How Many Kids Did Michael Landon Have? The Real Story Behind His Nine Children

Michael Landon wasn’t just the face of "wholesome America" for three decades. While he played the ultimate father figure as Charles Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie, his real life was a lot more complicated—and crowded. If you’re wondering exactly how many kids did Michael Landon have, the answer is nine.

Nine kids. Three marriages. It’s a lot to keep track of, especially since Landon didn't just have biological children; he was a fierce advocate for adoption and blended families long before it was "trendy" in Hollywood.

But who are they? And did they actually get along? Honestly, the history of the Landon brood is a mix of show-biz success, tragic loss, and a few kids who wanted absolutely nothing to do with the spotlight.

The First Marriage: Dodie Levy-Fraser and the Adopted Sons

In 1956, before he was a household name, Landon married Dodie Levy-Fraser. She was a legal secretary, and she already had a son, Mark. Landon didn't hesitate; he adopted Mark immediately.

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• Mark Fraser Landon: Born in 1948, Mark actually followed his dad into acting for a bit. He had a role in the 1991 film Us, which Michael directed just before he died. Sadly, Mark passed away in 2009 at the age of 60.
• Josh Fraser Landon: The couple later adopted Josh as an infant. Unlike his famous father, Josh has kept a very low profile. Landon was once quoted saying he hated the term "adopted," insisting, "They’re my sons—period."

There was also a third child, Jason, whom the couple briefly took in, but after the divorce, he was reportedly raised by another family. It’s one of those messy details from the early years that rarely makes the "official" highlight reels.

The Longest Run: Lynn Noe and the "Little House" Era

Landon’s second marriage to Marjorie Lynn Noe lasted nearly twenty years (1963–1982). This is the era most fans remember because it coincided with his peak fame on Bonanza and Little House.

With Lynn, the count grew significantly. He adopted her daughter, Cheryl Lynn Landon, who survived a horrific car accident in the 70s—a tragedy that deeply affected Michael. Then came the biological children:

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1. Leslie Ann Landon: Fans might recognize her as Etta Plum on Little House. She eventually left acting to become a clinical psychologist.
2. Michael Landon Jr.: He’s a massive name in the industry now, specifically as the creator of When Calls the Heart.
3. Shawna Leigh Landon: She did some acting as a kid but transitioned into a successful career in real estate.
4. Christopher Beau Landon: If you like horror movies like Happy Death Day or Freaky, you know his work. He’s a powerhouse director and screenwriter.

The Final Chapter: Cindy Clerico and the Youngest Two

When Michael fell for Cindy Clerico, a makeup artist on the Little House set, it caused a massive scandal. People were shocked. He was the "family man" of TV, yet he was leaving his wife of 19 years for a younger woman.

Regardless of the gossip, that marriage lasted until his death in 1991. They had two children together:

Jennifer Rachel Landon followed the family path into acting. She’s won multiple Emmys for her soap opera work and currently plays the fan-favorite character Teeter on Yellowstone. Sean Matthew Landon, the youngest, was only four when his father died. He stayed out of Hollywood and became a luxury real estate agent in Malibu.

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Why It Matters Today

Michael Landon's legacy isn't just about the number of children he had; it’s about how he defined "family." He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April 1991 and died just three months later at age 54.

At his final public appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, he joked that nine kids were "plenty to remember him by."

If you're looking to understand the man behind the pioneer, looking at his kids is a good start. They range from horror directors to psychologists to ranch hands on TV. It’s a wild, diverse legacy that proves "Pa Ingalls" was a lot more human than the scripts suggested.

Moving Forward with the Landon Legacy

If you want to keep up with what the family is doing now, checking out Jennifer Landon's work on Yellowstone is the best way to see the Landon "spark" in action. Also, if you’re a fan of family dramas, Michael Landon Jr.’s productions on Hallmark carry the exact same spirit his father championed in the 70s.

You can also support the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, an organization many of the Landon siblings still work with today to honor their father's memory.