It is not often I am intrigued by a television show, much less an actor. I can only think of a few over the decades. But, as of recent, I have another that has caught my attention.
You may remember the late, Michael Landon, (Eugene Maurice Orowitz). Some folks remember him for playing little Joe Cartwright, in Bonanza; or Charles Ingells, in Little House on the Prairie. He even had a brief singing career as a teen idol and helped to propel the Bonanza Steak house venture.
I did not follow his career during Landon's living years, but over the last six months have been watching his work in Highway to Heaven. The hour long show originally aired from 1984 - 1989. Landon starred as Jonathan Smith, a probationary angel, who was sent back to earth to do good and earn his wings. He also directed and wrote many of the scripts. Co-staring with Landon was Victor French, as Mark Gordon.
That opening music intro with a lone trumpet and empty highway gets me every time. The show is full of family values and emotion, and was considered old fashioned for the 1980'S. Yet, the audience loved it.
It is often the case, that shows and movies may have an oddity or even a curse. Such is the case here. We find three odd deaths connected with Highway to Heaven.
First, Victor French died in 1989 at the age of 54 from cancer, barely finishing the last season. Next, we find Michael Landon passing away in 1991, also at age 54 and from cancer, (pancreatic). Finally, actor, James Troesh, who played Scotty, a paraplegic lawyer, died at age 54 in 2011. In real life he was a paraplegic. Outside of Landon and French, Troesh was featured in the most episodes (Seven) on the show.
It makes me wonder why there was a curse like this to the show? Was God not pleased? Did Landon not earn his wings?
But there was another side to Landon. Yes, he smoked and drank and was married four times. But all that aside, he was a family man and loved children. He had nine children of his own and often featured children in his television endeavors. He strived to impact the faces of tomorrow with laughter and love.
I can think of one episode where he featured children who were suffering from cancer. It seemed he always encouraged the underdog in life. Perhaps, it was his own emotional hell with his mother when he was young, that encouraged Landon to to charter a different course and help children, instilling positive energy and memories.
I truly believe Landon was a friend of family and children. Had he lived, I also think he would have taken a stand against child trafficking and the CPS. Having a large family, he understood the value of a strong family.
Families are like the branches of a tree. A strong, tight knit family will be fruitful and multiple, making it much harder to sever that branch from the tree. Thus there is a real importance to having many children and being tight knit. Being active and vibrant, ensures that the family branch cannot be broken.
In this day and age of child trafficking and theft by the CPS, we need more committed, large families to set the example of true child protection. Cubs are never bothered when they are with the pack. So too, the family. Large families are more insulated from theft by the CPS. Where are the Michael Landon's out there... the family oriented type, who will take the lead and set the example? Are you one?
You need not be an actor or an angel, just willing to take action, through protecting children and families.
Dear @enjoywithtroy, we need your help!
The Hivebuzz proposal already got important support from the community. However, it lost its funding a few days ago and only needs a few more HP to get funded again.
May we ask you to support it so our team can continue its work this year?
You can do it on Peakd, ecency,
https://peakd.com/me/proposals/199
Your support would be really helpful and you could make a difference.
Thank you!