Michael Landon Jonathan Smith Creator, Actor Victor French Mark Gordon Actor Eileen Barnett Eleanor Guest Star Darren McGavin Hale Stoddard Guest Star David Sage Coleman Charnin Guest Star Patricia Smith Martha Stoddard Guest Star Ty Miller Louis (at 17) Guest Star Reed Armstrong Joe Beck Guest Star Will Estes Louis (at 11) Guest Star Troy Davidson Louis (at 4) Guest Star Geoffrey Forward Ed Deiter Guest Star Bruce Newbold Joe Twilly Guest Star Jeffrey Culver Sweats Seltzer Guest Star Tyde Kierney Father Guest Star Sharon Knorr Nurse Guest Star