How Did Michael Pick His Screen Name?

LauraIngallsfan wrote:

Wow, I just found this thread when I was searching for something else.... I too am very surprised! I just thought that Michael Landon was his real name, I never would have thought that it would be something like Eugene Orowitz!

Dave, don't be too hard on me, I have only been into little house since January!

I must say I learn something new every day!

Good for you kiddo! But you have to admit, he picked a good one didn't he? Learn one thing every day and you will learn a lot! I try to!

He sure did!

That is a seriously cool name. It must be hard learning to answer to a new first name.

Here's a clip of Michael on Match Game, '73... the year before Little House. Notice he was "Mike."

Much like Elton John's real name of Reginald Dwight, I don't think ML would have got so far with his original name.

I somehow think  that his real name would not have had the same ring to it!

No, you are right... just doesn't have the right ring to it! Of course, if we were used to it, I am sure it would seem better, but it still would be a bit strange!

This is from IMDB (Internet Movie Data Base).  As you can see, one of 'Michael's' nicknames was "Emo" (using his initials) so at least we know he wasn't hiding his given name; he just knew the new name would make a better screen name; which it did.   IMDB~Michael Landon

Date of Birth~31 October 1936, Forest Hills, Queens, New York City, New York, USA
Date of Death~1 July 1991, Malibu, California, USA  (pancreatic and liver cancer)
Birth Name Eugene Maurice Orowitz
Nicknames~Mike; Emo
Height 5' 9" (1.75 m)

Michael Landon was born Eugene Maurice Orowitz, on October 31, 1936, in Forest Hills, Queens, New York. In 1941, he and his family moved to Collingswood, New Jersey.

When Eugene was in high school, he participated -- and did very well -- in track and field, especially javelin throwing, and his athletic skills earned him a scholarship to USC. However, an accident injured his arm, ending his athletic career -- and his term at USC -- and he worked a number of odd jobs and small roles to make ends meet and decided that acting was for him. However, he thought that his real name was not a suitable one for an aspiring actor, and so "Michael Landon" was born.