Melissa Gilbert pays tribute to her Little House on the Prairie co-star Michael Landon, 34 years after his death
On Tuesday, July 1st, Gilbert reposted an Instagram carousel photo that featured glimpses into Landon's life, including a behind-the-scenes image of the Little House set where the two of them worked together. "Wow.". 34. Unbelievable," Gilbert, 61, wrote in the caption. She also had a message for Landon's family and said she was "thinking of and sending all my love" to his nine children: Mark, Josh, Cheryl, Leslie, Michael Jr., Shawna, Christopher, Jennifer, and Sean.
The post originated at the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to commemorate the anniversary of July 1, 1991, when Landon died. The group stated that Landon was the first public figure to make a public announcement about pancreatic cancer, drawing national publicity to the disease.
"He wasn't just an icon of Hollywood — he was a father, a storyteller, a dreamer," the group explained. "And on the anniversary of his death, his family tells us how they keep his legacy alive."
The post featured thoughts from some of Landon's kids. Shawna Landon said she still passes on his values: "I instill some of his strong beliefs in my children – to work hard, be a good human being and live each day to the fullest."
Michael Landon Jr. highlighted that storytelling is an integral aspect of paying tribute to his father's legacy, and he has stated, "I love to create stories that honor my dad's legacy, emphasizing the importance of family and community."
Leslie Landon Matthews also remembered her father's kindness and warmth. "My Dad was a very loving and affectionate man; he had a wonderful sense of humor and laughter always had a high priority in our household," she explained. "He took time to improve the lives of others and never was too busy to assist those in need.
Landon, who played Charles Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie, was also the show's producer and directed numerous episodes. He passed away on July 1, 1991, at age 54 — three months after revealing that he had cancer.
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