What You Don't Know About The Actress Who Plays Teeter On Yellowstone
If you've been watching Paramount Network's ranch-centered show "Yellowstone" lately, you may have fallen in love with the character Teeter. Debuting in the third season as a likable ranch hand, the character and her unique dialect quickly became a fan favorite (via Men's Health).
While viewers have come to know and love Teeter, they may not be as familiar with the person behind the character. Teeter is played by actress Jennifer Landon. Aside from just acting on the show, Landon is also a fan. Praising the series, Landon told Decider. "I'm a lunchbox actor. Each job is a job fought for and a job got. So after all that hard work, to get something like 'Yellowstone' and to get to work [with 'Yellowstone' creator] Taylor Sheridan, who I have tremendous respect for, and with actors of this caliber, it's a no-brainer."
Curious to learn more about the actress who plays Teeter on "Yellowstone"? Here's what to know.
Her father was the iconic actor Michael Landon
If Jennifer Landon's last name sounds familiar, it's because she comes from Hollywood royalty. Landon is the daughter of famous actor Michael Landon, who starred on iconic television shows like "Bonanza" and "Little House on the Prairie." On the latter, he played the Ingalls family patriarch Charles Ingalls. In fact, Jennifer Landon got her start on TV on her father's show "Highway to Heaven" when she was just 5 years old. "My dad wanted to put his kid in something and he was allowed to do that," she told Smashing Interviews Magazine. "I always say if your dad owns a deli, your first job is probably working at the deli."
She is her father's eighth child of nine from his last marriage with Cindy Landon (via PanCAN), who worked in Hollywood as a makeup artist (via Outsider). Growing up, she had respect for her father, whom she also described as "incredibly fun and very funny" (via Smashing Interviews Magazine). "He was always so present as a father," she told Closer Weekly. "He'd watch me jump around the pool for an hour straight. I think he genuinely enjoyed it. I felt admired by him — which is an amazing feeling to have as a child."
Her siblings are in the entertainment business too
Jennifer Landon, who has one brother from her dad's marriage to Cindy and eight half-siblings, isn't the only Landon offspring to follow in their famous father's footsteps (via Men's Health). She also has siblings in the entertainment industry.
One of her half-brothers, Christopher Landon, works behind the camera as a filmmaker and is known for the horror movies "Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones," "Happy Death Day," and its sequel "Happy Death Day 2U" (via IMDb). Jennifer Landon's older sister Leslie Landon also worked as an actress and, like her younger half-sister, worked alongside her father (appearing as Etta Plum on "Little House on the Prairie"). While half-brother Michael Landon Jr. also appeared on "Little House on the Prairie" (as well as "Bonanza: The Next Generation"), he now works in the entertainment business as a producer. Some of his works as a producer include Hallmark's "When Calls the Heart" and "Love Comes Softly," starring Katherine Heigl.
Jennifer Landon starred in soap operas
Jennifer Landon's last name might not be the only thing that looks familiar to "Yellowstone" fans — they might also recognize her face. While Landon has appeared in shows such as "Animal Kingdom," "Banshee," and "Chicago Med" (via the actress' IMDb page), she is also a well-known soap opera actress.
Landon has starred in multiple soap operas throughout the years. From 2005 to 2010, she portrayed the role of Gwen Norbeck Munson on the CBS drama "As the World Turns." She then went on to play Heather Stevens on "The Young and the Restless" in 2012, where she was the third actress to portray the character. "She's really a cursed character," Landon told Smashing Interviews Magazine, referencing Heather. "It felt like four people in one month played her. I mean, so many people have played that Heather character that I've met two of them in completely random situations."
Landon also appeared as Hillary Nelson on the soap "Days of Our Lives" in 2017.
She's won multiple Daytime Emmys
Jennifer Landon's turn in soap operas not only made her a name outside of her famous father, but it also allowed her to showcase her acting chops — so much so that she won three consecutive Daytime Emmys, according to her IMDb page.
In 2006, Landon won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Gwen Norbeck Munson on "As the World Turns." The following two years (2007 and 2008), Landon won the same category for the role. In addition to multiple Emmy wins for her "As the World Turns" appearance, Landon was also nominated for Best Actress in a Daytime Serial by the Online Film & Television Association in 2007.
During the acceptance speech for her first Daytime Emmy win in 2006, Landon thanked her mother and brother, whom she described as her "inspiration," "hope," and "support." "And to my papa," Landon said. "Thank you."
She's guest-starred on other hit shows
Before playing Teeter in "Yellowstone," Jennifer Landon had several guest-starring roles on television shows. After her stint on "As the World Turns," Landon appeared on an episode of the medical drama "House" in 2011. In 2016, she was brought on for four episodes of the Cinemax show "Banshee," where she played Lilith Bode. Landon can also be seen in episodes of "Chicago Med," "The Resident," and Hulu's "Helstrom."
Since 2021, Landon has worked on the CBS crime series "FBI: Most Wanted," produced by Dick Wolf. Landon landed a recurring role on the show where she portrays Sarah Allen, the love interest of the main character Special Agent Jess LaCroix — played by actor Julian McMahon (via TVLine). Landon's character is the riding instructor to LaCroix's daughter, Tali, played by Yaya Gosselin. Landon posted an Instagram photo with her and Gosselin on the set in 2021 with the caption, "So happy to be back with my fave human @yayagosselin."
She advocates for cancer awareness
Jennifer Landon advocates for causes close to her heart when she isn't on set acting. Aside from speaking out about social and political issues on her Instagram, the actress is also a cancer awareness advocate. Specifically, inspired by her father's diagnosis and subsequent death when she was only 7 years old, Landon works with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (also known as PanCAN).
"Seeing my dad sick, I think that really changed me as a kid — and as an adult," Landon told PanCAN in a 2021 interview. "You immediately grow up when you are physically stronger and more able-bodied than your parents." Landon is now a PanCAN Ambassador and spreads awareness about familial links and the importance of testing.
In 2021, the actress appeared in a PSA where she talked about her experience with genetic testing and encouraged others in similar situations to do the same. "Testing is about advocating for yourself," Landon said in the campaign (via Fierce Pharma). "If you've lost someone to pancreatic cancer, getting tested can be incredibly cathartic and a way to take power back."