Dodie Levy-Fraser: Inside the Life of Michael Landon’s Ex-wife

Dodie Levy-Fraser was the ex-wife of the late Michael Landon (born Eugene Maurice Orowitz), an American actor, writer, producer, and filmmaker. She was married to the actor for about six years, from March 1956 to December 1962. 

Dodie Levy-Fraser died on July 5, 1994, at the age of 61. This article looks at her life, including what her early life was like and how she attracted the spotlight as Michael Landon’s first wife.

Summary of Dodie Levy-Fraser’s Bio

• Full name: Dodie Levy-Fraser
• Gender: Female
• Date of birth: March 16, 1993
• Place of birth: New York, United States
• Date of death: July 5, 1994
• Place of death: Palm Springs, Riverside County, California, United States
• Dodie Levy-Fraser’s Age: 61 years old at the time of death
• Burial site: Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery, Culver City, California
• Ethnicity: Caucasian
• Nationality: American
• Zodiac Sign: Pisces
• Sexual Orientation: Straight
• Religion: Christianity
• Marital Status: Married
• Dodie Levy-Fraser’s Husband: Dr. Peter Lake (m. 1971), Michael Landon (born Eugene Maurice Orowitz, deceased) (m. 1956, d. 1962)
• Dodie Levy-Fraser’s Children: 2 – Mark Fraser Landon (son, deceased), Josh Fraser Landon (adopted son)
• Dodie Levy-Fraser’s Parents: Nissim Levy (father, deceased), Victoria “Dora” Samarel Levy (mother, deceased)
• Siblings: 3 – Solomon Isaac Levy (brother), Mary Levy Ruggraffe (sister, deceased, 1989)
• Dodie Levy-Fraser’s Height in Inches: 5 feet 7 inches
• Dodie Levy-Fraser’s Height in Centimeters: 170 cm
• Dodie Levy-Fraser’s Weight: 80 kg (176 lbs)
• Hair color: Blonde
• Eye color: Blue
• Profession: Legal secretary, actress, producer, author, director
• Dodie Levy-Fraser’s Net Worth: Est. $500k
• Famous for: Being Michael Landon’s ex-wife

Dodie Levy-Fraser was Born in 1993

She was born on March 16, 1933, in New York, United States, indicating that she was an American citizen. Her birth sign was Pisces, and she was of the Caucasian ethnic group.

Michael Landon’s first wife was not the only child of her parents, Nissim Levy and Victoria “Dora” Samarel Levy, both of whom are believed to be deceased and whose occupation when they were alive was not known. Dodie Levy-Fraser was raised alongside two older siblings: an older brother named Solomon Isaac Levy and an older sister named Mary Levy Ruggraffe.

Not much is known about Dodie’s siblings except for the fact that her older sister Mary died in 1989, just five years before the late celebrity wife herself kicked the bucket. While there is no disputing the fact that she spent most of her life, including her early life, in the United States, the exact details of where she spent her childhood are unknown.

Additionally, details of Dodie’s formal educational background are unknown, even though most people who knew her got the sense that she was very well-educated.

Dodie Levy-Fraser Was Michael Landon’s Wife For About Six Years

Dodie Levy-Fraser was married to Michael Landon for about six years, from March 1956 to December 1962. Dodie Levy-Fraser met Michael Landon in 1956, and at the time, she had a son from her previous marriage. They started dating soon after they met. However, it is unclear how long they dated before getting married.

They got married on March 11, 1956, in a ceremony which has been described as a private one, with details which are not known. It is worth noting that Levy-Fraser was a widowed legal secretary at the time of her marriage to Landon. The details of her previous marriage are unknown at present.

The marriage between the now-deceased former couple lasted just over six years before ending in divorce on December 1, 1962.

Michael Landon’s Infidelity Led To Dodie Levy-Fraser’s Divorce From Him

Dodie Levy-Fraser’s marriage to Michael Landon hit the rocks because of the late actor’s infidelity, which led to a separation in 1961 before the divorce was finalized the following year.

Dodie Levy-Fraser and Michael Landon’s divorce was primarily caused by Landon’s infidelity with Marjorie Lynn Noe, a model and actress whom the actor would later make his second wife. Landon had a history of extramarital affairs, and his marriage to Fraser was no exception. 

The divorce proceedings between Levy-Fraser and Landon were not smooth. The affair with Noe strained their relationship, causing tension and conflict. Landon admitted to fighting often with Fraser, and he desired to end the constant arguing. The affair was a significant factor in their divorce, as it shattered the trust and stability of their marriage.

However, it is worth noting that Landon himself claimed that the affair was not the sole reason for the divorce. According to Landon, their separation was also a result of deep-rooted issues within their relationship. Despite the difficulties, the divorce from Fraser improved their co-parenting relationship. Landon mentioned that they were able to work together as parents more effectively after the divorce.

In terms of the smoothness of the divorce proceedings, little information about the specific details of the legal aspects of their divorce is available. The absence of this information makes it quite unclear whether their divorce was amicable or contentious.

Dodie Levy Fraser And Michael Landin Shared Three Children

Dodie Levy-Fraser and her ex-husband, Michael Landon, shared two children during their six-year marriage. It is worth noting, though, that the oldest of those two children, Mark Fraser Landon, is a product of Dodie’s previous marriage.

The former couple subsequently adopted another son named Josh Fraser Landon. According to several sources, Josh was born on February 11, 1960. However, further details are limited, making it difficult to say where he is now or what he is up to.

On the other hand, it was reported that Mark Fraser Landon, Dodie’s older son, became an actor. Unfortunately, he was found dead in his apartment on May 11, 2009. He was 61 years old at the time, but the circumstances surrounding his death have remained unknown.

Dodie Levy-Fraser Was Married Twice More

Following the end of her marriage to Michael Landon, Dodie Levy-Fraser moved on with her life and married two more times before her death. Not much is known about her second husband, but she married her third husband, Dr. Peter Lake, in a private ceremony in 1971. Again, very little is known about their time as a couple, but they were still married at the time of Dodie’s death.

Like his first wife, Michael Landon also moved on with his life. He married his second wife, actress and model Marjorie Lynn Noe, on January 12, 1963. That marriage led to the birth of four children, Leslie Ann, Michael Jr., Shawna Leigh, and Christopher Beau, before ending in divorce on January 2, 1982, after nearly 19 years of marriage.

The late actor went on to marry his third and final wife, Cindy Landon, also an actress, on Valentine’s Day, 1983. They had two children, Jennifer Rachel and Sean Matthew, and remained until Michael’s demise in 1991.

What Did Dodie Levy-Fraser Do For A Living?

Dodie Levy-Fraser spent a fair amount of time working in the entertainment industry as an actor, producer, author, and director. Several sources also indicate that she had a brief spell as a legal secretary.

Dodie Levy-Fraser had a diverse career in the entertainment industry. She was an actress, producer, author, and director. Dodie pursued her passion for acting and appeared in a handful of film and television projects during her career. She also showcased her talent behind the scenes as a producer, contributing to the creation and development of several productions. Additionally, Dodie explored her creativity through writing, both as an author and a screenwriter. Her work as a director allowed her to bring her artistic vision to life on the screen.

Interestingly, Dodie also had a brief spell as a legal secretary. While it is not clear when exactly she worked in this role, it is known that at the time of her death, Dodie was working as a legal secretary. This career shift adds an intriguing dimension to her life, showcasing her versatility and adaptability.

Dodie Levy-Fraser’s net worth was $500,000 at the time of her death. While she earned income through her career as a legal secretary, it is unclear whether her net worth was solely accumulated from this role or if it also included her earnings from her previous careers in the entertainment industry. Nevertheless, her net worth is a testament to her success and financial stability.

Ultimately, Michael Landon’s first wife had a multifaceted career in the entertainment industry as an actor, producer, author, and director. She also had a brief spell as a legal secretary. With a net worth of $500,000, Dodie’s accomplishments and financial stability reflect her talent and dedication to her various professional pursuits.

Dodie Levy-Fraser’s Death

Dodie Levy-Fraser died peacefully in her sleep on July 5, 1994, at Palm Springs, Riverside County, California, United States. She was just over 61 years old at the time of her death and was buried at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California.