Ever wonder if television actors ever truly connect with their audience, peering beyond the screen to acknowledge our presence? Chuck Connors, in the opening credits of The Rifleman, arguably does just that, delivering a captivating stare directly into the camera after firing his rifle, a moment that blurs the line between fiction and reality.

That's precisely the sort of detail that makes classic television so enduring, and its certainly a factor in the appeal of The Rifleman, particularly the episode featuring a young Michael Landon. Long before he became a household name with Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie, Landon showcased his talent in smaller roles, including a memorable guest appearance in the series.

In the episode titled "End of a Young Gun," which originally aired on October 14, 1958, Landon portrays Will Fulton, a 19-year-old member of a bank-robbing gang. Directed by Jerry Hopper and written by Frank D. Gilroy, this episode marks a significant early role for Landon, allowing him to demonstrate the range he would later become famous for. The narrative takes an interesting turn when young Mark McCain finds himself in dire straits.

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Eugene Maurice Orowitz (Michael Landon)
Date of Birth	October 31, 1936
Date of Death	July 1, 1991
Occupation	Actor, Writer, Director, Producer
Years Active	19551991
Notable Roles	Little Joe Cartwright (Bonanza), Charles Ingalls (Little House on the Prairie), Jonathan Smith (Highway to Heaven)
Early TV Appearances	The Rifleman (2 episodes), Telephone Time, Crossroads
Spouses	Dodie Levy-Fraser (m. 19561962), Marjorie Lynn Noe (m. 19631982), Cindy Clerico (m. 19831991)
Children	Mark Landon, Josh Landon, Michael Landon Jr., Leslie Landon, Shawna Landon, Christopher Landon, Jennifer Landon, Sean Landon
Directorial Debut	Little House on the Prairie (TV series)
Production Company	Michael Landon Productions
Awards & Recognition	Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Reference Link	Michael Landon IMDB Page