30th Anniversary of Michael Landon’s Passing…July 1, 1991… -- Bonanza: Scenery of the Ponderosa Forum

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Date Posted: 19:09:56 06/30/21 Wed
Author: Rick
Subject:

30th Anniversary of Michael Landon’s Passing…July 1, 1991…

It was on this day, 30 years ago that Michael Landon died at 1:30 PM on July 1, 1991 from pancreatic and liver cancer. He was 54. He was one of the most beloved actors in his time and a living legend. Truly, a great man and talent. To me, it was like losing my best friend. I was totally devastated by his death. I can still remember everything that happened since then. I grew up with him and he will always be my biggest inspiration. In the aftermath of his death, I got to know his closest friends and those who worked with him and many more. Ponderosa Scenery I dedicated in memory of Mike in 2000 when I published online.

Tragedy had struck the year before, when Susan Oliver died from lung cancer on May 10, 1990 at age 58 and on June 15, 1989, the death of Victor French from the same cause at age 54. He’d been hired to direct a film in Ireland in March of 1989 and fell sick, but didn’t know it. Upon return to LA, the doctors told him stage 4 lung cancer, too late. Two years later, after Victor’s death and during the aftermath of Mike’s death, I met and spoke with Stan Ivar and he told me what happened to Victor in September of 1991, when we were discussing it. Kent and Susan McCray were with him at the first live tribute in Sonora. I was working it and provided the BONANZA footage. No one else had it, just me. As a note, two years before Victor’s death, Lorne Greene died from prostate cancer at age 72 in LA on September 11, 1987. It was sad to see such a trail of tragedy strike them down.

The day Mike died really affected me; I had secured a rental home for two homeless women and children and on my way to Twain Harte Lodge to tell them the good news, I was so distraught, I almost crashed my car. When I got there, the TV set mounted on the wall was covering Mike’s death. I was working in a rock band, and had to work my way through that night, but made it.

Many people do not know who Michael Landon was or have never heard of him. I knew him well…he was the center of my life. I grew to love him and always will.

Rick

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[> Re: 30th Anniversary of Michael Landon’s Passing…July 1, 1991… -- Kathy (sad), 08:06:55 07/17/21 Sat [1]

Wow Rick I feel for you. We lost someone great that day. I often wonder if Lorne and Victors deaths had something to do with Mike getting sick. Bless you and thank you for all the Bonanza info. Best show ever.

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[> [> Re: 30th Anniversary of Michael Landon’s Passing…July 1, 1991… -- Rick, 20:00:23 07/19/21 Mon [1]

You’re welcome, Kathy. I don’t think the losses of them affected Mike in that way. You have to remember he drank a lot of alcohol and smoked too much. Although he quit smoking a few years before, he still drank daily. That was what he blamed it on. Alcohol will cause inflammation of the tissues which can lead to cancer. Tobacco can, too. His lungs pulled up congested, but normal in an x-ray the doctor took in June of 1989, right after Victor died that year. He was scared and had them checked. He was fine. Too much drinking caused it in 1991.

Rick

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