My Genealogy Hound

Michael Landon, grave, crypt, or tomb, Hillside Memorial Park, Culver City, California, photos

The family crypt, tomb or grave site of Michael Landon, born as Eugene Maurice Orowitz on October 31, 1936 in the Forest Hills area of New York City. As one of the leading characters of three different highly popular television series, Landon was one of the most recognized and liked television stars of his era. Landon stated that he picked the stage name of Landon out of a phone book. After a several film roles in the 1950's, Landon's performance in I Was A Teenage Werewolf (1957) brought him notice and the opportunity of the role of Little Joe Cartwright in Bonanza from 1959 to 1974. He was 22 years old when the Bonanza series began. Never out of work, Landon next portrayed Charles Ingalls in The Little House on The Prairie series from 1974 to 1983. This was followed by the role of Jonathan Smith in the series, Highway to Heaven from 1984 to 1989. Not only was Landon an actor, he was also the writer, director and producer of many of the episodes of each of the three series.

In early 1991, it was determined that Landon had inoperable pancreatic cancer that had also spread into his liver and lymph nodes. Michael Landon died on July 1, 1991 at Malibu, California. He was 54 years old. Landon had been married three times and was the father nine children, three of which were adopted. The youngest two children were five and eight years old when Landon died. Landon's remains were entombed in a locked, glassed in room within the mausoleum at Hillside Memorial Park, Culver City, California. The photo above shows the room with name Landon on the back wall. The crypt of Michael Landon is on the right hand wall at the upper right of this photo where the nameplate on the crypt can be seen. At the lower right is a bench which holds various momentoes left by Landon family members. High on the wall at the left above the bench is a menorah. See the additional photos below for additional detail.

The name plate on the crypt of Michael Landon, reading:
October 31, 1936 - July 1, 1991
Devoted Husband
Father and Grandfather
He seized life with joy.
He gave to life generously.
He leaves a legacy of love and laughter.

A hand written note from his wife, tucked into the corner of the name plate reads:
L.I.F.E.
forever and always
We miss you!
Love Cindy, Jenny and Sean

The back wall of the crypt showing the name Landon on the wall, flower arangements on the floor, and the bench of family mementoes at the lower left. See the enlarged view below.

A bench of mementoes in the Landon family tomb or crypt. See the additional photo below.

A menorah high on the left hand wall above the bench reflects Landon's background and Jewish faith.