It Was Relatable
One of the reasons as to why Little House on the Prairie was so famous was because it explored issues that weren’t addressed on other television shows at the time. Topics such as prejudice and alcoholism were only a few of the relatable themes within the series.
It Was Relatable
Caroline Ingalls played by Karen Grassle
This was Karen’s first significant acting role. However, just from watching her on TV, you would’ve thought she had been acting her whole life. A strong actress needed to portray Caroline Ingalls, and Karen seemed to have that quality. She was the glue that held the show together for many years.
Meet Caroline Ingalls AKA Karen Grassle
Where Is Karen Grassle Now?
Karen continued to act after Little House on the Prairie ended, and she is still performing today. The turn of the millennium has led her to explore her love of theater, and she was the face of Premier Bathrooms.
Where Is Karen Grassle Now
Mary Ingalls played by Melissa Sue Anderson
Melissa already had a well-established name in the acting world when she took on the role at 12 years old as Mary Ingalls. She had already been featured in The Brady Bunch and Bewitched.
Meet Mary Ingalls AKA Melissa Sue Anderson
Where Is Melissa Sue Anderson Now?
Melissa was almost 20 by the time Little House on the Prairie wrapped up, and there was no sign of her career slowing down. She now has more than 57 movie credits to her name.
Where Is Melissa Sue Anderson Now
Jenny Wilder played by Shannen Doherty
Later turned teen idol Shannen Doherty took on the role of Jenny Wilder in the final season of the show. She was only 11 years old at the time, and it was one of the first milestones in her career.
Meet Jenny Wilder AKA Shannen Doherty
Where Is Shannen Doherty Now?
Shannen Doherty became one of the biggest stars to come out of Little House on the Prairie, as she got the opportunity to star in Beverly Hills 90210. More recently, she’s become a spokesperson for breast cancer, after battling with the illness herself.
Where Is Shannen Doherty Now
Nellie Oleson played by Alison Arngrim
Alison took on the role of Laura Ingalls’ enemy. Nellie played a massive role in the entire show and helped launch Alison’s career in entertainment.
Meet Nellie Oleson AKA Alison Arngrim
Where Is Alison Arngrim Now?
Alison continued to act and even moved into the stand-up comedy arena sporadically. She also revealed that she was a victim of childhood abuse and has dedicated a lot of her time and efforts to help those affected.
Where Is Alison Arngrim Now
Almanzo Wilder played by Dean Butler
Hearts around the country were captured by the young Dean Butler when he played the role of Laura’s future husband. This was his second credited acting performance, behind appearing on a TV show called Forever.
Meet Almanzo Wilder AKA Dean Butler
Where Is Dean Butler Now?
His role in Little House on the Prairie sparked a very successful career for Dean. He appeared in various TV shows and films. One of his most notable performances has been playing Buffy’s father, Hank Summers, in the cult fantasy show called Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Where Is Dean Butler Now
James Ingalls played by Jason Bateman
Another big name that made their start on Little House on the Prairie is Jason Bateman. He played the role of James Ingalls in season seven and eight of the show. He played the orphan that was adopted by the Ingalls family.
Meet James Ingalls AKA Jason Bateman
Where Is Jason Bateman Now?
Jason’s career has flourished since the end of Little House on the Prairie. He is well-known as being the lead in TV series Arrested Development. His broad range has also allowed him to star in movies such as The Gift, Tropic Thunder, Identity Thief, and Horrible Bosses.
Where Is Jason Bateman Now
Alicia Edwards played by Kyle Richards
Kyle landed the role of Alicia when she was six years old. However, this wasn’t her first role. She was first introduced on-screen in an episode of Police Woman. She also performed in various other films and TV shows while playing Alicia.
Meet Alicia Edwards AKA Kyle Richards
Where Is Kyle Richards Now?
Kyle’s career has sprouted in several directions. However, she became very well-known after appearing on The New Housewives of Beverly Hills. She also appeared on Down To Earth and the medical drama ER.
Where Is Kyle Richards Now
Annie Crane played by Madeline Stowe
Not many people know that actress Madeline Stowe had a feature in Little House on the Prairie. She appeared in one episode in season seven. This was one of her first roles before she could go on and star in mainstream films.
Meet Annie Crane AKA Madeline Stowe
Where Is Madeline Stowe Now?
Since appearing in the show, she has gotten the opportunity to star through various projects. She has recently transitioned from films to starring in TV shows and is well-known as Victoria Grayson in Revenge.
Where Is Madeline Stowe Now
Charles Ingalls played by Michael Landon
Michael was known for his role in Bonanza before starring as Charles Ingalls. He was also writing and directing at the same time as starring in Bonanza.
Meet Charles Ingalls AKA Michael Landon
Michael Landon After The Show
Michael was 54 years old when he sadly passed away from pancreatic cancer. However, his legacy includes directing, writing, producing, and acting remains.
Michael Landon After The Show
Was Sean Penn in Little House on the Prairie?
There were a vast amount of guest stars throughout the years on Little House on the Prairie. Most of these guest stars used the show as a stepping stone to help promote their career. Sean Penn was one of them, and he made his appearance in episode 112 as an uncredited school kid.
Was Sean Penn Little House On The Prairie
Where Is Sean Penn Now?
Since appearing on the show, Sean has evolved to become one of the most famous faces in the entertainment industry. He is not only an actor but a filmmaker too.
Where Is Sean Penn Now
Albert Ingalls played by Matthew Labyorteaux
Matthew is best known for his role portraying Albert Ingalls. This was a massive achievement as it was his breakthrough role. Unlike most of the characters, Albert Ingalls doesn’t appear in the semi-autobiographical books called Little House on the Prairie.
Meet Albert Ingalls AKA Matthew Labyorteaux
Where Is Matthew Labyorteaux Now?
Matthew went on to have many guest appearances on various TV shows. He was also driven into voiceover work. Some of his work was featured in the Disney movie Mulan.
Where Is Matthew Labyorteaux Now?
Isaiah Edwards played by Victor French
Victor followed in his actor father’s footsteps and began working as a stuntman. However, his most notable role was portraying Isaiah Edwards.
Meet Isaiah Edwards AKA Victor French
Victor French After The Show
Victor smoked for his enter life and passed away from advanced lung cancer after being diagnosed two months before. This was a few years after Little House on the Prairie wrapped up.
Victor French After The Show
Etta Plum played by Leslie Landon
Leslie Landon was Michael Landon’s daughter and had a few guest appearances alongside her father. She eventually went on to gain a regular role as Etta Plum.
Meet Etta Plum AKA Leslie Landon
Where Is Leslie Landon Now?
Leslie didn’t inherit the acting bug despite her father being an actor, writer, producer, and director. She focused on her studies instead and achieved a MA in clinical psychology after receiving her BA in psychology.
Where Is Leslie Landon Now
Laura Ingalls played by Melissa Gilbert
Melissa gained the role of Laura after beating 500 other actresses that were in line for it. She was nine years old at the time, and much of the show’s focus was on Laura’s growth and development.
Meet Laura Ingalls AKA Melissa Gilbert
Where Is Melissa Gilbert Now?
Melissa has continued to work as an actress and has been featured in movies like Heart of the Storm and Diary of Anne Frank and a variety of TV shows.
Where Is Melissa Gilbert Now
Willie Oleson played by Jonathan Gilbert
Jonathan portrayed Willie Oleson, who was the brother of Laura Ingalls’ nemesis, Nellie Oleson. He gained this role at the mere age of seven years old.
Meet Willie Oleson AKA Jonathan Gilbert
Where Is Jonathan Gilbert Now?
Jonathan Gilbert didn’t explore the acting world that much after his role as Willie Oleson. He is the adopted brother of Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura Ingalls. They don’t speak anymore for unknown reasons, and he moved far away from Hollywood and is working as a stockbroker.
Where Is Jonathan Gilbert Now
Grace Snyder Edwards played by Bonnie Bartlett
Bonnie’s father tried his hand at acting, but failed and became an insurance salesman. Bonnie followed in her father’s footsteps and took up acting classes, which led to her landing the role of Grace Snyder Edwards.
Meet Grace Snyder Edwards AKA Bonnie Bartlett
Where Is Bonnie Bartlett Now?
Bonnie went on to star in a variety of TV shows and films. She even picked up back-to-back Emmy awards for her role in St. Elsewhere.
Where Is Bonnie Bartlett Now
Eliza Jane Wilder played by Lucy Lee Flippin
Lucy Lee Flippin is best known for her role as Eliza Jane Wilder in Little House on the Prairie. However, her role wasn’t as significant on the TV show as it was in the books.
Meet Eliza Jane Wilder AKA Lucy Lee Flippin
Where Is Lucy Lee Flippin Now?
Her role as Eliza Jane Wilder still stands out among the rest. However, she was able to land a few TV appearances. Later on in her career, she was given the opportunity to perform at the Los Angeles’ Geffen Playhouse.
Where Is Lucy Lee Flippin Now
Cassandra Cooper Ingalls played by Melissa Francis
The kid star had her first appearance in a Johnson & Johnson commercial at just six months old. She later gained her role as Cassandra Cooper Ingalls.
Meet Cassandra Cooper Ingalls AKA Melissa Francis
Where Is Melissa Francis Now?
Melissa only had a minimal amount of roles after playing Cassandra. She later went onto television journalism and is the primary weekday anchor for FNC’s America’s News.
Where Is Melissa Francis Now
Harriet Oleson played by Katherine MacGregor
The comedic portray of Harriet Oleson is Katherine’s best-known role. However, she did have a vast amount of television, film, and theater credits before landing the role.
Meet Harriet Oleson AKA Katherine MacGregor
Katherine MacGregor After The Show
Katherine chose to withdraw from acting after Little House on the Prairie ended. Instead, she devoted her time to practicing Hinduism and taught children to act. She sadly passed away in 2018.
Where Is Katherine MacGregor Now
The Reunion
Many successful stars steamed from the show while others retreated from the spotlight once Little House on the Prairie wrapped up. However, they all share a bond from working closely together for so long. The children grew up together, and several meaningful relationships were formed as a result of the show.
The Reunion
