<P> In 1982, French appeared in the film An Officer and a Gentleman as the stepfather of protagonist Paula Pokrifki, played by Debra Winger . </P> <P> French is most widely known for costarring with Michael Landon on two television series . He appeared on Little House on the Prairie (1974--1977), (1981--1984) as Isaiah Edwards (French also directed some episodes of Little House). He appeared on Highway to Heaven (1984--1989) as Mark Gordon . </P> <P> From 1977--79, he left Little House to star as a small - town Georgia police chief in Carter Country . When the series ended, the actor was surprised that Landon was agreeable to his returning to the character of Mr. Edwards . French appeared in Episode 8 of Season 6, in Episode 8 of Season 8, then returned full - time, starting with Episode 19 of Season 8 . </P> <P> According to interviews with Cindy Landon, and Kent and Susan McCray on the A&E DVD release of Highway to Heaven Season 3, French and Michael Landon were "crazy about each other", indicating that they always made each other laugh and enjoyed each other's company . Cindy Landon mentions that French was a quiet and reclusive kind of guy as opposed to Landon's outgoing personality . </P>

Song of the wild west highway to heaven cast