Hidden Secrets From Behind the Scenes of Bonanza

5. Westerns run in the family

Many of the Bonanza actors’ families carried the love of Westerns. The Landon family has appeared in a number of Westerns after Michael Landon made his name on Bonanza. Of his nine kids, several had small roles in Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie. Michael Landon Jr. wrote for When Calls the Heart, a long-running Western, while Jen Landon recently became a fan favorite by playing Teeter in the modern Western, Yellowstone.

The Russell family also made many Western appearances. Bing played Clem Foster on Bonanza and starred in several other works in the genre. His son, Kurt Russell, has many Westerns on his resume, including The Hateful Eight and Bone Tomahawk. Even Wyatt Russel, Bing’s grandson, carries the legacy by starring in Cowboys & Aliens and The Good Lord Bird.