Hal Landon Jr.
Hal Landon Jr. is an American actor who played Joe Cartwright in "Bonanza".
Movie Actor
May 23, 1941
83
Hal Landon Jr., an American actor known for his stage work, is a founding member of the South Coast Repertory and a resident artist there since its inception. He has starred in numerous productions, including “A Christmas Carol,” “Death of a Salesman,” and “The Taming of the Shrew.” Other notable works include “The Artist,” “Eagle Eye,” and “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.” Landon has been nominated for several awards, including the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award.
Born into a show business family, Landon Jr. began his acting career in the late 1940s, appearing in films like “The Red Pony” and “The Heiress.” He gained recognition for his role as “Duke Shannon” in the TV series “The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin” (1954-1959). With over 100 film and TV credits, he starred in “The Magnificent Seven” (1960), “The Great Escape” (1963), and “The Dirty Dozen” (1967). He also had a successful voice acting career, contributing to animated works like “The Jungle Book” (1967), “The Aristocats” (1970), and “The Smurfs” (1981-1989).
Landon Jr. received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 and was inducted into the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s Hall of Great Western Performers in 2001. He was married to actress Joanne Dru from 1950 to 1953 and had two children. Sadly, he passed away on September 1, 2019, at the age of 91.
Beyond acting, Landon Jr. was a skilled horseman, often performing his own stunts. He was also an accomplished singer, releasing several albums. He expanded his talents by working as a producer and director.
