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Stories

Michael Landon Thought Victor French Did Not Die Of Lung Cancer

by Lauren Novak

Published April 27, 2023

Michael Landon did not think Victor French died of lung cancer

Victor French worked with Little House on the Prairie star Michael Landon for many years. Victor appeared in Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Little House on the Prairie, and Highway to Heaven. When he passed away in 1989, reportedly from lung cancer, Michael thought he passed away for another reason. He opened up to co-star Karen Grassle about it.

Karen recalls that she asked Michael Landon how Victor died. She remembers that Michael Landon said, “Drank himself to death.” She added, “The obits said lung cancer, but Mike knew better. Another big, gifted guy killed by alcoholism.”

Related:

  1. Michael Landon Was Upset When Victor French Left ‘Little House On The Prairie’ For Sitcom
  2. ‘Little House’ Stars Karen Grassle And Victor French Had The Same Addiction

Michael Landon thought co-star Victor French died of alcoholism, not lung cancer

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE (aka LITTLE HOUSE: A NEW BEGINNING), from left: Melissa Gilbert, Dean Butler, Victor French (Season 8, 1982), 1974-83
LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE (aka LITTLE HOUSE: A NEW BEGINNING), from left: Melissa Gilbert, Dean Butler, Victor French (Season 8, 1982), 1974-83 / Everett Collection

Before his death, Victor often talked about how much he loved working with Michael and how he had a lot of respect for him. He once shared that Michael’s shows were such a success because he focused on quality and quality actors. He said that Michael “didn’t let his shows get too syrupy, even when a sensitive topic was addressed.”

RELATED: One Director Called ‘Little House’ Star Michael Landon ‘The Biggest Liar’

HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN, Victor French, 1984-1989
HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN, Victor French, 1984-1989, © NBC/courtesy Everett Collection

Victor added, “There probably aren’t many people who would have the guts to do it straight. I went home and started watching one of our shows that had a quadriplegic actor in it, and I started crying. I thought, ‘Thank God, I’m in a show in which that actor is able to do that [role].’”

HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN, from left, Michael Landon, Victor French, 1984-89
HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN, from left, Michael Landon, Victor French, 1984-89. ©NBC/courtesy Everett Collection (1984 photo by Mario Casilli)

Regardless of how Victor died, he was truly a great talent and is very missed.

RELATED: ‘Little House’ Star Alison Arngrim Backs Claims Michael Landon Was Opposite Of Wholesome Pa

Next up: ‘Wheel Of Fortune’ Fans Criticize Gameshow Producers For ‘Ridiculous’ Puzzle
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Next Post: Bret Michaels Opens Up On Health Challenges At 60 Years Old: ‘I Still Got a Lot of Life to Live’

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