Marianne Muellerleile

I was thrilled to be cast in HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN, not once but twice. 
 
    As a huge fan of BONANZA and LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE I finally got my chance to meet and work with Michael Landon. He did not disappoint.

 
    Yes, he was easy on the eyes but that fact became secondary once you met him. He was so engaging. Completely focused on the work but always with a twinkle in his eye. He laughed easily while always staying in command.

    He taught me what it means to entertain your audience. In the mid 80s I was cast as a mother in I WAS A MIDDLE AGED WEREWOLF. It was a Halloween episode where my child is having a party at our home and one of the revelers gets out of hand. Michael directed me to smack him in the face. I was so appalled at the idea of hitting a teenager. I asked Michael if I could just push him, hard, to get my point across. He said no, hit him.

 
    He kindly explained that my character represents every parent who has to deal with disrespectful punks. He said by my doing it, I am giving the audience an emotional release, doing what they wished they could do but can't.

    His words reminded me that I am in an entertainment medium. When I watched the episode I saw exactly what he was talking about. It was cathartic for the audience to see a parent handle the situation effectively.

    A year later he cast me in another episode JONATHAN SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON. I was 36 years old, playing a grandmother who has to speak to a senator about her 9 year old grandson! I thought there was no way the audience would believe I had a 9 year old grandson.

    Then I watched the episode and it occurred to me that I was a believable and rather striking grandmother which would provide more entertainment value than an older actor. Michael always kept his audience in mind.

 
    Years later after he'd appeared on Carson to tell the world he was ill, I ran into him at Sony.

    Although the effects of cancer were obvious he remained upbeat, gregarious and engaging. I treasure that moment where I was able to thank him for teaching and entertaining me for so many years.

Marianne Muellerleile with Michael (Highway to Heaven, 1986)