They were hard drinkers on set!
You couldn’t get away with this nowadays, at least not without a significant donation to a charity for A.A., but back in the day the Little House crew would drink three cases of beer each day. When filming ended each day the cast would bust out ‘the hard stuff’.
They Were Hard Drinkers On Set
Michael Landon had to dye his hair, often.
Pa Ingall went grey early. In fact, actor Michael Landon had to start dying his hair while he was in his 20’s. Dying and re-dying his hair would cause production delays on occasion as the sun scorched the color right out. Environmental education students are wincing at all of the chemical waste.
Michael Landon Had To Dye His Hair, Often.
Michael Landon loved his body.
This is the reason why we saw so very much of Pa Ingersoll shirtless. Landon loved going as natural as he could get and we’re sure the audience enjoyed it too, at least for a little while.
Michael Landon Loved His Body
Melissa Sue Anderson was isolated on set.
Melissa, who played the oldest sister Mary, was known on set as being quiet and slightly forlorn. Anderson rarely mingled with the cast and crew and barely came out of her shell for the duration of the show.
Melissa Sue Anderson Was Isolated On Set
The cast hated the clothing.
While we personally love the idea of going back to the sustainable development of period clothing, the cast on Little House on the Prairie actually hated it. The novelty of wearing such ornate costumes quickly began to wear on the stars thanks to the hot Cali temperatures.
The Cast Hated The Clothing
Nellie Oleson wore a wig!
Alison Arngrim began the show having her hair heat treated to get the proper curls. The process was so grueling, however, that they had to get a wig for Arngrim to wear.
Nellie Oleson Wore A Wig
Melissa Gilbert hated her romantic scenes!
It probably hurts fans to hear, but the actress who played Laura in the show hated being romantic on TV. When the show began Gilbert was only 15 years old and she was as sheltered as they came. Even a tiny kiss made her uncomfortable on camera.
Melissa Gilbert Hated Her Romantic Scenes
Melissa Gilbert had some hidden talents!
Okay, so maybe there weren’t that hidden. Melissa Gilbert ended up being trained to actually drive a stagecoach. It’s a skill that she took with her off of the stage!
Melissa Gilbert Had Some Hidden Talents
Michael Landon hurt set-chemistry with a sly romance.
Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert grew to be quite close, like father-daughter close, during the duration of the series. Toward the end of the show Michael Landon would leave his real life wife in order to marry the on-set makeup artist, Cindy Clerico. Melissa was so hurt by Landon’s infidelity that they quit socializing.
Michael Landon Hurt Set Chemistry With A Sly Romance
Producers were concerned with Laura and Manly’s chemistry.
Or should we say, they were worried by the lack thereof. Melissa’s conservative nature and her age gap with her romantic co-star were enough to set the production staff on edge. A secret memo even went around once which tried to brainstorm ways to make them seem ‘in love’.
Producers Were Concerned With Laura And Manly’s Chemistry
Walnut Grove was demolished!
Michael Landon refused to let Walnut Grove become a set for future projects and thus had it demolished. This is sort of the opposite to the idea of creating sustainable cities, like the one featured in Little House on the Prairie.
Walnut Grove Was Demolished
One Walnut Grove home was saved!
That home being, of course, the Ingall’s house. Unfortunately the home would be destroyed in a wildfire back in 2003. Guess it was meant to be destroyed.
One Walnut Grove Home Was Saved
Cast and crew would pass out on set.
Simi Valley, California is about as hot as it gets in the United States. Actors and crew members were known to pass out from heat exhaustion thanks to their wardrobe and the unrelenting sun.
Cast And Crew Would Pass Out On Set
Karen Grassle had to change her name to land the role.
Michael Landon hated Karen’s stage name (Karen Tree) so much that he stipulated her getting the role with a change in her credited name. Needless to say, Ma obliged.
Karen Grassle Had To Change Her Name To Land The Role
S.A.G regulations had quite the effect on Melissa Anderson!
At the time of filming Melissa had to include her middle name to get her credit. Thus: Melissa Sue Anderson was listed in the television show’s credits.
S.A.G Regulations Had Quite The Effect On Melissa Anderson
Charles Ingalls was quite the dad!
In fact, Mr. Ingalls landed at #4 on the ’50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time’ list which was curated by TV Guide. We’re sure Michael Landon wished his name landed a few spots higher on the list.
Charles Ingalls Was Quite The Dad
Landon was a dual threat on set.
Michael Landon was the star and soul of Little House on the Prairie. Landon was also a recurring director, helming the camera for an incredible 89 episodes.
Landon Was A Dual Threat On Set
Melissa Gilbert’s first kiss came on set.
Gilbert’s first kiss came while on a sound stage. Her age gap with Dean Butler, the actor behind Almanzo, made the young actress all the more nervous.
Melissa Gilbert’s First Kiss Came On Set
Carrie Ingalls was played by identical twins!
Labor laws for children are pretty rigorous. To get around these laws the production team hired a set of identical twins – Rachel and Sidney Bush, and rotated them as need be. This practice is exceedingly common in Hollywood.
Carrie Ingalls Was Played By Identical Twins
Michael Landon was a heavy smoker.
Wasn’t everybody a heavy smoker back in the ‘70s? Michael Landon was a chain smoker who would puff right up until action – frequently putting his cigarette out on the palm of his glove.
Michael Landon Was A Heavy Smoker
You won’t believe who appeared in the most episodes!
Nope, it wasn’t Michael Landon. Melissa Gilbert ended up appearing in 205 Little House episodes – more than any other actor on the show.
You Won’t Believe Who Appeared In The Most Episodes
Nelly Oleson is a historic brat.
According to the TV Guide, the character Nellie Oleson is the #3 ‘Biggest TV Brat’ of all time – as of their 2005 ranking. Ouch.
Nellie Oleson Is A Historic Brat
Little House on the Prairie is based on a true story.
The premise of the show comes from the real life of Laura Ingalls Wilder – with some obvious changes for the sake of entertainment.
Little House On The Prairie Is Based On A True Story
Alison and Steve had insane chemistry.
Nellie and Percival were by far the most passionate and energetic couple in the show. In fact, Alison Arngrim and Steve Tracy made their kisses over the top on purpose – just to make Melissa Gilbert uncomfortable.
Alison And Steve Had Insane Chemistry
Sean Penn made his acting debut on Little House.
Sean Penn kick started his career as a 13 year old child actor in the episode, The Voice of Tinker Jones. The episode was directed by Leo Penn – Sean’s father. Sean played an extra during a school scene.
Sean Penn Made His Acting Debut On Little House
Michael Landon was insecure about his height.
Landon was only 5’9 during Little House and he hated it. In order to stay taller than the rest of the cast he would wear 4 inch tall boots. Even with his height boost Landon would demand to be positioned on objects to appear even bigger.
Michael Landon Was Insecure About His Height
One actor appeared in the show with five different characters!
Actor E.J. Andre would appear on Little House a total of seven different times, playing five different roles. We suppose you can get away with that over 200+ episodes.
One Actor Appeared In The Show With Five Different Characters
Carrie’s big tumble was authentic!
In the opening credits you see Carrie take a tumble in the prairie. This was quite by accident but the director liked it so much he kept it.
Carrie’s Big Tumble Was Authentic
Every family dinner was beef stew.
No matter what Ma Ingalls said, family dinner was always just a heated up can Dinty Moore beef stew.
Every Family Dinner Was Beef Stew
Laura’s school lunches were actually just KFC!
Whenever Laura whipped out a chicken drumstick at school you can rest assured that it wasn’t from the Ingalls’ farm. These drumsticks were sourced from KFC.
Laura’s School Lunches Were Actually Just KFC
Melissa Gilbert would appear in a reality show!
Of course this happened at a much later date but it’s still a fun little fact. Melissa Gilbert would appear on a season of Dancing with the Stars.
Melissa Gilbert Would Appear In A Reality Show
Nellie’s wig was a nightmare.
Despite the wig being a step up from curling her hair, it still caused problems. Hairpins would routinely prick actress Alison Arngrim – sometimes even drawing blood!
Nellie’s Wig Was A Nightmare
Cancer got around the cast and crew.
Cancer obviously isn’t contagious, but a curse isn’t out of the question. Six actors and crew members ended up with cancer – including Michael Landon (pancreatic cancer). Allegedly this spike in cancer is due to a chemical dumping ground that was near the set.
Cancer Got Around The Cast And Crew
Alison Arngrim really wanted to be on the show.
Arngrim would go on to audition for three different roles before landing her character, Nellie. Persistence pays off, apparently.
Alison Arngrim Really Wanted To Be On The Show
Melissa Gilbert would date some huge Hollywood stars.
Gilbert wasn’t afraid of the limelight when she grew up. The Little House star would go on to date Tom Cruise, Scott Baio, Michael Landon Jr, and even Rob Lowe. She’s now on her third husband, Timothy Busfield.
Melissa Gilbert Would Date Some Huge Hollywood Stars
TV Guide.
Back in 1997, TV Guide went on to rank the two-part episode “I’ll Be Waving As You Drive Away” as 97 on its 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time. Not too shabby.
TV Guide.
Movie Pilot.
Did you know that the regular series was preceded by the two-hour pilot movie, which first aired back on March 30, 1974. Good move, we think!
Movie Pilot.
Notable guest stars.
Quite a few actors, some were well-known at the time or went on to become uber famous, guest-starred on the show. Including Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash, Vera Miles, Peter Billingsley, and Anne Archer to name a few.
Notable Guest Stars.
Bonanza.
David Rose wrote and conducted the show’s theme song, however the ending theme music originally appeared, incidentally, in a later episode of Michael Landon’s previous series, Bonanza.
Bonanza.
Worldwide Success.
During the late 70’s and early 80’s, La Casa de la Pradera was acutally one of Spanish Television’s most popular series! In 1976, Karen Grassle (Caroline Quiner Ingalls) won Spanish TV’s prestigious TP de Oro award for best foreign actress, and the series itself went on to won best foreign series. Additionally, Melissa Sue Anderson (Mary Ingalls) won the TP de Oro in 1980 as a result of her frequent visits to Spain.
Worldwide Success.
There was a musical.
The musical of the novel first premiered in the regional theater at the Guthrie, Minneapolis, Minnesota, which was followed by a tour in 2009-2010 of the United States, beginning at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey. Get this, the musical was very positively received! (Not so surprising.)
There Was A Musical
Tell All.
In 2010, Melissa Sue Anderson released a “tell all” autobiography entitled The Way I See It – A Look Back at My Life on Little House. The book focuses on her life especially during her years on the show, with behind-the-scenes stories about the show, the stars, the guest stars, and even crew members.
Tell All
Twins!
From seasons 1 to 8, twin sisters Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush portrayed the lovely Carrie Ingalls. During the course of the show however, Sidney broke her arm many times and had to wear it in a cast. Therefore Lindsay did most of the scenes as the character Carrie.
Twins!
Melissa Gilbert’s Political Run
In 2016, Melissa Gilbert ran for a seat in the U.S. Congress as a Democrat in Michigan’s 8th congressional district. Gilbert even won the Democratic primary! However, she dropped out later, citing health issues as the cause.
Melissa Gilbert’s Political Run
Besties
Alison Arngrim and her childhood friend Melissa Gilbert still remain in contact to this day! Despite their characters’s hatred for one another, that didn’t apply off screen.
Besties
Tough.
Although the show was that of a lightweight, family entertainment, it didn’t keep away from discussing serious issues. Some of the storylines even covered alcoholism, rape, drug addiction, and prejudice.
Tough.
Who was related?
Remember the “nasty” Willie Oleson who always was picking on Laura Ingalls? Well, turns out that he is actually the adopted brother of Melissa Gilbert! Go figure, it’s a small world.
Who Was Related
Recycled Episodes.
Michael Landon had reused several scripts which were originally written for Bonanza. Crazy. One episode was called “A Matter of Faith” but in reality, it was originally a Bonanza episode titled “A Matter of Circumstance.”
Recycled Episodes.
In the family.
Turns out that Alison Arngrim wasn’t the only famous family member. Her mother, Norma MacMillan, was actually the voice for various famous cartoons, such as “Casper The Friendly Ghost”. How cute!
In The Family.
Daddy’s Girl.
Etta Plum was portrayed by Leslie Landon, who is, ding-ding-ding, Michael Landon’s daughter! She had quite a few guest appearances on the show until she was finally cast as Etta Plum.
Daddy’s Girl
