Michael Landon was a beloved actor, writer, director and producer best known for his roles in Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie, and Highway to Heaven. But did you know he was also a devoted father to his blended family of nine children? One of those children was Josh Fraser Landon, who Michael adopted as an infant with his first wife, Dodie Levy-Fraser.
In this article, we’ll uncover what we know about Josh’s life, from his childhood and upbringing to where he is today. Join us as we explore another branch of the famous Landon family tree.
Who Is Josh Fraser Landon?
Josh Fraser Landon was born in 1960 and adopted as an infant by Michael Landon and his first wife, Dodie Levy-Fraser. Josh was the couple’s second adopted child, joining older brother Mark Fraser Landon who was adopted in 1956.
Very little is known about Josh’s exact birthdate, biological parents, or the circumstances around his adoption. Michael Landon was a very private person when it came to his family life. He rarely spoke publicly about his children, preferring to keep them out of the Hollywood spotlight.
What we do know is that Josh grew up in a blended family as one of Michael’s nine children. Four of those children were adopted during Michael’s first marriage to Dodie: Mark, Josh, Jason (born 1961), and Shawna Leigh (born 1963). Michael later had three more children with second wife Lynn Noe and two with his third wife Cindy Clerico.
Childhood and Upbringing
Growing up as the son of a Hollywood star likely came with its unique joys and challenges for young Josh Fraser Landon. His father Michael rose to fame in 1959 playing Little Joe on the hit Western series Bonanza. The show filmed over 30 episodes per year, keeping Michael very busy during Josh’s early childhood years.
Still, Michael was known for being a hands-on, engaged father to all of his children despite his hectic filming schedule. He would often bring his kids to the set and let them hang out in his dressing room or appear as extras. At home, he loved playing board games and making home movies with the family.
In interviews, Michael expressed his strong belief in adoption and his gratitude for his blended brood of biological and adopted kids. “My family is my greatest accomplishment,” he once said. “I am so proud of all my children. They each have their unique gifts and I love them all dearly.” No doubt young Josh felt that fatherly love and pride growing up.
Influence Of His Father, Michael Landon
As the son of a famous actor, Josh Fraser Landon likely couldn’t help but be influenced by his father’s career in Hollywood. From a young age, Josh would have witnessed his dad’s incredible work ethic, creative talents, and star power firsthand.
Michael Landon wore many hats in the entertainment industry beyond just acting. He wrote, directed and produced many episodes of his hit shows, displaying an entrepreneurial spirit. His upbeat attitude, sense of humor and ability to tell heartwarming stories made him immensely popular with audiences.
Though Michael passed away from pancreatic cancer in 1991 when Josh was only 31, his legacy undoubtedly left a mark on his son. Michael’s emphasis on family, giving back, and following your dreams was instilled in all his children from an early age. Even if Josh did not pursue a career in the entertainment industry like his father, he would have absorbed many life lessons about hard work, creativity, and integrity from Michael’s example.
Education and Career Path
Without any public records or statements from Josh Fraser Landon himself, the details of his education and career path remain a mystery. It’s unknown whether he attended college or what field he pursued as an adult.
Some of Josh’s siblings ended up working in the entertainment industry like their famous father. His older brother Mark became an actor, appearing in shows like Bonanza: The Next Generation and Us. Younger sister Leslie Landon became an actress and therapist. Half-sister Jennifer Landon and half-brother Sean Landon from Michael’s marriage to Cindy Clerico also took up acting.
However, there are no acting credits listed for Josh Fraser Landon himself. It seems he may have taken a different career path outside of Hollywood. With Michael Landon’s emphasis on living a normal life out of the spotlight, it’s very possible Josh pursued a more private career away from show business.
But it’s clear that growing up in a high-profile family likely shaped his values and life choices in profound ways, even if he didn’t follow in his father’s famous footsteps.
Relationship with His Siblings
As one of nine children in a blended family, Josh Fraser Landon surely shared a special bond with his siblings growing up. His adopted brothers Mark and Jason were closest to him in age. Sister Shawna Leigh was adopted three years after Josh. Half-siblings Leslie, Michael Jr., Christopher, Jennifer and Sean joined the family in later years.
Large families can have their challenges, but the Landon kids seemed to form a tight-knit crew, especially as they dealt with the loss of their father Michael to cancer in 1991. In interviews, Josh’s siblings have described Michael as an incredibly devoted dad who put family above all else. That emphasis on familial bonds likely trickled down to how the siblings treated each other as well.
In a 2019 interview with Closer Weekly, Josh’s younger adopted sister Shawna Leigh opened up about what it was like to grow up in the Landon household. “We were very blessed to have the father we had,” she said. “The way he was with us as a father is the way he was with everybody. He was just a really genuine, kind, loving person.”
No doubt Josh shared many fun memories with his brothers and sisters, from family vacations to holidays to hanging out on their dad’s TV sets. As the siblings have grown up and started their own families, they’ve likely worked to carry on their father’s legacy of keeping family ties strong, even if they don’t all pursue the spotlight like he did.
Personal Life
As a private person, Josh Fraser Landon has kept his personal life largely out of the public eye. It’s unknown if he is married, has children, or where he currently resides.The Landon family has dealt with its share of heartbreak, from the loss of their beloved patriarch Michael to cancer in 1991, to the passing of Josh’s older adopted brother Mark in May 2009.
Just a year after Mark’s death, Josh’s half-brother Christopher also passed away in 2010. Losing a parent and two siblings within such a short time frame would be incredibly difficult for anyone. But the Landon family has always been resilient and tight-knit. They continue to honor the legacy of love and laughter that Michael Landon left behind.
In recent years, some of Josh’s siblings have given interviews about what their father instilled in them and how they strive to carry on his memory. But Josh himself has remained out of the spotlight, only adding to the mystery around his life. As a private citizen, he likely wants to keep his personal business out of the tabloids, just as his father worked hard to do for all his children.
Public Appearances and Media Presence
Unlike some of his siblings, Josh Fraser Landon has maintained a very low public profile as an adult. He does not appear to have any social media accounts, nor has he given any interviews about his late father or his experience growing up in the famous Landon family.
Josh’s older brother Mark and younger sister Leslie both spoke publicly at their father’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 1984. But there are no records of Josh ever appearing at any Hollywood events or giving any official media statements over the years.
The last time Josh’s name made a brief appearance in the news was upon the death of his older brother Mark in 2009. Media reports listed Josh as one of Mark’s surviving siblings. But otherwise, no photos or further details about Josh’s whereabouts were publicized.
It seems that Josh has worked hard to maintain his privacy despite his famous pedigree. While some celebrity children end up flocking to the spotlight, Josh has chosen to keep his personal and professional life out of the public sphere. In many ways, his low profile is a testament to how his father Michael tried to give his kids a normal upbringing despite his superstar status in Hollywood.
The Landon Family’s Legacy In Hollywood
The Landon family name is synonymous with Hollywood royalty. Patriarch Michael Landon earned legendary status for his work on Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie, and Highway to Heaven. But his legacy extends beyond his prolific body of work.
Michael was known in the industry for being a man of integrity who fought for what he believed in. He often pushed back against network execs to stand up for his creative vision. And he put his family above fame, working hard to give his children a stable home life despite the pressures of Hollywood.
Though Josh Fraser Landon did not choose a life in the entertainment industry, he is still very much part of his father’s legacy. Several of Josh’s siblings have followed in Michael’s footsteps as actors, writers, and producers. They continue to carry the Landon name in Hollywood.
Youngest daughter Jennifer Landon is a three-time Emmy Award winning actress known for her work on As the World Turns and Yellowstone. Daughter Leslie Landon appeared in Little House on the Prairie and is now a family therapist. Son Christopher Landon was a prolific writer and producer before his death in 2010.
Carrying on a famous family legacy can be a blessing and a burden. But the Landon children have seemed to find their own paths, with some choosing the spotlight and others, like Josh, opting for more private lives. The family remains bonded by Michael’s emphasis on the ties that bind and honoring loved ones.
Where Is Josh Fraser Landon Now?
Without any public sightings or statements in recent decades, Josh Fraser Landon’s current whereabouts remain a mystery. Respecting his fierce protection of his privacy, one can only speculate about where his path has taken him in adulthood.
Is he married with a family of his own? Did he settle near his siblings or choose a home base far from Hollywood? Has he followed some of his passions we may not be privy to? What lessons from his father has he carried into his own life and career?
These are all questions Josh likely wants to keep to himself as he navigates life outside of the Hollywood fishbowl he grew up in. Given the intense media scrutiny and public interest his family faced, his desire to live a quiet, normal life as Michael Landon’s son is understandable.
What we can glean is that the loss of his father to cancer in 1991 and two brothers in 2009 and 2010 undoubtedly had a profound impact on Josh. Losing close family members is never easy, but the Landons have always banded together in times of grief.
Perhaps Josh has found solace in privately carrying on his father’s legacy of integrity, laughter and love of family, even if he doesn’t make headlines for it. Michael Landon once said, “If you have a good family, it’s worth more than anything in the world.” No doubt Josh has taken that sentiment to heart in his own mysterious journey.
Though we may never know the details of the very private Josh Fraser Landon’s life now, we wish him well. As the son of a Hollywood legend who prioritized family above all, he is part of a special brotherhood that lives on, even out of the spotlight.