Little House on the Prairie cast: Then and now

Michael Landon not only starred in Little House on the Prairie, he also directed and wrote episodes of the show.

After he left the series, which launched a spin-off show, he starred as angel Jonathan Smith in Highway to Heaven from 1984 to 1989.

He followed that up with the TV movie Where Pigeons Go to Die, which he co-wrote, in 1990 and a TV pilot called Us in 1991.

Us was meant to be his next big TV series but was turned into a TV movie after Landon's death.

Sadly, Landon passed away in 1991 aged 54 just three months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

The TV icon's legacy lives on in his nine children, several of whom are also in the film and TV industry.

Son Michael Landon Jr is a director and writer on the popular Hallmark series When Calls the Heart and directed the 1999 biographical drama Michael Landon, the Father I Knew about growing up as the son of the TV star.

"I make films that honour my dad's legacy and I focus on the importance of family entertainment," he told PanCan in a tribute to his father.

Christopher Landon is also a director, producer and writer on the hit horror films Happy Death Day, Happy Death Day 2U and Freaky.

Daughter Jennifer is an actress and recently wrapped up her role as Teeter on the blockbuster drama Yellowstone.