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Joe Lando
View on WikipediaJoseph John Lando (born December 9, 1961) is an American actor, known for playing Jake Harrison on daytime's One Life to Live (1990–1992) and Byron Sully on the television series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993–1998).
Key Information



Life and career
[edit]Lando attended Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois.[1]
His first acting role was as a patrolman in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. He received attention for his role as Jake Harrison in the soap opera One Life to Live, and went on to co-star in the popular drama Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman as Michaela Quinn's love interest, Byron Sully.[2] He also appeared in the television series Guiding Light[3] and starred in Higher Ground, for which he also served as executive producer.[4] He had a small part in the series Summerland, and appeared in eight episodes of the TV series The Secret Circle as John Blackwell, the father of the main character. In 2014 he joined several Dr. Quinn castmates as they all reprised their roles for the "Funny or Die" parody Dr. Quinn, Morphine Woman.
He has appeared in various feature films, including Seeds of Doubt (1996) and No Code of Conduct (1998). He reunited with Dr. Quinn costar, Jane Seymour, in 2011 for Hallmark Channel's Perfectly Prudence, and again in 2022 for Lifetime's A Christmas Spark.
He was named one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in the World for 1993.[5]
He and his wife, Kirsten, have been married since 1997 and have four children.
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Film / TV Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Star Search | Contestant | |
| 1986 | Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home | Shore Patrolman | Film debut |
| 1989 | Nightingales | Repairman | S1 E4 |
| 1990 | Beauty and the Beast | One of Gabriel's Thugs | S3 E5 "Beggar's Comet" |
| 1990 | I Love You to Death | Pizza Guy | Also technical advisor in the pizza kitchen |
| 1990 | One Life to Live | Jake Harrison | Part of the iconic couple "Jake & Megan" |
| 1993 | Guiding Light | MacAuley West | |
| 1993-1998 | Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman | Byron Sully | Co-starred with Jane Seymour in 143 episodes |
| 1994 | Shadows of Desire | Sonny Snow | |
| 1995 | The Nanny | Himself, and in character as Byron Sully | S3 E11 "The Unkindest Cut" |
| 1996 | Seeds of Doubt | Raymond Crawford | |
| 1996 | The John Larroquette Show | Todd | S3 E15 "The Train Wreck" |
| 1996 | Alien Nation: The Enemy Within | Rick Shaw | |
| 1997 | California | Byron Sully | Spinoff of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman |
| 1997 | Any Place But Home | Lucas Dempsey | |
| 1998 | Tracey Takes On... | Himself | S3 E2 “Hollywood” |
| 1998 | Blindness | Patrick | |
| 1998 | JAG | Christopher Ragle | 2 Episodes: S4 E8 "Mr. Rabb Goes to Washington" and S4 E9 "People v. Mac" |
| 1998 | No Code of Conduct | Willdog | |
| 1999 | Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Movie | Byron Sully | AKA "Revolutions," this film continues the story of "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman." |
| 2000 | The Adventures of Cinderella's Daughter | King Gregory | |
| 2000 | Higher Ground | Peter Scarbrow | Starred in 22 episodes, also Executive Producer for the series. |
| 2001 | Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Heart Within | Byron Sully | This film continues the story of "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman." |
| 2002 | Counterstrike | Secret Service Agent Vince Kellogg | AKA "Attack of the Queen" |
| 2003 | Killer Flood: The Day the Dam Broke | David Arthur Powell | |
| 2003 | Devil Winds | Peter Jensen | |
| 2004 | Summerland | Tyler 'Driftwood Guy' James Obergon | S1 E11 "Life in the Fishbowl" |
| 2004 | Combustion | Scott Daniels | |
| 2005 | 1-800-Missing | SiAC Tobias Burke | E2 S15 "John Doe" |
| 2005 | Bloodsuckers | Churchill | AKA "Vampire Wars" |
| 2005 | Wildfire | Pete Ritter | 7 episodes, 2005–2006 |
| 2006 | Engaged to Kill | Robert Lord | Lifetime Movie |
| 2006 | A.I. Assault | Major Richard Tunney | AKA "Shockwave" |
| 2010 | Meteor Apocalypse | David DeMatti | |
| 2010 | NCIS | Lieutenant Commander Rob Clarke | S7 E12 "Flesh and Blood" |
| 2010 | Spotlight | Cal Johnson | Short film |
| 2011 | Perfectly Prudence | Jack Jameson | Hallmark Movie that reunited him with Dr. Quinn co-star, Jane Seymour |
| 2012 | The Secret Circle | John Blackwell | The CW series, 8 episodes |
| 2012 | Layover/Abducted | Elliot | Lifetime Movie as Layover; on DVD as Abducted |
| 2014 | Hit the Floor | Detective Ray Harris | 2 Episodes: S2 E11 "Sudden Death" and S2 E12 "Winner Takes All" |
| 2014 | Born Wild | Will Brooks | Formerly known as "Thriftstore Cowboy". Reunited him with Dr. Quinn castmate, William Shockley. |
| 2014 | Dr. Quinn, Morphine Woman | Byron Sully | Short parody produced by "Funny or Die" that reunited him with Jane Seymour & several Dr. Quinn castmates. |
| 2015 | Earthfall | Steven Lannon | |
| 2016 | Casa Vita | Cliff Lindstrom | TV movie for PixL; airs on other channels as "Love Throws a Curve" |
| 2016 | Freshwater | Sheriff Jones | |
| 2016 | Spotlight—Pt. 2 | Cal Johnson | Short film with Dr. Quinn castmate Jonelle Allen. |
| 2017 | Sniper: Ultimate Kill | Special Agent John Samson | |
| 2018 | The Bold and the Beautiful | Judge Craig McMullen | |
| 2019 | The Untold Story | Danny | Formerly After Ours |
| 2020 | Hammurabi | Jake | Short Film |
| 2020 | Friendsgiving | Handsome Man | Appeared with Dr. Quinn costar Jane Seymour. Premiered in theaters Oct. 23, 2020. |
| 2020 | A Very Charming Christmas Town | Darren | Premiered on Lifetime on Nov. 8, 2020. |
| 2022 | Paloma's Flight | Sam Moses | Series TV pilot |
| 2022 | A Christmas Spark | Hank Maris | Appeared with Dr. Quinn costar Jane Seymour. Premiered on Lifetime on Nov. 27, 2022. |
| 2022 | The Bay | Lee Nelson | Season 7, Episodes 3 & 4, Aired in December 2022 |
| 2023 | The Bold and the Beautiful | Judge Craig McMullen | Aired Jan. 9-11, 2023 |
| 2023 | Night Train | Chuck McCord | Theatrical Release on Jan. 13, 2023. |
| 2025 | The Legend of Van Dorn | Dr. George B. Peters | (Upcoming) |
References
[edit]- ^ Nenni, Pete. "Stevenson grads make a name for themselves in television roles", Daily Herald (Arlington Heights), May 13, 2003. Accessed January 20, 2008. Archived March 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ 5000 Episodes And No Commercials, The Ultimate Guide to TV Shows on DVD in 2007, Pg 85
- ^ Catoosa County News Plus, July 14, 1993
- ^ Canadian Television Made for the United States Market, by Marsha Ann Tate, McFarland 2007, Pg 206
- ^ (1993, May 3) Joe Lando, People Magazine, Vol. 39, No. 17, p. 124
External links
[edit]Joe Lando
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Childhood and family background
Joe Lando was born Joseph John Lando Jr. on December 9, 1961, in Prairie View, Illinois, a suburb near Chicago.[2][1][5] He was the younger of two children born to Joseph Lando, a fishing tackle manufacturer, and Virginia Lando, a homemaker.[1][5] His older sister, Kathy, is ten years his senior.[6] The family resided in Prairie View, where Lando was raised in a middle-class household of Italian and Polish descent.[5][7] Lando's early years were shaped by this suburban environment, though specific childhood hobbies beyond general family life are not widely documented. His interest in acting emerged later during high school at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, influenced by his girlfriend at the time, Alison LaPlaca, who encouraged him to pursue auditions.[5] This familial and personal backdrop provided a stable foundation before his relocation to California at age 18.[8]Move to California and initial pursuits
After graduating from Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, in 1980, Joe Lando relocated to Los Angeles at the age of 18, motivated by a desire to pursue opportunities in the entertainment industry rather than inherit his father's fishing tackle business.[9][10][5] This move represented a sharp departure from his Midwestern family roots, launching his independent life on the West Coast.[11] To make ends meet, Lando initially worked in the restaurant sector, beginning with tasks like flipping pizzas at an Italian eatery and progressing to roles as a chef, including catering for motion picture productions where he sometimes fed up to 700 people daily on film sets.[12][13] These jobs, often demanding six nights a week, provided financial stability but also exposed him to the inner workings of Hollywood, fueling his longstanding aspiration to become an actor.[9][13] During this early period in California, Lando began formal training by enrolling in acting classes, an introduction facilitated through connections at the William Morris Agency to a professional coach, marking his initial foray into the entertainment world without yet securing on-screen work.[12][13] The transition proved challenging, as he navigated years of "banging around" in support roles and odd jobs amid the competitive landscape of Los Angeles, honing his determination before any professional breakthroughs.[12][9]Acting career
Breakthrough roles in the 1990s
Joe Lando made his film debut in 1986 as a Shore Patrolman in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, portraying a minor authority figure in a scene set in San Francisco.[14] This uncredited role marked his entry into professional acting following his relocation to California.[2] In 1989, Lando appeared in the short-lived NBC medical drama Nightingales as a locksmith in one episode, assisting the nursing students central to the series' plot.[15] The following year, he took on small supporting parts in two projects: a thug working for the antagonist Gabriel in the episode "Beggar's Comet" of Beauty and the Beast, contributing to the show's dark urban fantasy narrative, and the Pizza Guy in the black comedy film I Love You to Death, a role informed by his prior experience as a restaurant cook, for which he also served as a technical advisor on pizza preparation scenes.[16] These early television and film appearances honed his skills while he balanced acting pursuits with restaurant employment. Lando's breakthrough came with his portrayal of Jake Harrison on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live from March 1990 to July 1992.[17] Harrison, a private investigator, becomes romantically involved with heiress Megan Gordon (Jessica Tuck) after being blackmailed by Michael Grande into spying on her, leading to a passionate romance that evolves into one of the soap's most beloved supercouples.[18] Their storyline, marked by dramatic escapes—such as Jake helping Megan flee after her wrongful conviction for Grande's murder—family conflicts, and tragedy—Megan's death from lupus in Jake's arms—captivated audiences and established Lando as a heartthrob, drawing significant casting attention for his charismatic, blue-collar appeal.[19] While working as a cook and manager in Hollywood restaurants, including advancing to chef and manager positions, Lando took acting classes to build his craft.[20] Upon landing One Life to Live in 1990, he left behind restaurant work to focus fully on acting and expand his career opportunities.[9]Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and its impact
Joe Lando was cast as Byron Sully in the CBS Western drama Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, which premiered on January 1, 1993, marking his breakthrough as the series' romantic lead opposite Jane Seymour's Dr. Michaela Quinn.[8] Sully, portrayed as an enigmatic mountain man and ally to the Cheyenne people, embodied the rugged independence of the 19th-century American frontier, often serving as Quinn's moral compass and love interest amid the challenges of Colorado Springs.[21] Lando's selection for the role came after his earlier soap opera work, positioning him as the first and only actor considered for Sully by CBS casting.[22] The series spanned six seasons from 1993 to 1998, producing 150 episodes that followed Dr. Quinn's journey as a Boston physician adapting to frontier life, with Sully as a central figure in her personal and professional struggles.[23] It concluded with two made-for-television movies: Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman: The Movie in 1999, which reunited the cast for a post-series adventure, and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Heart Within in 2001, featuring Lando reprising Sully in a storyline involving family and redemption. Production primarily occurred at the Paramount Movie Ranch in Agoura Hills, California, where the Western town's sets provided an authentic backdrop, and Lando often performed his own stunts to capture Sully's physical prowess, such as horseback riding and wilderness scenes.[24][25] Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman emerged as a family viewing staple, achieving Top 20 ratings in its debut season despite a challenging Saturday night slot and fostering a dedicated fanbase that visited filming locations weekly.[26] The show's exploration of 19th-century American West themes—including women's rights, immigration, environmental concerns, and Native American relations—sparked intergenerational discussions, while Lando's palpable on-screen chemistry with Seymour, rooted in their genuine rapport, amplified romantic tension and propelled his popularity.[26] This dynamic not only sustained viewer engagement across 150 episodes but also expanded Lando's fanbase, with enduring enthusiasm evident in reunion appearances and social media reactions decades later.[26] Lando's performance as Sully earned him the 1996 Family Film Award for Best Actor, recognizing his contribution to the series' wholesome appeal, and he presented a Genesis Award to the show in 1994 for its episode addressing animal welfare.[27][28] The role solidified Lando's image as a rugged, heroic leading man, influencing his casting in similar physically demanding characters in later Westerns and action projects, though it occasionally limited diversification from the archetype.[29]Television and film work post-2000
Following the end of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Joe Lando continued to build on his established image as a rugged, heroic figure through a mix of lead and supporting roles in television and film. In 2000, he starred as Peter Scarbrow, the dedicated director of a specialized academy for at-risk youth with extraordinary abilities, in the Fox Family Channel sci-fi adventure series Higher Ground, which ran for one season and explored themes of redemption and mentorship, and which he also executive produced.[30] Lando maintained a steady presence on television with guest and recurring appearances on established procedurals and dramas. He portrayed Navy Lieutenant Commander Rob Clarke, a flight instructor entangled in a murder investigation, in the 2010 episode "Flesh and Blood" of NCIS, marking the show's 150th episode.[31] Earlier, in 2004, he guest-starred as Nick Briar, a suspect in a missing persons case, on Without a Trace. From 2011 to 2012, Lando had a recurring role as John Blackwell, a powerful witch and the enigmatic father of the protagonist, in The CW's supernatural series The Secret Circle, appearing in multiple episodes during its single season.[32] In film, Lando gravitated toward direct-to-video productions in the sci-fi, action, and disaster genres, often playing resilient protagonists facing existential threats. He led Meteor Apocalypse (2010), a low-budget disaster flick from The Asylum where he depicted David, a father navigating quarantined Los Angeles amid a meteor-induced catastrophe.[33] Similar roles followed in A.I. Assault (2006), as Major Richard Tunney leading a SEAL team against rogue military robots on a remote island,[34] Earthfall (2015), portraying astronaut Steven Lannon in a tale of planetary peril from a rogue celestial body,[35] and Sniper: Ultimate Kill (2017), as FBI Agent John Samson aiding elite snipers against a Colombian drug cartel.[36] This pattern highlights Lando's pivot to genre fare, frequently produced on modest budgets for streaming and home video markets, allowing him to embody authoritative, survival-driven characters. Lando's more recent work extends this trajectory into thrillers and horror. In 2023, he played Chuck McCord, a key ally in a high-stakes pursuit involving black-market medicine, in the action-thriller Night Train.[37] The following year, he appeared as Jake in the segment "Hammurabi" of the horror anthology All Hallows' Eve: Inferno (2024), contributing to its collection of terror tales framed by a supernatural recovery narrative.[38] Looking forward, Lando will reunite onscreen with Dr. Quinn co-star Jane Seymour in Season 5 of the Acorn TV mystery series Harry Wild, filming in 2025, where he takes the role of Pierce Kennedy, a charismatic state pathologist who becomes an ally to the amateur sleuth.[39] This collaboration underscores his ongoing appeal in ensemble-driven stories, even as his career has emphasized versatile, action-oriented parts in niche productions.Personal life
Marriage and children
Joe Lando married Kirsten Barlow on May 24, 1997, at the Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona.[40] Barlow, a homemaker, has consistently maintained a low public profile throughout their marriage, focusing on family rather than the spotlight of Lando's acting career.[41] The couple has four children: Jack Neville Lando, born on June 3, 1998; Christian Antonio Lando, born on July 7, 2001; Kate Elizabeth Lando, born on April 3, 2003; and William Joseph Lando, born on July 20, 2007.[6] The family prioritizes privacy, with the children largely shielded from media attention and public life, reflecting Barlow's and Lando's commitment to a grounded upbringing away from Hollywood's glare.[42] By November 2025, Lando and Barlow's marriage had endured 28 years, a testament to its stability amid the challenges of a career in entertainment.[43] They balance family life with Lando's professional commitments through limited joint public appearances, allowing the family to remain a private anchor in his otherwise public world.[44]Residence and recent challenges
Joe Lando has long resided in the Los Angeles area, with a particular affinity for the coastal communities of Pacific Palisades and ties to nearby Malibu through personal connections. For over two decades, he made his primary home in Pacific Palisades, where he raised his family in a setting that balanced suburban tranquility with proximity to Hollywood.[4] A typically private individual, Lando has deliberately selected residences that minimize public exposure, allowing him to protect his family's daily life from media intrusion and maintain a sense of normalcy away from the spotlight.[45] This approach underscores his commitment to family privacy, often avoiding public discussions or appearances that could draw attention to his home life. In a profound recent challenge, Lando's Pacific Palisades home of 22 years was completely destroyed in the Palisades Fire, which began on January 7, 2025, leaving the family with significant material and emotional losses.[46] Amid the devastation, former Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman co-star Jane Seymour opened her Malibu home to Lando, his wife, their four children, daughter-in-law, and two dogs, providing immediate shelter and support for seven people during the crisis.[4][46] Lando expressed gratitude for this act of kindness, noting the irreplaceable value of such friendships in times of adversity.[45]Filmography
Television credits
Joe Lando's television career spans several decades, featuring lead roles in drama series and numerous guest and recurring appearances across various genres. The following is a chronological catalog of his television series credits, including character names and episode counts where available.| Year(s) | Title | Role | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Beauty and the Beast | One of Gabriel's Thugs | 1 [47] |
| 1990–1992 | One Life to Live | Jake Harrison | 370 [48] |
| 1993 | Guiding Light | Macauley West | ~30 (6-week run) [49] |
| 1993–1998 | Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman | Byron Sully | 150 [23] |
| 1995 | The Nanny | Joe Lando / Byron Sully | 1 [50] |
| 1998 | JAG | Lt. Cmdr. Chris Ragle | 2 [51] |
| 2000 | Higher Ground | Peter Scarbrow | 22 [30] |
| 2004 | Summerland | Tyler 'Driftwood Guy' James Obregon | 1 [52] |
| 2005–2006 | Wildfire | Pete Ritter | 7 [53] |
| 2010 | NCIS | Lt. Cmdr. Rob Clarke | 1 [31] |
| 2010– | The Bay | Lee Nelson | Multiple (recurring, including 2 in 2010 and episodes in 2022) [54] |
| 2011–2012 | The Secret Circle | John Blackwell | 7 [55] |
| 2018– | The Bold and the Beautiful | Judge Craig McMullen | Multiple (recurring, including 2018 and 2023 appearances) [56] |
| 2025 | Harry Wild | Pierce Kennedy | Upcoming (Season 5) [57] |
Film credits
Joe Lando's film credits encompass a range of feature films and made-for-television movies, spanning from minor roles in major productions to leading parts in direct-to-video and holiday specials. His work in this medium often intersects with his television career, particularly through reunion projects with former co-stars.| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home | San Francisco Police Officer | Feature film. |
| 1990 | I Love You to Death | Pizza Guy | Feature film; also served as technical advisor. |
| 1994 | Shadows of Desire | Sonny Snow | TV movie. |
| 1998 | Seeds of Doubt | Raymond Crawford | Feature film. |
| 1998 | No Code of Conduct | Wildog | Feature film. |
| 1999 | Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Movie | Byron Sully | TV movie. |
| 2001 | Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Heart Within | Byron Sully | TV movie. |
| 2003 | Devil Winds | Peter Jensen | TV movie. |
| 2005 | Bloodsuckers | Patrick Redford | TV movie. |
| 2011 | Perfectly Prudence | King King | TV movie. |
| 2017 | Sniper: Ultimate Kill | Agent John Samson | Direct-to-video feature film. |
| 2020 | A Very Charming Christmas Town | Darren | TV movie. |
| 2022 | A Christmas Spark | Hank Maris | TV movie; reunion with Jane Seymour. |
| 2022 | Paloma's Flight | Sam Moses | TV movie. |
| 2023 | Night Train | Chuck | Feature film. |
| 2024 | All Hallows' Eve: Inferno | Jake (segment "The Last Halloween") | Feature film. |
