From Teeter to tears—how growing up with a TV legend shaped one of Yellowstone’s breakout stars

A Legacy Written in Westerns

Jennifer Landon may be best known today for her gritty performance as Teeter on Yellowstone, but acting is truly in her blood. The Emmy-winning soap alum—who’s also appeared in The Young and the Restless and Animal Kingdom—is the daughter of none other than TV icon Michael Landon.

Best remembered for Little House on the Prairie and Bonanza, Michael Landon left behind not just a legacy of legendary roles, but a daughter who continues to carry his spirit in Hollywood.

Losing Her Father Too Soon

Jennifer was only seven when Michael Landon tragically passed away from liver and pancreatic cancer in 1991. The pain of losing him at such a young age never fully faded.

In a 2005 interview with People, she remembered the emotional shock of being asked to say goodbye to her father. “I cried when they did that,” she said. “I was like, ‘No, I don’t want to! I don’t want to.’” That moment still echoes in her heart.

A Father Known for Laughter

But Jennifer also holds onto the joy. In 2017, she shared with Smashing Interviews Magazine what Michael was really like at home.

“He was incredibly fun and very funny,” she said. “I had a lot of respect for him.” She described their home as calm and structured, crediting her dad’s clear parenting style for the peaceful atmosphere.

Michael wasn’t just a TV dad—he was a warm, present, and playful father in real life too.

Strawberry Snow and Ocean Lessons

On Cameo in 2022, Jennifer opened up even more, recalling two treasured childhood memories that still make her smile.

The first? A snowy surprise during a ski trip. “He had covered the entire snow-packed yard in strawberry [Nesquik],” she laughed. “We were just eating all the snow around us. It was so much fun.”

The second memory was a beach game that doubled as a life lesson. Her dad taught her to face fear—by lying in the sand, eyes closed, waiting for a wave to crash from behind.

“We couldn’t look. We just had to trust it was coming. And it always passed, and we were fine,” she said. “I think those were good lessons.”

Carrying His Torch

Though her father’s life ended too soon, Jennifer continues to honor him through her work, both on screen and off. She’s used her platform to encourage awareness and testing for pancreatic cancer, hoping others can catch what her father couldn’t.

As she rides across Montana on Yellowstone, it’s clear Michael’s legacy isn’t just in the past—it lives on through every bold, heartfelt performance Jennifer delivers.

Did you know Jennifer Landon was Michael Landon’s daughter? Which of her performances has moved you the most?