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Here’s Why Michael Landon’s Daughter Was the Perfect Choice for Teeter on ‘Yellowstone’

“Yellowstone” actress Jen Landon is a perfect match for Paramount’s hit TV show because the rising star has westerns in her blood. She’s the daughter of 1960s and 70s star Michael Landon and third wife Cindy Clerico.

Jen Landon currently stars on “Yellowstone” as Teeter, who stands out even among the show’s cast of tough characters. But that comes naturally to the actress. She grew up studying her father and his skills on classic shows like “Bonanza” and “Little House on the Prairie.”

Landon actually appeared on “Highway to Heaven,” alongside her dad. But since he passed away when she was seven, the actor revealed she watches his old shows to feel closer to him. Some of that grit and resolve has apparently rubbed off on Landon. The “Bonanza” actor would be proud to see his daughter followed in his cowboy ways.

Jen Landon Impressed ‘Yellowstone’ Creator

But Landon is also tough in real life. She revealed that she had to fight for all her film roles rather than rest on her famous father’s memory. She even impressed “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan.

“I’m a lunchbox actor. Each job is a job fought for and a job got,” she told Decider. “So after all that hard work, to get something like ‘Yellowstone’ and to get to work Taylor Sheridan, who I have tremendous respect for, and with actors of this caliber, it’s a no-brainer. Plus, I don’t know if I’ll ever audition for a part as cool as Teeter for the rest of my life. And I’m kind of okay with that.”

As for Tiller’s penchant for chewing tobacco, audiences can thank Landon. While the pink hair was scripted, Landon came up with the character’s tobacco habit during her audition.

“Teeter is gender-defying in a lot of ways,” she continued. “The pink hair was in the character description based on somebody Taylor knows. What wasn’t in the character description was dipping tobacco. When I auditioned for the role, I used chewing gum as a substitute for dip and wore a baseball cap.”

She also may not have went to cowboy camp. But she’s well trained for the role. Landon worked with a wrangler to learn how to ride a horse and other skills she’d need to thrive while on “Yellowstone.”

Landon’s career is just taking off in many respects. She’ll next appear on “FBI: Most Wanted,” as a horse-riding instructor Sarah Allen. The actor is already using those horse-riding lessons to good use. The character is posed to be a love interest for that show’s lead actor Julian McMahon. The actor is also expected to return to “Yellowstone’ for Season 4.