Why did Martin Landau leave Mission: Impossible?

Actor Martin Landau had left the team of Mision: Impossible due to contract differences.

The Mission: Impossible TV series was a classic spy drama that revolved around various spies and secret agents working under the Impossible Missions Force (IMF). Broadcasted on CBS from 1966 to 1973, the series was created by Bruce Geller. With the IMF being in the central part of the series, the agents are tasked to handle highly sensitive and dangerous operations. The series is known for its intricate plots, espionage elements, and elaborate disguises.

Each episode starts with the IMF leader receiving a recorded briefing outlining the mission, followed by the iconic phrase: “Your mission, should you choose to accept it…” As the series goes on, the IMF team is tasked to devise and execute complex plans, often involving deception, technology, and psychological manipulation to outmaneuver their adversaries.

Why did Martin Landau leave Mission: Impossible?

Actor Martin Landau quit the Mission: Impossible series due to contract differences he had with the production house. The actor was part of the series for a total of 3 seasons from 1966 to 1969. Martin had initially declined his deal with the show as he did not want it to interfere with his movie career. Due to this, Landau was credited to appear on the show as a special guest for the first season.

From the second season, Martin Landau was credited for being a full-time actor but was contracted on a year-by-year basis rather than the then-standard five-year contracts that get issued for every actor. Through his 2nd and 3rd seasons, the actor had to perform his role with a wide range of accents as the master of disguise. After the 3rd season, the actor decided to leave the franchise as he believed that working in the series full-time would jeopardize his movie career.

What was Martin Landau’s role in Mission: Impossible?

For the first 3 seasons of the Mission: Impossible series, Martin Landau played the role of Rollin Hand, who was one of the central IMF agents and was tasked to be an actor and disguise expert. Earning the title of "The Man of a Million Faces." Rolling Hand’s character was known to make quick changes in appearance throughout the series. An expert at sleight of hand and pickpocketing, Hand was also highly knowledgeable and his language and cultural skills were formidable. Rollin Hand has successfully impersonated a left-handed person, doing all gestures and reflexive actions left-handed while Rollin himself was right-handed.

The character has also built a reputation as a lady's man, charming multiple ladies in the series. One of his main relationships hinted at in the series was his romantic attachment to Cinnamon Carter.

Also read: Why did Peter Graves leave Mission Impossible?