Cindy Landon(born Cindy Kim Clerico) was born in Helper, Utah. She was the only child of Richard Clerico and his wife, Marilyn (née Jones). Her parents married in Utah in 1956, and Cindy was their sole offspring. In 1964, the family moved to California to be closer to Richard’s work, and Landon spent the remainder of her childhood in the Los Angeles area. Landon’s early years revealed a deep affinity for animals. In an interview, she said she had “always loved animals,” and later recalled that at age seven she pleaded with her father not to harm a calf he had won at a rodeo. By the age of 14, she had stopped eating meat entirely. These early experiences reflect the strong influence of compassion and concern for animal welfare in her upbringing, underscoring the values that shaped her early life.
| Birth Name | Cindy Kim Clerico |
| Birthplace | Helper, Utah |
| Childhood Move | Moved to California in 1964 |
| Early Compassion | Loved animals; vegetarian by 14 |
| Early Career | Makeup artist & stand-in actress |
| Production Start | Co-produced Whaledreamers (2006) |
| Documentary Work | Exec producer: After Kony, Sanctuary, The Game Changers |
| Philanthropy | President of Michael & Cindy Landon Foundation |
| Awards | LCA “Philanthropist of the Year” 2016 |
| Recent Projects | Exec producer: Pig Little Lies, Highway to Heaven reboot (2023) |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
Cindy Landon, documentary producer and philanthropist, known for films focused on animal welfare, health, and social impact. Cindy Landon began her career in Hollywood in the late 1970s, working behind the camera as a makeup artist on network television series. One of her first industry roles was on NBC’s Little House on the Prairie, a period drama starring Michael Landon.
During this time she also served as a stand-in actress on various sets, gaining on-set experience. These early jobs primarily in makeup and supporting roles provided her entry into the entertainment industry and laid the groundwork for her later shift into production work.
Building on her initial experience in television, Landon continued to work in various off-screen capacities through the 1980s and 1990s. She remained active in the makeup departments and occasionally appeared in minor acting roles, but her focus was on supporting the production side of projects.
Over time she honed skills in coordinating logistics, working with crews, and understanding the filmmaking process from behind the scenes. This period of steady industry work helped her develop professional relationships and a deep familiarity with production workflows, setting the stage for her eventual move into producing documentaries.
By the mid-2000s, Cindy Landon began to transition from makeup artistry into film production, with a focus on documentary work. She took on her first producing credit as a co-producer of Whaledreamers(2006), a feature documentary exploring cultural and environmental themes.
Following that, she moved into executive producing roles, starting with After Kony: Staging Hope(2011), a documentary about Ugandan former child soldiers using theatre to heal. As her career progressed, Landon concentrated on producing and executive producing films that aligned with her interests in wildlife, health, and social causes.
This shift marked a clear career pivot from behind-the-scenes studio work to leading documentary projects from a creative and managerial standpoint.
- Whaledreamers (2006)Landon co-produced this ecological documentary about an Aboriginal community and its connection to whales. The film weaves together environmental advocacy with spiritual storytelling, and it was Landon’s first major production credit.
- After Kony: Staging Hope (2011)Serving as executive producer, she helped bring to life this story of Ugandan war survivors. The film follows a group of abducted teens who use a theatre workshop to share their experiences. It premiered at festivals like the Starz Denver Film Festival and involved prominent collaborators including actors and activists.
- Sanctuary (2016)Landon was a producer on this animal-welfare documentary, which profiles chimpanzees rescued from abusive situations. In collaboration with the non-profit ARME (Animal Rescue, Media & Education), Sanctuaryhighlights the dedication of caregivers and the plight of primates, reflecting Landon’s commitment to animal causes.
- The Game Changers (2018)As one of the executive producers, she helped oversee this high-profile sports and nutrition documentary directed by Louie Psihoyos. The film, with James Cameron as executive producer, follows elite athletes exploring the benefits of plant-based diets. Its wide distribution and celebrity involvement brought significant attention to Landon’s work in the realm of health and environmental media.
Throughout her producing career, Landon has frequently collaborated with noted filmmakers and activists to develop impactful documentaries. She partnered with director Shannon Keith and her team on Sanctuary, providing production support and resources to highlight animal rescue stories.
In Staging Hope, Landon joined forces with producers like Melissa Fitzgerald and John Prendergast, contributing both funding and strategic guidance to the project. For The Game Changers, she worked alongside industry figures such as director Louie Psihoyos and executive producer James Cameron, helping to shape the film’s direction and message.
Landon has described her approach to filmmaking as hands-on; she has said that “you don’t do a documentary thinking you’re going to make money. For me, it’s all about creating awareness,” emphasizing her focus on social impact.
In each project, she took on responsibilities ranging from securing financing to advising on content, acting as a creative collaborator who bridges production and purpose.
In parallel with her producing work, Cindy Landon expanded her career into philanthropy and cause-driven initiatives. She co-founded and serves as President of the Michael & Cindy Landon Foundation, a private family foundation that funds medical, humanitarian, and educational causes.
Through this foundation, she has supported organisations such as Doctors Without Borders and Free Arts for Abused Children, as well as health-focused charities like the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
A passionate animal welfare advocate, Landon joined the board of the Eastwood Ranch Foundation founded by actress Alison Eastwood to help rescue and rehabilitate pets from high-kill shelters. She has also been an active member and sponsor of animal rights groups like Last Chance for Animals and Mercy For Animals, participating in their fundraisers and campaigns.
In the business realm she aligned her investments with her values for example, she invested in Chef Matthew Kenney’s vegan restaurant chain Plant Food + Wine. Explaining this move, Landon stated that it was “about saving a lot of animals,” underscoring her view that entrepreneurship and activism can go hand in hand.
Over the years her philanthropic engagement has involved organizing events, sitting on boards, and using her media skills to amplify issues of animal welfare, nutrition, and sustainability.
Cindy Landon’s career is marked by both her film credits and recognition for her advocacy. In 2016 she was honoured as “Philanthropist of the Year” by Last Chance for Animals, reflecting years of support for animal protection campaigns.
Her documentaries have achieved festival screenings and distribution deals that reached wide audiences, notably The Game Changerswhich was released globally on streaming platforms.
The Malibu media has profiled her as a leading supporter of vegan causes, highlighting her role in both entertainment and social ventures. As a longtime Malibu resident, she has become known locally as a philanthropist and filmmaker, with outlets like The Malibu Timesfeaturing her award and her investment in vegan businesses.
Through the Michael & Cindy Landon Foundation, her work has also been acknowledged by health and education charities. These milestones award honours, media features, and successful film releases underscore Landon’s reputation as an experienced producer who leverages her platform for causes she believes in.
As of the mid-2020s, Cindy Landon continues to be active as an independent producer and advocate. Her most recent major film credit remains The Game Changers(2018), but she has remained engaged in new media and nonprofit activities.
She frequently appears at benefit events for animal welfare and health organisations, drawing on her industry network to support fundraising efforts.
In recent years she has focused much of her energy on strategic philanthropy and social entrepreneurship for example, she maintains involvement with plant-based initiatives like Plant Food + Wineand looks for ways to integrate documentary storytelling with advocacy.
While specific new film projects have not been widely publicized, Landon’s career trajectory suggests she may pursue further documentaries or educational media that align with her interests. She also continues serving on nonprofit boards and advisory committees, using her experience to guide other cause-driven projects.
As of 2026, Cindy Landon’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed, and no official figure has been verified by major financial authorities. Her income is derived from her work as a film producer and actress. She has production credits on documentary films such as Sanctuaryand Whaledreamers, and she served as an executive producer on The Game Changers.
In addition, she has made business investments in plant-based ventures. For example, she has invested in the Plant Power Fast Food restaurant group and the vegan food company Outstanding Foods. However, the specific earnings from these activities have not been publicly disclosed.
Cindy Landon is an American film producer, former makeup artist, and philanthropist. She is known for her work on documentary films focused on social, environmental, and animal welfare issues.
She is best known for producing and executive producing documentaries such as Whaledreamers, Sanctuary, and The Game Changers. Her work often highlights health, sustainability, and animal rights topics.
She began her career in the late 1970s as a makeup artist in television. One of her early roles was working on Little House on the Prairie, where she gained industry experience.
Cindy Landon actively supports animal welfare, health, and humanitarian causes. She is involved with organizations such as Last Chance for Animals and has supported initiatives like Doctors Without Borders.
Yes, she co-founded the Michael & Cindy Landon Foundation, which funds medical, educational, and humanitarian efforts. She also participates in nonprofit boards and fundraising activities.