<P> Michael Landon ( born Eugene Maurice Orowitz ; October 31 , 1936 -- July 1 , 1991 ) was an American actor , writer , director , and producer . He is known for his roles as Little Joe Cartwright in Bonanza ( 1959 -- 73 ) , Charles Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie ( 1974 -- 83 ) , and Jonathan Smith in Highway to Heaven ( 1984 -- 89 ) . Landon appeared on the cover of TV Guide 22 times , second only to Lucille Ball . </P>
<P> Michael Landon ( born Eugene Maurice Orowitz ; October 31 , 1936 -- July 1 , 1991 ) was an American actor , writer , director , and producer . He is known for his roles as Little Joe Cartwright in Bonanza ( 1959 -- 73 ) , Charles Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie ( 1974 -- 83 ) , and Jonathan Smith in Highway to Heaven ( 1984 -- 89 ) . Landon appeared on the cover of TV Guide 22 times , second only to Lucille Ball . </P>
who played charles on little house on the prairie
who played charles on little house on the prairie
Michael Landon
Michael Landon