|
Michael was the executive producer as well as the star of the show. He wrote one-third of the scripts each year and directed every other episode.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Michael went to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California after winning an athletic scholarship as a javelin thrower. An injury to his arm ended his athletic career and his interest soon turned to acting. He studied drama while supporting himself with such jobs as loading freight trains and selling blankets door to door.
He soon began getting small parts in movies and in TV dramas such as “Playhouse 90”. It was thanks to his work in a series called “Restless Gun” that the show’s producer signed him as one of the stars of his new series, “Bonanza”. Michael played Little Joe Cartwright for 14 years, during which time he also became a writer and a director.
|
