Highway to Heaven (1984–1989)

A probationary angel sent back to earth teams with an ex-cop to help people.

Stars:

Michael Landon, Victor French, James Troesh

Nominated for 7 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Michael Landon	...	Jonathan Smith (111 episodes, 1984-1989)
Victor French	...	Mark Gordon (111 episodes, 1984-1989)

Storyline

Jonathan Smith is a probationary angel sent back to Earth to help people. During the series' first episode, he meets embittered ex-policeman Mark Gordon (as Jonathan is walking along a little-used road, on which Mark happens to be driving). Jonathan helps reform Mark, with the grateful Mark agreeing to become Jonathan's right-hand associate in carrying out the heavenly mission. The two begin traveling the country as itinerant workers, receiving assignments from "the Boss" (an unseen associate only Jonathan could communicate with), with their mission being to deliver love, understanding and humility to the people they encountered. Typical episodes stressed moral, Christian themes; though many episodes dealt with common human failings, such as egotism, bitterness and greed, some shows addressed such topics as racism and cancer. A few shows, however, were played mainly for laughs (such as Landon recreating his first famous starring role in a takeoff of his 1957 film I Was a Teenage ...

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Plot Keywords:

angel | friendship | friendship between men | tongue in cheek | angel on earth | 

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Taglines:

Some powers are higher than others.

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Genres:

Drama | Family | Fantasy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Camino al cielo

Filming Locations:

Big Sky Ranch - 4927 Bennett Road, Simi Valley, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Michael Landon Productions, National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (111 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

Among Hollywood insiders, the show was known as "Jesus of Malibu".

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Quotes

Mark Gordon: Cute, Jonathan. Real cute.

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Connections

Referenced in Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of 'Diff'rent Strokes' (2006)

User Reviews

Way The World Should Be

Highway to Heaven is probably the greatest television show I have ever watched. Michael Landon showed us the viewers the way older people, people with disabilities, and others can be treated so badly in society. As Jonathan Smith Michael tried to instil better values in people, as well as showing us how to treat people with love and respect. Plus there was always plenty of action when Jonathan would be forced to defend people from thugs. One of my favourite episodes has to be the one where a man has his food taken from him by thugs, Jonathan says to the thugs c'mon give the kid back his food you've had your fun, when they refused Jonathan threw the thugs all over the place. The show also showed Jonathan and Mark on wonderful journey's from town to town each week, which was great. Michael Landon tried to show people how to love and laugh, just watching an episode makes you want to get out there and help someone out. I thank Michael Landon for inspiring me to be a better person. I will never forget what Michael Landon has contributed to my life, and I thank him so much. Highway to Heaven should be on television again, rather than the non-family oriented Reality Television Shows of today. Michael's television shows took me back to my childhood memories of my loving grandmother Mavis Brewis. I am certain that Michael Landon and my grandmother are now real angels of god.