This is a couple of years old, but I just found this and didn't see it anywhere else on the SO boards. Enjoy!!

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/galleries/where_are_they_now_little_house_on_the_prairie/where_are_they_now_little_house_on_the_prairie.html


Who knew that 26 years after leaving Walnut Grove, Laura Ingalls would be discussing Miley Cyrus' bong hits? And Melissa Gilbert may be a far cry from her 'Little House on the Prairie' alter ego, so what happened to the rest of the cast? Find out what the rest of the Ingalls family, and Laura's arch enemy, Nellie Oleson, are up to.

Michael Landon (Charles Ingalls)
The Queens-born actor managed to span his small screen fame across three decades. Prior to his role as Pa Charles Ingalls on 'Little House on the Prairie' -- he was also the show's executive producer -- he was known as Little Joe Cartwright on 'Bonanza' (1959-1973). After 'Little House' concluded in 1983, he maintain his celebrity as the star of 'Highway to Heaven.' Second only to Lucille Ball, reportedly, he appeared on the cover of TV Guide 22 times.

Landon also had a minor music career with his singles available on a 'Bonanza' compilation album. Prior to his death from pancreatic cancer on July 1, 1991, he was married and divorced thrice, leaving behind eight children, one of whom, Mark Fraser, died in 2009.

Melissa Gilbert (Laura Ingalls)
She was on the show for eight years, from the age of 10, in a role that landed her on VH1's list of 100 Greatest Kid Stars. At 21, she became the youngest person to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. While battling drug and alcohol addiction, the 46-year-old actress forged a career in the 1980s and 1990s as the Queen of TV movies and mini-series.

In 2001, Gilbert became president of the Screen Actors Guild, a post she held for four years. She has also played the role of Ma Ingalls in the musical version of 'Little House.' She met husband Bruce Boxleitner on the set of 'Babylon 5' and named their son in honor of Michael Landon.

Gilbert recently spoke out in support of Miley Cyrus when the Disney star was criticized for being filmed with a salvia bong, saying she thought the child star 'wanted to get caught.'

Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
Forever tied to Melissa Gilbert, Alison Arngrim tried out for the role of Laura Ingalls and was given the role of her arch enemy instead. As Nellie, the New York-born actress made VH1's Greatest Kid Stars, alongside Gilbert, with whom she remains friends to this day.

Following 'Little House,' Arngrim appeared on 'The Love Boat' and 'Fantasy Island' and became an AIDS activist following the death of Steve Tracy, who played her husband on 'Little House.' These days, she works as a stand-up comic and speaks out for victims of child abuse, speaking out in 2004 about her own history with incest.

Melissa Sue Anderson (Mary Ingalls)
Melissa Sue Anderson caused 'The Brady Bunch's' Bobby to see fireworks after a brief kiss and at the age of 11. Anderson joined Melissa Gilbert on screen in 'Little House on the Prairie,' which earned her an Emmy nod in 1978. The next year she won an Emmy for her role in an ABC Afterschool Special called 'Which Mother Is Mine?'

Following 'Little House,' Anderson worked as an associate producer on one of Michael Landon's last TV projects. Reportedly as mild mannered as her character, she romanced both Lorenzo Lamas and Frank Sinatra Jr. (he was more than twice her age) in her prime. She is now a stay-at-home mother living in Canada with her two children and husband, writer Michael Sloan.

Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls)
Known as Gabriel Tree following her first acting job in New York, Karen Grassle was reportedly convinced to revert to her original name by co-star Michael Landon when she landed the role of Caroline Ingalls on 'Little House.' While working on the show, she also played the wife of the main character in 'Harry's War.'

Following the end of 'Little House,' Grassle moved to Kentucky were she founded a theater company. She later returned to California and starred in 'Wyatt Earp' and a Canadian stage version of 'Driving Miss Daisy.' In 2008, she became the face of Premier Bathrooms, which supplies bath products for the elderly. She has been married three times and has one child, a daughter named Lily.

Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush (Carrie Ingalls)
The second youngest members of the 'Little House' cast, the Greenbush sisters first appeared on the show at the tender age of 4. Lindsay is now a single mother and, besides acting, has an interest in amateur boxing. Sidney also sustains an interest in acting but is also involved in horse competitions and sells designer jewelry on her fan site. She was initially married to a horse breeder, but he committed suicide at the age of 55, after telling Sidney he wanted a divorce.

Wendi and Brenda Turnbaugh (Baby Grace)
Wendi and Brenda Turnbaugh appear to be the most chuffed about their 'Little House on the Prairie' days. They landed their roles on the show -- at the age of 1 -- through a friendship between their grandparents and the producer and casting director.

The twin sisters recently set up a homepage (wendiandbrenda.com) to share memories of the show and Baby Grace, who appeared on the show four seasons. Both sisters live close together, have kids and work part time.

Kevin Hagen (Dr. Hiram Baker)
Kevin Hagen only started acting at the age of 27 after working in Germany as a young man. At one point he considered being a lawyer but went into acting instead. His most famous role was as the empathetic Doc Baker on 'Little House.' He reprised the role in a one-man show entitled 'A Playful Dose of Prairie Wisdom.'

In 2004, Hagen was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Before dying a year later, he claimed to the National Enquirer that Michael Landon had not given the cast its fair share of money from the show.

Anne Archer (Kate Thorvald)

Kate Thorvald was Nels and Harriet Oleson's niece who paid a visit to Walnut Grove. After falling out of her stagecoach during the visit, Kate was rushed to Dr. Baker's. The doctor was quick to fall for the young Anne Archer character - but age prevailed.

Though her guest appearance was short on 'Little House on the Prairie,' her career has been anything but. Archer took her acting chops to a new level, being nominated for an Oscar for her role as Beth Gallagher in 'Fatal Attraction' in 1987. In the 1990's she was in 'Patriot Games' and 'Clear and Present Danger' alongside Harrison Ford. Archer won a Golden Globe for 'Short Cuts' in 1993. Lately she's hit the TV screen with parts in 'Ghost Whisperer' and 'Privileged.' She's also a declared Scientologist.

Allison Balson (Nancy Oleson)
Allison Balson appeared on 'Little House' from the age of 12 to 14. She went on to become the valedictorian of her high school. Then she earned a Bachelor's degree from Princeton and a Master's from Trinity College in Ireland. She starred in the Polish film, 'Bialy smok' in 1987 and appeared in 'Best Seller' that same year.

At the age of 41, she is now known as a folk singer and singer-songwriter having released her first alt-rock/country album, 'FIRST.' She is a part of the group Allison and Stone.

Matthew Laborteaux (Albert Quinn Ingalls)
Born with autism, Matthew Laborteaux didn't let that stop his career aspirations. Following his role as Albert Quinn on 'Little House,' his most prominent role was as a young genius in Wes Craven's 1986 film 'Deadly Friend.' He also appeared on 'The Love Boat,' 'Highway to Heaven' and 'Night Court,' not to mention several stints in made-for-TV features.

These days Laborteaux works as a voice-over artist. He can be heard in flicks like 'Bride Wars,' 'Mulan,' and the TV series 'Spider-Man.'

Dean Butler (Almanzo James Wilder)
Prior to joining the 'Little House' family as Laura Ingalls' handsome husband, Canadian actor Dean Butler starred in the made-for-TV drama 'Forever,' based on Judy Blume's infamous novel. He also appeared in guest spots in the likes of 'Murder, She Wrote' and 'Who's the Boss?'.

More recently Butler starred as Hank Summers in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer.' He currently produces documentaries and TV shows through his company, Peak Moore Enterprises, Inc., and is married to Katherine Cannon, who played Donna Martin's mother on 'Beverly Hills 90210.'

Victor French and Bonnie Bartlett (Isaiah Edwards and Grace Snider Edwards)
Victor French began his TV career as a stuntman in westerns then graduated to bit parts in 'Gunsmoke,' in which he reportedly appeared 23 times. He and Michael Landon got along famously and often worked together, appearing with the actor in 'Bonanza,' Highway to Heaven' and 'Little House.' Following his stint on 'Little House,' French went on to star in 'Carter County.' He passed away from lung cancer in 1989.

Bonnie Bartlett played French's wife on 'Little House,' though she was best known for her subsequent role as Ellen Craig on 'St. Elsewhere.' She and her husband, William Daniels, both won Emmys on the same night in 1986 for roles on the same show. They acted opposite one another again in 'Boy Meets World.' The 81-year-old actress remains an active member of the Screen Actors Guild.

Dabbs Greer (Reverend Robert Alden)
Best remembered as Reverend Alden on 'Little House,' Robert William 'Dabbs' Greer was a ubiquitous supporting cast member on the small screen though he was later typecast as a minister, performing marriages on 'The Dick Van Dyke Show' and 'The Brady Bunch,' and healing the cast of 'Picket Fences.' Most recently, in 1999, he appeared in 'Green Mile' as the older version of Tom Hanks. He died in 2007, having suffered from a kidney and heart ailment.

Merlin Olsen (Jonathan Garvey)
Merlin Olsen is famous for being a fearless NFL player with the L.A. Rams until 1976, which earned him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982.

After his football career, he went on to play farmer Jonathan Garvey on 'Little House' and then went on to star in NBC's short-lived series 'Father Murphy' in the early '80s, in which he played a traveling priest. Olsen's deep, rich voice and sincerity made him a success both as an actor and in the broadcast booth, where he offered insights to the game he played so well for so long.

In 2009, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma and filed a lawsuit against NBC and 20th Century Fox for allegedly exposing him to asbestos. Olsen passed away in 2010 at the age of 69.

Kyle Richards, Todd Bridges and Shannen Doherty (Supporting Cast)
Kyle Richards had a bit part as Mr. Edwards' adopted daughter, Alicia Sanderson Edwards, on 'Little House.' Prior to that she appeared in 'Halloween' as one of the kids Jamie Lee Curtis babysits. She recently appeared as Nurse Dori in 'ER' but the 41-year-old is perhaps best known as an aunt to Nicky and Paris Hilton. She currently stars in hit series, 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.'

Todd Bridges appeared in a small role on 'Little House' but the child actor went on to gain fame as Willis Jackson on 'Diff'rent Strokes.' He has appeared on several competition shows including 'Fear Factor,' 'Celebrity Championship Wrestling' and 'Skating with Celebrities.' Earlier this year he released the book 'Killing Willis' in which he discussed his drug addiction and brushes with the law.

Shannen Doherty won the role of Jenny Wilder on 'Little House' at the age of 11. As a teen, she went on to star in 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' and 'Heathers,' but she is most famous for her role as Brenda Walsh on 'Beverly Hills, 90210,' to which she returned last year for show's new spin-off series. The 39-year-old actress is also well known for her role as witch Prue Halliwell in 'Charmed.'

Very cool Monika! I had no idea Shannen Doherty was on Little House?!

Yup, she was on the last season aka A New Beginning.

Yup, she was on the last season aka A New Beginning.


very cool!

In real life, there is no love lost between Melissa Gilbert and Shannen Doherty - mainly because Shannen slept with Melissa's first husband Bo Brinkman - when Melissa was still married to him!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: This according to Melissa's book, Prairie Tale.

Anyway, here are some pics of Shannen on LH:

In real life, there is no love lost between Melissa Gilbert and Shannen Doherty - mainly because Shannen slept with Melissa's first husband Bo Brinkman - when Melissa was still married to him!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: This according to Melissa's book, Prairie Tale.

Wow I must have missed that part in the book, Monika! :crazy: But in all honesty I really didn't care for her book that much, so I didn't bother finishing it.

But anyway, thanks for posting all these articles and pics! Awesome to know what the stars are up to now, but it's sad to see how many have passed away. I noticed that Mrs. and Mr. Olson weren't on that list, though. Or Miss Beadle for that matter. Just sayin'. ;)

Yeah, why do they include Anne Archer and Todd Bridges, who made one-time guest appearances, but leave out Katherine MacGregor (Mrs. Oleson); Richard Bull (Mr. Oleson); Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle); Jonathan Gilbert (Willie Oleson); Linwood Boomer (Adam Kendall); Hersha Parady (Alice Garvey); Patrick Laborteaux (Andy Garvey); Ketty Lester (Hester Sue); Jason Bateman ( James Cooper) and Missy Francis (Cassandra Cooper). :confused:

It was an interesting article though!!

Jonathan Gilbert seems to be the one who flies under everyone's radar - no one seems to know where he is these days, including Melissa. As for not tracking down the others, your guess is as good as mine. :confused:

Here's another "where are they now?" article from ABC news:

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/house-prairie-melissa-gilbert-cast-now/story?id=14386742#

By LUCHINA FISHER
Aug. 26, 2011

Melissa Gilbert/Laura Ingalls

Melissa Gilbert, who famously played Laura Ingalls on that quaint family drama "Little House on the Prairie," is dealing with her own real-life family drama.

Gilbert, 47, filed for divorce from Bruce Boxleitner, 61, moving to end their 16-year marriage five months after they announced their separation, according to The Associated Press.

The petition filed earlier this week cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason. Gilbert is also seeking joint custody of their 15-year-old son, Michael Boxleitner, named after Gilbert's "Little House" creator and star Michael Landon, who played her father.

"We have loved each other for a very long time," Gilbert said in March, "and we share four incredible sons together."

In addition to Michael, Boxleitner and Gilbert have one son, Dakota, from her previous marriage to actor Bo Brinkman, and two other sons, Sam and Lee, from Boxleitner's first marriage to actress Kathryn Ogilvy.

Gilbert's sister, "The Talk" co-host Sara Gilbert, 36, has also split from her partner of 10 years, Allison Adler, 44, according to People. They will share joint custody of their two children, Levi and Sawyer.

A former president of the Screen Actors' Guild, Melissa Gilbert grew up in a Hollywood family. After starring in dozens of television commercials, she landed the role of Laura Ingalls on "Little House" at age 8. Michael Landon became a surrogate dad to her when her own father died.

By her late teens, Gilbert rebelled against her perfect prairie girl image. She describes her battles with drug and alcohol abuse and co-dependence on men in her 2009 memoir "Prairie Tale."

Gilbert, who was once engaged to Rob Lowe, also dated John Cusack, Billy Idol and Tom Cruise.

Known as the "Queen of television movies and mini-series," Gilbert has starred in over 45 of them since the mid-'70s. She can also be seen touting hair care products on late-night infomercials.

Here's what's become of her former "Prairie" co-stars since the show ended.

Alison Arngrim/Nellie Oleson

Laura Ingalls and her nemesis Nellie Oleson may have scrapped on screen, but off camera Alison Arngrim, who played Nellie, was best friends with Gilbert.

"I had an intense, wonderful friendship with Melissa, who became a sister to me," Arngrim, now 49, told ABCNews.com last year.

Arngrim, who played Nellie during the series' original seven-year run, still gets e-mails from "Prairie" fans who say the show became their substitute family during their "horrible childhoods."

"Well, it was the same for me," she said.

In her recent book, "Confessions Of A Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson And Learned To Love Being Hated," Arngrim revealed how she was sexually abused as a child, and how the role of bad girl Nellie helped her to heal. She also shared behind-the-scenes tales of one of the world's most beloved series.

Arngrim wrote that she was abused by a family member for nearly three years starting at age 6. The abuse made her, an already diminutive girl, even more shy and withdrawn.

That changed when Arngrim got the part of scheming brat Nellie Oleson at age 11.

"People were suddenly intimidated by me," Arngrim said.

Other times, she was reviled like her character. Since age 11, Angrim has been called "bitch." She's been spat on, pelted with garbage and beaten up.

But thanks to Nellie, Arngrim found an outlet for the rage that had been building since her abuse -- a secret she kept from her parents until her twenties.

"When you're sexually abused you have a lot of anger," she said. "Usually victims turn the pain and rage on themselves. So to have an outlet where one could express this anger outwardly and openly was a fantastic opportunity."

Arngrim is grateful for Nellie. "Instead of her ruining my life, she gave me my life."

Coming from a show business family -- her father, Thor Arngrim, managed Liberace and her mother, Norma Macmillan, provided the voice for Casper the Friendly Ghost and Gumby -- Arngrim got to experience "normal family life" on the "Little House" set.

Michael Landon/Charles Ingalls

Michael Landon, who played Charles "Pa" Ingalls and produced the series, was very much the set's father figure.

"He saw to it that the rules were obeyed," Arngrim said. "We said 'yes, sir' and 'yes, ma'am.' We had to know our lines. We were held to a higher standard."

At the same time, Landon was nothing like the prairie dad he played.

"He was divorced and married several times," Arngrim said. "He lived in Bel Air and Malibu, attended the Playboy Jazz Festival, drove a Ferrari, smoked and drank. He had this wild sense of humor on set that really shocked people."

For one thing, he had an "unsaintly" habit of showing up without underwear on the set.

Landon was a fixture on the small screen. In 28 years, he starred in three successful television series: "Bonanza" in the '60s and early '70s, "Little House" in the '70s and early '80s, and "Highway to Heaven" in the '80s.

He married three times and was father to nine children and stepchildren. In April 1991, he was diagnosed with an inoperable form of pancreatic cancer. Appearing on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson, he asked his fans to pray for him.

He died July 1, 1991 at age 54.

Melissa Sue Anderson/Mary Ingalls

Melissa Sue Anderson, who played Gilbert's on-screen sister Mary, wanted nothing to do with Gilbert and Arngrim.

"Melissa and I were wild and fun loving," Arngrim said. "Melissa Sue just looked at us and shook her head."

Anderson won the role of Mary at age 11 after appearing in several television commercials and guest starring on "The Brady Bunch." She left "Little House" in 1982 and appeared in a few television series, including "The Equalizer" and "Murder, She Wrote."

After a short romance with Lorenzo Lamas and Frank Sinatra, Jr., Anderson, now 47, married television writer and producer Michael Sloan. They have two children and live in Canada.

Anderson has continued to act occasionally, mostly in television movies. Her most recent role was playing the first lady in the 2006 NBC miniseries "10.5: Apocalypse."

Katherine MacGregor/Mrs. Oleson

Katherine MacGregor is still beloved for her comedic role as Mrs. Oleson on "Little House."

"That woman's a genius," Arngrim told ABCNews.com. "She's absolutely hilarious."

Now 85, she retired from acting after the series ended. Arngrim said she still takes in stray animals and people and "she's still bossing everyone around."

This has been a fun thread to read through. It's been great catching up with the stars of this classic series. Thank-you Monika for posting all this!

Here's another "where are they now?" article from ABC news:

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/house-prairie-melissa-gilbert-cast-now/story?id=14386742#

By LUCHINA FISHER
Aug. 26, 2011

Melissa Gilbert/Laura Ingalls

Melissa Gilbert, who famously played Laura Ingalls on that quaint family drama "Little House on the Prairie," is dealing with her own real-life family drama.

Gilbert, 47, filed for divorce from Bruce Boxleitner, 61, moving to end their 16-year marriage five months after they announced their separation, according to The Associated Press.

The petition filed earlier this week cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason. Gilbert is also seeking joint custody of their 15-year-old son, Michael Boxleitner, named after Gilbert's "Little House" creator and star Michael Landon, who played her father.

"We have loved each other for a very long time," Gilbert said in March, "and we share four incredible sons together."

In addition to Michael, Boxleitner and Gilbert have one son, Dakota, from her previous marriage to actor Bo Brinkman, and two other sons, Sam and Lee, from Boxleitner's first marriage to actress Kathryn Ogilvy.

Gilbert's sister, "The Talk" co-host Sara Gilbert, 36, has also split from her partner of 10 years, Allison Adler, 44, according to People. They will share joint custody of their two children, Levi and Sawyer.

A former president of the Screen Actors' Guild, Melissa Gilbert grew up in a Hollywood family. After starring in dozens of television commercials, she landed the role of Laura Ingalls on "Little House" at age 8. Michael Landon became a surrogate dad to her when her own father died.

By her late teens, Gilbert rebelled against her perfect prairie girl image. She describes her battles with drug and alcohol abuse and co-dependence on men in her 2009 memoir "Prairie Tale."

Gilbert, who was once engaged to Rob Lowe, also dated John Cusack, Billy Idol and Tom Cruise.

Known as the "Queen of television movies and mini-series," Gilbert has starred in over 45 of them since the mid-'70s. She can also be seen touting hair care products on late-night infomercials.

Here's what's become of her former "Prairie" co-stars since the show ended.
Of the 3 Gilbert siblings, Melissa, Jonathan and Sara (there maybe more), I thought I remembered 1 or 2 of them were adopted. I think either Melissa or Sara was, anybody know?

Of the 3 Gilbert siblings, Melissa, Jonathan and Sara (there maybe more), I thought I remembered 1 or 2 of them were adopted. I think either Melissa or Sara was, anybody know?
Melissa and Jonathon were adopted by Barbara Cowan and her first husband Paul Gilbert. After Paul's death Barbara Cowan remarried to Harold Abeles and subsequently gave birth to Sara who took Paul Gilberts last name as her stage name when she started acting.

I can't even imagine "Half-Pint" dating Billy Idol!

I can't even imagine "Half-Pint" dating Billy Idol!

Wow, what would the citizens of Walnut Grove think? :crazy: :eek:

Now THAT'S my idea of a great LHOP episode. :eek: :crazy: :lol:

Wow, what would the citizens of Walnut Grove think? :crazy: :eek:
.....especially Harriet!!! :lol:

.....especially Harriet!!! :lol:

Hey, just her reaction ALONE would make this MUST SEE TV. :rofl: