What Happened to Dodie Levy Fraser, the first wife of Michael Landon?

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  • Post last modified:March 7, 2021
What Happened to Dodie Levy Fraser, the first wife of Michael Landon?
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Dodie Levy Fraser was better known as an ex-wife of one of the greatest Hollywood stars Michael Landon. Her ex-hubby just kicked-off his acting journey around the same time the duo tied the knot. However, it couldn’t be last for long as the now-late-exes separated after around six years of their marriage.

Also, know did the former flames share any children? Besides, Dodie was the mother of Mark Landon, a late actor, with her first husband.

In the article, we will talk further about her parents, siblings, and many unexplored facts you didn’t know!

Who Were Dodie Levy Fraser’s Parents? Details on Her Date of Birth and Siblings

Levy Fraser was born on March 16, 1933, in New York City, New York. She was the daughter of Victoria “Dora” Samarel Levy and Nissim Levy. She spent most of her early life in New York City along with her family. Dodie also has two older siblings named Mary Levy Rugraffe, born in 1926, and Solomon Isaac “Solly” Levy, born in 1930. The oldest Mary passed away in 1989.

In addition, talking about her ethnicity, Levy Fraser is a Caucasian and belongs to an American nationality.

Who was Michael Landon’s first wife Dodie Levy Fraser?

The late celebrity spouse was a legal secretary by profession. Other than that, there is not much known about her career accomplishments. She rose to stardom just after her marriage to the then-rising actor Michael Landon.

When did they get Married?

Dodie and Michael exchanged their vows on Mar 11, 1956, in a low-key wedding ceremony which was attended by their family members and close pals. Around the same time, Dodie’s then-husband Michael had started his career in show business scoring the first role in a television series Telephone Time.

After four years into a marital relationship, the pair also started a family together, adopting a son Josh Fraser Landon as an infant. Josh was born on 11th Feb 1960. It was until their relationship looked pretty good.

But, after the burgeoning acting career with the long-running roles of Michael, the actor couldn’t handle his marriage which slowly started falling apart. Furthermore, in the early 1960s, Landon also had begun a relationship with his then-second-wife Marjorie Lynn Noe. At that time, the actor was still married to Dodie.

Landon eventually left his first wife for his new woman Marjorie. The Bonanza star filed for divorce in March 1962. Their divorce proceeding came to an end in December of the same year.

A few months after their finalization, Landon tied the knot with his second wife Lynn Noe on January 12, 1963. Their relationship also ended in divorce. They had five children including a film director and producer Christopher Beau Landon. For the third time, Michael married Cindy Clerico, a Hollywood makeup artist on February 14, 1983.

Michael married Cindy for the third time.
Michael along with his third wife Cindy.
Source: Getty Image

The two were together until the actor’s death on July 1, 1991. He was fifty-four at the time of his death. Like her ex-hubby, Dodie also married three times throughout her life.

Had a Son Mark Landon With Her Husband Husband

Levy Fraser had a son named Mark Landon (born on October 1, 1948) with her first husband who, sadly, died after their marriage. She never talked more about her first late husband. Soon after his demise, Dodie met Michael who adopted her first child Mark in the same year they married in 1956.

Michael Landon's extended family.
Michael has nine children including two adoptive kids with his first spouse Dodie.
Source: Getty Images

Growing under the adopted actor father, Mark soon developed a strong passion for acting. He made his professional debut in the 1991 TV movie ‘Us.’ He played the role of a cab driver in the project which was written and directed by Michael also. Furthermore, Mark also appeared in a few movies like Double Edge and Goodbye America.

What Happened to Mark Landon?

Dodie Levy Fraser’s first son Mark found dead at his house located in West Hollywood on 11th May 2009 at the age of 60. According to Sgt. David Infante of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, there was no immediate evidence of his death. He was buried at the Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California.

Dodie Levy Fraser Third Marriage to Dr. Peter Lake

After her divorce from Michael, Fraser for the third time went on to marry Dr. Peter Lake in 1971. The two always remained quite secretive about their marriage. Sources say, they were still married until Dodie’s death.

What was the Cause of Dodie Levy Fraser Death?

Dodie passed away on 5th July 1994 at the age of 61, in Palm Springs, Riverside County, California. No genuine reasons behind her death found yet. Her body was interred at Home of Peace Memorial Park, in the Cemetery in East Los Angeles.

Net Worth

Dodie’s net worth was $500,000 at the time of her death. Her major source of income was her profession as a legal secretary. Similarly, her ex-husband Michael had an estimated wealth of $40 million net worth at the time of his death in 1991.

Cannon

Sagar Chand, who goes by Cannon, is a founder at celebsuburb.com. With an aim to cover the life of celebrities, he started the website in 2020 and has been continuously working as an author, editor, and administrator. He has over 6 years of work experience in the entertainment field. Further, he is also one of the Co-Founders at Pandora Group of Companies. Contact: sagarchand242@gmail.com