Cover of "As Soon as I Hang Up the Phone" Will Melt Your Heart

Four-Year-Old Braydon’s Precious Cover of “As Soon as I Hang Up the Phone” Will Melt Your Heart

In country music, legends like Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty have given us timeless classics that continue to resonate across generations. But in 2014, one pint-sized performer brought fresh life ...

Young Scotty McCreery's Emotional Take on "The Dance" Wows the Opry Crowd

Young Scotty McCreery’s Emotional Take on “The Dance” Wows the Opry Crowd

Few country artists would dare to cover a song as iconic as Garth Brooks’ “The Dance.” Its legacy as a heartfelt anthem of love, loss, and life’s unpredictability has cemented ...

Ben and Noel Haggard Honor Merle Haggard With Heartfelt Tribute Performances

Ben and Noel Haggard Honor Merle Haggard With Heartfelt Tribute Performances

When it comes to the greats of country music, Merle Haggard stands tall among the legends. Dubbed “the Poet of the Common Man,” Merle’s songs captured everyday people’s struggles, triumphs, ...