Here is one of my most valued interviews: one-on-one with Michael Landon, in his office in Culver City, Calif.
The conversation took place in March of 1991. As you'll hear, Landon is in top form: funny as hell, wise in terms of television and life.
What none of us knew at the time was that he had mere months to live.
On assignment for TV Guide Canada, I flew home to Toronto right after our talk. A few days later, the terrible news broke that Landon had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. By July 1, a little over four months later, the 54-year-old actor-writer-director-producer was dead.
Landon had the rare distinction of starring in three consecutive hit TV shows: Bonanza (1959-'73), Little House on the Prairie ( 1974-'82) and Highway to Heaven (1984-'89). He was shooting a fourth series, US, when I spoke with him, and when we got to Lorne Greene's horsemanship on Bonanza, he had me laughing out loud.
The conversation turns serious towards the end. We talk politics, and Landon voices his disgust at how polarized America had become. He also vents his frustration at political correctness. Landon didn't like where America was headed, and wanted his last series to speak to, "the people along the banks."
Hope you enjoy this visit with Michael Landon, coming to you straight "From The Vault."