David's Little House Star Profiles and Trivia

John Newman Mitchum, born in 1919, was the September child of a Norwegian mother and an Irish/Blackfoot father whom he never knew, as he was killed in a tragic train yard accident in the same year.. His two-years-older brother Robert filled the role as best as he could, while their older sister Annette studied the lively arts and eventually joined a traveling vaudeville team. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the young family moved to Rising Sun, Delaware, where farm life didn't agree with the young boys.

Scarce opportunities took them to New York City, where the streets of Hell's kitchen taught the brothers to fight, a skill they developed so well they earned the moniker 'them ornery Mitchum boys'. Eventually, when the Great Depression deepened, the family was forced to separate with the intention of meeting up with sister Annette, who had married a sailor and moved to California, changing her name to Julie. The teenage boys set out with little more than clean handkerchiefs to find their way across the country by the only means they could: hitchhiking and riding the rails. Their somewhat aimless journey took them to places they had never been; where their Eastern accents were not welcome, so they quickly learned that accurately mimicking the local dialect would keep them out of trouble--some of the time! While brother Robert fairly quickly discovered his place in Hollywood legend, John sought his destiny on the high seas, professionally boxing, or conducting a choir. When the opportunity for acting came along John found his perfect niche as a character actor, mostly playing heavies since he was an imposing figure of a man. John's roles had him playing alongside a wide range of celebrities, from Humphrey Bogart in "Knock On Any Door" (1949) to Gladys Knight in "Pipe Dreams" (1976), Clint Eastwood of "Dirty Harry" (1971) to John Wayne in "Chisum" (1970), appearing in 58 films overall.

It was during production of "Chisum" that John Wayne offered his voice for an anthology of John's poetry that seeks to uplift American culture, "America, Why I Love Her", a recording for which Mitchum was nominated for a Grammy in 1973. John was a consummate storyteller (as was his brother Robert), and with his fascination with American history in particular he was ever-ready to regale anyone with a thoughtful, interesting, and insightful anecdote, especially if a guitar was available.

It was the wedding of music and history that brought him to create the recording "Our Land, Our Heritage" with Dan Blocker; big "Hoss" from "Bonanza", in 1964. Mitchum had some recurring roles throughout his television career; such as "Pickalong" from "Riverboat", or "Hoffenmueller" from "F-Troop", over 150 appearances in all during the span of a half-century career. The brothers Mitchum legacy has been well-preserved in his often hilarious autobiography, "Them Ornery Mitchum Boys", published in 1989. The subjects range from brother Robert escaping a Georgia chain-gang to his "poontang" interview; from John surviving an attacking whale on a three-masted schooner to his adventures riding the rails, developing a great love and respect for the American people.

He died in 2001 in Los Angeles at the age of 82.
Younger brother of actor Robert Mitchum and Julie Mitchum.
Wrote the poetry for John Wayne's album America - Why I Love Her.
Sang folk songs on the album Our Land - Our Heritage, with introductions by Dan Blocker.
Well known as Frank DiGiorgio (Dirty Harry's partner) in the first three Dirty Harry films (Dirty Harry (1971), Magnum Force (1973) and The Enforcer (1976)).
Also a singer, songwriter, and poet.
Was a member of the Roger Wagner Chorale.
Campaign in motion to have his beloved "America, Why I Love Her" nominated as the National Poem for the USA

He was in 147 productions from 1947 – 1990

Was in One Little House Episode – “The Long Road Home” – 1976
As Sam Benson ( Tried to Steal The Blasting Oil - Holding The Shotgun)

Rob Loves Plan 9!

Theodore Meir Bikel (born May 2, 1924) is a character actor, folk singer and musician. He made his film debut in The African Queen (1951) and was nominated for an Academy award for his supporting role as Sheriff Max Muller in The Defiant Ones (1958).
Bikel is President of the Associated Actors and Artistes of America and was president of Actors' Equity in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors of Meretz USA[2], where he also lectures. His autobiography, Theo, was published in 1995.

Bikel was born in Vienna, Austria, the son of Miriam (née Riegler) and Josef Bikel from Bukovina.[3] Being active in Zionism, his father named him after Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism. Following the Nazi occupation of Austria, Bikel's family fled to Palestine, where his father's Zionist contacts helped the family obtain British passports. The British Mandate for Palestine was responsible for organizing a Jewish state in Palestine.

Bikel started acting while in his teens. He co-founded the Cameri Theatre there—which has gone on to become one of Israel's biggest theaters—before he moved to London to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1945. In 1948, Michael Redgrave recommended Bikel to his friend Laurence Olivier as understudy for the parts of both Stanley Kowalski and Mitch in the West End premiere of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire.[6] Bikel graduated from understudy to star opposite the director's wife, Vivien Leigh, who would go on to recreate her role as Blanche DuBois in the film version opposite Marlon Brando.
After several plays and films in Europe, Bikel moved to the United States in 1954, and became a naturalized citizen in 1961. He was the U-boat first officer to Curt Jürgens in The Enemy Below (1957) and played the captain of the Russian submarine in The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming (1966). He also portrayed the sadistic General Jouvet in The Pride and the Passion (1957) Bikel was screentested for the role of Auric Goldfinger in the James Bond film Goldfinger (1964). The screentest can be seen on the "Ultimate Edition" DVD released in 2006. Bikel also appeared in Frank Zappa's 1971 film 200 Motels.

On Broadway he originated the role of Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music in 1959, for which he received his second Tony nomination. Bikel did not like his role in "Sound of Music" because his ability to sing was limited in the play, and he did not like to perform the same role of the Captain repeatedly. In 1964, he played Zoltan Karpathy, the dialect expert, in the film version of My Fair Lady. Since his first appearance as Tevye in the musical Fiddler on the Roof in 1967, Bikel has performed the role more often than any other actor (more than 2,000 times to date). When an injury required 74 year old fellow Israeli performer Chaim Topol (veteran of many productions of the stage show and star of the motion picture of Fiddler on the Roof) to withdraw from a high-budget, much-promoted 2009 North American tour of the musical, Bikel substituted for him in several Canadian appearances, including Calgary in January 2010, and has scheduled appearances in the musical beyond his 86th birthday in May.

In the 1950s, Bikel produced and sang in several albums of Jewish folk songs, as well as Songs of a Russian Gypsy, in 1958. He was a co-founder of the Newport Folk Festival (together with Pete Seeger and George Wein) in 1959. In 1962, he heard Bob Dylan give his premiere performance of "Blowin' in the Wind". Bikel then went to his scheduled performance and became the first singer besides Dylan to perform the song in public. Bikel (with business partner Herb Cohen) opened the first folk music coffeehouse in Los Angeles, The Unicorn. Its popularity led to the two opening a second club, Cosmo Alley, which in addition to folk music presented poets such as Maya Angelou and comics including Lenny Bruce. Bikel became increasingly involved with civil rights issues and progressive causes, and was a delegate to the 1968 Democratic Convention.

In addition to scores of appearances on film and on the stage, Bikel was a guest star on many popular television shows. He appeared in an episode of the 1954 NBC legal drama Justice based on cases from the Legal Aid Society of New York.[9] He also appeared in the episode entitled "The Faithful Pilgrimage" of CBS's Appointment with Adventure anthology series. The particular episode was written by Rod Serling. He also appeared in a second episode of Appointment with Adventure entitled "Return of the Stranger."
Later, Bikel guest starred on Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone (episode "Four O'Clock" as Oliver Crangle). He appeared on episodes of Wagon Train, Hawaii Five-O, Columbo, Charlie's Angels, Little House on the Prairie, Mission: Impossible, Gunsmoke, Dynasty, "All in the Family, Knight Rider, and Law & Order. He appeared on the game show Super Password as a celebrity guest in 1988.

In the early 1990s, he appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation, in the episode "Family", playing Sergey Rozhenko, the Russian-born adopted father of Worf, who, as a petty officer on the Starfleet vessel Intrepid, had found Worf at the site of the Khitomer Massacre and taken him home to raise as his son. Bikel performed two roles in the Babylon 5 universe. In 1994 he portrayed Rabbi Koslov in the first season episode "TKO". In 1998 he appeared in the TV movie Babylon 5: In the Beginning as Anla'Shok leader Lenonn.

Update: Theodore Bikel passed away in July of 2015 at the age of 91. Natural Causes

151 Titles from 1949 to 2007

He was in one Little House Episode in 1976
Centennial – As Yuli Pyatakov
Opposite a VERY young Ike Eisenman as His Son

Hersha Parady was born on 25 May 1945, and raised in Ohio, USA. She later became an actress, appearing on television and in the theatre.

Years later, while living in California, Hersha often used to look after a free-spirited dog named Lightening, who used to roam the streets of Hollywood. This is how Hersha came to meet and befriend actress Katherine "Scottie" MacGregor, who also looked out for the same dog! It was around that time that MacGregor was starring, as Harriet Oleson, in the television series Little House on the Prairie.

When Hersha starred in a play as Anne Hathaway, the wife of William Shakespeare, MacGregor and her Little House co-star Richard Bull came to see it. They were thoroughly impressed with Hersha's performance, and recommended her to the Little House casting director, as a possible new cast member.

This recommendation led to Hersha being cast as a guest star (playing Michael Landon's sister-in-law) in one episode during the third season, before being cast as a regular player in the role of Merlin Olsen's wife, Alice Garvey, for Seasons 4 - 6.

Ironically, Hersha's own personal favorite Little House episode is "May We Make Them Proud" - the one in which Alice Garvey and her friends' infant son burn to death in the blind school! Hersha relished acting in scenes containing real, controlled fire with the Los Angeles Fire Department on hand for safety reasons! On her unforgettable death scene, Hersha remarked: "At least I went out with a bang and not a whimper!"

Hersha was once married to Oscar-winning producer John Peverall, with whom she has a son named Jonathan. She currently lives in Florida and continues to act in the theatre. In July 2005, she delighted fans by attending a Little House on the Prairie reunion in Tombstone, Arizona along with many other members of the cast.

Her Filmography Includes:
• 1997 & 1998: Kenan & Kel as Principal Dimly
• 1986: Hyper Sapien: People from Another Star as Mrs. McAlpin
• 1981: The Phoenix as Lynn
• 1981: ABC Weekend Specials as Janice Parker
• 1980: The $5.20 an Hour Dream
• 1979: CBS Afternoon Playhouse
• 1972: Mannix as Receptionist
• 1975: The Waltons as Victoria Madden
• 1977-1980: Little House on the Prairie as Alice Garvey
• 1974: Little House on the Prairie (one episode) as Eliza Ingalls
• 1971: Bearcats! as Carrie

Journey In The Spring – Eliza Ingalls
This is the first appearances of Matthew Laborteaux and Hersha Paraday. Here (through flashbacks), Matt played young Charles Ingalls, and Paraday plays Eliza Anne Ingalls, Charles' sister-in-law.

Watched this one last night. She was a great actress!

I'm not sure if anybody mentioned this already, but Jack Ging made an appearance in The Waltons episode "The Inferno", where John Boy covers the Hindenburg disaster. Ging played the reporter who met John Boy in Lakehurst and drove him to the landing field.

I remember that episode of the Waltons. SO many folks were on both shows.

I have met Hersha and she is one sweet lady who gives amazing hugs. When I first saw her I didnT recognize her. But then she bent down between 2 little girls who wanted their picture taken with her and, yup, it was Alice alright. I had a few minutes with her and it was like we were long lost friends.

Richard Mulligan, born in November of 1932, was originally a student of playwriting at Columbia University, Richard Mulligan began his acting career in regional theater and soon after made his Broadway debut in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play "All the Way Home". In addition to his continuing Broadway career, Mulligan has successfully transferred his unique comedic talents to television and film. On the big screen he has appeared in such films as The Heavenly Kid (1985), Teachers (1984), Little Big Man (1970) and The Big Bus (1976). He has also performed in a number of Blake Edwards' films, including S.O.B. (1981), A Fine Mess (1986), Micki + Maude (1984) and Trail of the Pink Panther (1982). Mulligan has made numerous guest-starring television appearances, but it was his role as Burt Campbell in Witt-Thomas-Harris' offbeat comedy series "Soap" (1977) that earned him his first Emmy award. He also starred in the series "Reggie" (1983). His movie-of-the-week and miniseries credits include Poker Alice (1987) (TV), Harvey (1996) (TV), Pueblo (1973) (TV) and the acclaimed Guess Who's Coming for Christmas? (1990) (TV) with Beau Bridges. He is the brother of director Robert Mulligan.

Won two Emmys for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series. However, he finally accepted his Emmy in 1989 for "Empty Nest" (1988) because in 1980 he had been participating in the Screen Actors' Guild strike at the time of the The 32nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1980) (TV), during which he had won for "Soap" (1977).

Appeared in four series created by Susan Harris: "Soap" (1977), "The Golden Girls" (1985), "Empty Nest" (1988), and "Nurses" (1991). In the latter three, he played the same character, Dr. Harry Weston.

He died in September of 2000 at the age of 67.

He was on one Little House episode as Granville Whipple
Soldier’s Return - 1976

Michael Le Clair came and went. No birthdate available. He was an actor from 1974 – 1983.

Credits include:
1983 Policewoman Centerfold (TV movie
Skip Oaks
1982The Executioner's Song (TV movie)
Rikki Wood
1982Quincy M.E. (TV series)/Ross Yates
– Bitter Pill(1982)… Ross Yates
1981ABC Afterschool Specials (TV series)
Mitch Stevens
– She Drinks a Little(1981)… Mitch Stevens
1981Leave 'em Laughing (TV movie)
Tommy
1980Blinded by the Light (TV movie)
1980The Women's Room (TV movie)
Normie - Age 15
1979Anatomy of a Seduction (TV movie)
Ricky Kane
1978-1979Centennial (TV mini-series)
Young Jim Lloyd
– The Scream of Eagles(1979)… Young Jim Lloyd(as Michael Le Clair)
– The Winds of Fortune(1979)… Young Jim Lloyd(as Michael Le Clair)
– The Crime(1979)… Young Jim Lloyd(as Michael Le Clair)
– The Storm(1979)… Young Jim Lloyd(as Michael Le Clair)
– The Longhorns(1978)… Young Jim Lloyd(as Michael Le Clair)
1978Like Mom, Like Me (TV movie)
Peter (as Michael Le Clair)
1977ABC Weekend Specials (TV series)
Dewey / Homer
– Trouble River(1977)… Dewey
– Homer and the Wacky Doughnut Machine(1977)… Homer
1977Having Babies II (TV movie)
Chris Williams
1977Lou Grant (TV series)
Roger
Aftershock(1977)… Roger
1977The Oregon Trail (TV series)
Horace Sawyer
– Hard Ride Home(1977)… Horace Sawyer
1977Family (TV series)
Charlie Roberts
– A Safe House(1977)… Charlie Roberts
1976Little House on the Prairie (TV series)
Bubba Galender
– The Bully Boys(1976)… Bubba Galender (as Michael Le Clair)
1976The Bob Newhart Show (TV series)
Phil Dorigo
– Send This Boy to Camp(1976)… Phil Dorigo
1976Amelia Earhart (TV movie)
Boy
1976Newman's Drugstore (TV movie)
Woody Newman
1976From Noon Till Three
Cody Taylor (as Michael Le Clair)
1976Baby Blue Marine
Barney Hudkins
1976Sara (TV series)
– Bright Boy(1976)
– Half Breed(1976)
1975Medical Story (TV series)
Peter
Us Against the World(1975)… Peter
1975Three for the Road (TV series)
Prisoner in Sneakers
– The Prisoner in Sneakers(1975)… Prisoner in Sneakers
1975The Family Holvak (TV series)
Ty
– A Stranger in a Strange Land(1975)… Ty
1975Shazam! (TV series)
Jimmy
– Fool's Gold(1975)… Jimmy
1975Gunsmoke (TV series)
Jess
– Larkin(1975)… Jess (as Michael Le Clair)
1975Rikki-Tikki-Tavi (TV short)
Teddy (voice)
1974The Waltons (TV series)
Boy #2
– The Runaway(1974)… Boy #2

He played bad boy Bubba Galendar in one episode of Little House.
The Bully Boys – 1976

Younger Version

Roy Jenson was born in February of 1927 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Played football for UCLA, then professionally for the Calgary Stampeders and the Montreal Alouettes.

Was the first man beaten up by Caine on "Kung Fu" (1972).
Doubled for Robert Mitchum.
First wife, Barbara Dionysius, was his college sweetheart. They had three children: Martin Jensen, Morgan Jensen and Sasha Jenson.
Met his second wife, European actress Marina Petrova (aka Marina Petrowa), while filming The Great Escape (1963) in Germany.
Had an affinity for the ocean -- fishing, camping, diving.
In addition to his second wife, three sons and brother, he was survived by seven grandchildren and a great granddaughter.

Played Roman Polanski's henchman in the famous knife-to-the-nose sequence with Jack Nicholson in Chinatown (1974).

Born in Calgary, Canada, but moved to Los Angeles with his mother and brother, George Jenson, at age 7 and attended South Gate High School.

Joined the U.S. Navy at age 17 during WWII and served on a destroyer in the Pacific.
A former UCLA footballer, he earned a BA in geography at UCLA in 1951 before going on to play pro football for Canada.

While playing professional football in Canada (Calgary Stampeders, B.C. Lions), he was utilized as a stunt double for River of No Return (1954) starring Robert Mitchum. Moved to Hollywood thereafter to do stunt work and eventually took on a number of bit roles.
Canadian-born pro footballer-turned-stuntman-turned-character actor, best known for his film and TV heavies in late 60s and 70s westerns and crime stories.
Was a Western All-Star in the Canadian Football League in 1954.
Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Actors Branch).

Personal Quote From a 1987 Interview
I really like playing the nasty heavies. And I've always enjoyed working and paying the bills. But as I get older, I wouldn't mind some roles where I can play a nice Daddy or Grandpa! After all, Hollywood is still a dream world.

He was in 197 Titles from 1951 -1999

He died in April of 2007 in Los Angeles at the age of 79.

He was on one episode of Father Murphy in 1981 and six episodes of Bonanza.

One Little House Episode – 1976 – As George Galendar
The Bully Boys
Just After Making A VERY Big Mistake. Putting His Hands on Carolyn (Left)

In Clint Eastwood's "Any Which Way You Can"

Born in 1935, talented and highly capable character actor Geoffrey Lewis, with rustic (sometimes sour-faced) looks, grew up in Rhode Island but was moved out to California at the age of ten. Lewis was very keen on the dramatic arts at high school, but often preferred to put on his own one-man shows rather than participate in larger school productions. His drama teacher took note of his growing talent and referred him to the Plymouth Theater in Massachusetts, where he appeared in summer stock. Afterwards he appeared in several off-Broadway productions in New York City. After spending considerable time traveling, in both the United States and abroad, Lewis turned his attention back to his love of the dramatic arts, and scored his first minor movie role in The Culpepper Cattle Co. (1972) as a somewhat jovial but deadly cowhand. He then cropped up as gangster Harry Pierpont in Dillinger (1973) before beginning a long association with Clint Eastwood, starting off with High Plains Drifter (1973), then as kind-hearted thief Eddie Goody in Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974), as Clint's buddy Orville Boggs in Every Which Way But Loose (1978) and Any Which Way You Can (1980), then as a henpecked husband in Bronco Billy (1980), as Ricky Z in Pink Cadillac (1989), and in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997).

Equally busy on the small screen, he has guest-starred in dozens of episodes of high profile TV series. Additionally, he received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in the series "Flo" (1980). Apart from his extensive film and TV exposure, Lewis is also a member of the rather unique musical/storytelling "Celestial Navigations," along with award-winning composer songwriter Geoff Levin. Their performances have received terrific reviews from some of Hollywood's top actors and noted musicians, including Chick Corea. As Geoffrey Lewis approaches his seventh decade, nothing seems likely to slow down this multi-talented actor, storyteller and engaging entertainer!

Father of ten children including actors Dierdre Lewis, Lightfield Lewis, Juliette Lewis, Producer Brandy Lewis, Peter Lewis and Matthew Lewis, .

Excellent and well-known character actor, is probably best known for his half-dozen guest star appearances in Clint Eastwood films, including Bronco Billy (1980), High Plains Drifter (1973), Every Which Way But Loose (1978), etc.

215 Titles from 1963 to Present Day

Update: 4-8-15: Geoffrey Lewis died April 7th, 2015 in Woodland Hills, Ca. He was 79 years old.

He was on the Waltons, Bonanza, and two episodes of Little House

Little House on the Prairie
– The Older Brothers (1983)… As Cole Younger
– The Bully Boys(1976)… As Sam Galender
As Cole Younger in "The Older Brothers"

"Any Which Way But Loose" opposite Clint Eastwood

Geoffrey's Daughter Juliette Lewis - Actress in 22 Episodes of "The Firm"

General purpose actor James Wainwright was born in Illinois in 1938 and discovered he had artistic talent at a young age, landing a scholarship at Carnegie University. This active pursuit was all but dissipated when he decided to join the Marines. Following his honorable discharge, he made do with a number of unskilled jobs until he found an interest in another area of the fine arts -- acting. He auditioned and earned a seat as a student at the Actors' Studio, then proceeded to migrate West in the late 60s to pursue film and TV stardom.

Initially cast as a ruthless heavy, his image was redeemed somewhat after landing a recurring role in 1969 on the already-established TV program "Daniel Boone" (1964). In 1972, he fronted in his own weekly series "Jigsaw" (1972) as dogged Lt. Frank Dain of the California State Police Department's Bureau of Missing Persons--a man who didn't always play by the rules. What could have been his ticket to TV stardom barely lasted a season. In years to come he was seen in secondary support to a number of Oscar-winning cinema stars, notably Clint Eastwood in Joe Kidd (1972), George Kennedy in the prison drama Mean Dog Blues (1978) and Walter Matthau and Robin Williams in The Survivors (1983). He also appeared in a number of mini-movies, particularly that of a younger J. Edgar Hoover who grows up to be bulldog Broderick Crawford in The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover (1977), and guested on the more popular shows including "Cannon," "The Fall Guy," "Dynasty," "Magnum P.I.," "Hardcastle & McCormick" and "Hunter."

In his second TV series he reverted back to playing the heavy as an unstable scientist who invents and unleashes humanistic robots to take over the world in "Beyond Westworld" (1980). Based on the popular 1973 Yul Brynner movie, the program was very short-lived. Following additional episodic work on TV, as well as the lowbudget action film Mission Manila (1990), Wainwright left the screen. Little was heard from or about the actor until his reported death from lung cancer on December 20, 1999 at age 61.

He was in 66 titles from 1967 to 1990
In One Little House Episode
“My Ellen” – 1977 – Cal Taylor (Ellen’s Father)

Dave wrote:

Was the first man beaten up by Caine on "Kung Fu" (1972).

Made me LOL, for some reason.

Although I have a very hard time thinking of Matt Labyorteaux as a “guest star”, he technically was just that before becoming a regular cast member. Besides, it is a great excuse to profile my all - time favorite child actor and character on Little House.

Matthew was born December 8th, 1966 in Los Angeles, Ca., of Jewish descent. He was the adoptive son of Ronald Labyorteaux, an interior designer, and actress Frances Marshall. He is the younger brother of Patrick Labyorteaux, himself adopted, and Jane Laborteaux, both of whom are actors in their own right. Matt was born with a congenital heart defect, which eventually healed on its own.

In 1992, Matt and his brother, Patrick, founded the Youth Rescue Fund (currently partnered with Los Angeles Youth Supportive Services), a charity organization that assists young people in crisis, and they have since engaged in fundraising for youth shelters across the U.S.

Matt began working in commercials at the age of seven, having been discovered while accompanying his older brother, Patrick , to a casting call. He shortly thereafter landed his first dramatic role in A Woman Under the Influence, where he played one of Peter Falk and Gena Rowlands' children.

Aside from his tenure on Little House on the Prairie, Matt also starred in the short-lived television series The Red Hand Gang (1977) and Whiz Kids (1983), in addition to several made-for-television movies.

Matt’s most prominent film role was in the 1986 Wes Craven feature Deadly Friend as Paul Conway, a young genius who resurrects a dead girl using an artificial intelligence microchip from a robot he created that had previously been destroyed by a malicious neighbor.
During his most active years, he made guest appearances on numerous television shows, including The Rookies, The Bob Newhart Show, Lou Grant, Here's Boomer (spin-off of The Red Hand Gang), The Love Boat, Simon and Simon (crossover episode with Whiz Kids), Highway to Heaven, Night Court, Paradise, and Silk Stalkings.

Most recently, he has worked as a voice actor, providing characterizations in video games and animated features, and additional dialogue recording in film and television.

Awards, Honors: Young Artist Award nominations, best young actor in a drama series, 1983, 1984, both for Little House on the Prairie; Young Artist Award nomination, best young actor in a new television series, 1984, for Whiz Kids.

He appeared in two episodes of Little House As A Guest Star before becoming a regular cast member. Both Roles were as young Charles Ingalls.

On The Set of "I Remember, I Remember" opposite Katy Kurtzman

With Jan Sterling On the set of "Journey in the Spring"

With Brother Patrick In Earlier Years

Later Years

Johnny Timko, born in March of 1965, in Torrance, Ca.,  has acted in approximately 18 movies and some 4 TV shows. Well known for performances in The Car, Mulligan's Stew and Hot Moves.
He appeared in Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, One Day At  A Time, The Bionic Woman, Police Story, Emergency, and The Awakening Land which was a mini-series in 1978.
He is well known for his role of “Puppis” in Battlestar Gallactica.

Currently an acting instructor at the Promenade Conservatory in Southern California.


He played Henry McGinnis in one episode of Little House in “Blizzard” – 1997
With His Mother After Losing His Father

In Battlestar Galactica as "Puppis"

With Matt  Labyorteaux in June of 2013

Warren Vanders was born in May of 1923 in San Fernando, Ca. He was an American character actor on television and in films. He was initially a substitute teacher before breaking into the industry.

Born as Warren John Vanderschuit, he secured a recurring role as Chuck Davis in the Empire television series using the professional name Warren Vanders. Vanders acted regularly, including appearances in The Big Valley, Bonanza, Alias Smith and Jones, Gunsmoke, and How the West Was Won. He appeared in such films as Nevada Smith, Hot Lead and Cold Feet and in the John Wayne film, Rooster Cogburn (as Bagsby). Over 56 titles from 1956 – 2006. Some of them included The Waltons, Matlock, Cagney and Lacey, Dallas, Police Story and Mission Impossible to name a few.

Warren Vanders died on November 27, 2009, at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, California, following a battle with lung cancer. He was 79 years old.

He was on one Little House Episode as Harold Mayfield
In A Very Touching Story: “Little Women” - 1977

A Very Young Michael Landon and Warren Vanders In Bonanza
1965 "A Far,Far Better Thing"

I loved his charactor on LH. Shows the love a step dad can have for a child that isn't his own. So sorry to hear cancer took him.

WOW! These are all so interesting!

Iris Dobson Korn, born in January of 1907, was best known for her television performance in the role of the wife of Reverend Alden on the series "Little House on the Prairie". Her other TV credits included "Emergency", "Cannon", "The Waltons", "Barnaby Jones", "Charlie's Angels", "The Incredible Hulk" and "Taxi". For feature films, she appeared in "White Lighting" (1973), "Big Wednesday" (1978) and "Jimmy the Kid" (1982). She died in Springfield, Missouri in January of 1982 at the age of 75.

Some of her other credits included BJ and the Bear, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, White Lightning, and Emergency.

She appeared alongside Matthew Labyorteaux in "Tarantulas: The Deadly Cargo" as Dorothy. A TV movie made in 1977.

She was in one Little House Episode
The Preacher Takes A Wife - 1979 - As Anna Craig

Matt as "Matthew Beck" About To Get The Deadly Bite
in Tarantulas:The Deadly Cargo - 1977

Aaron Fletcher was born in January of 1927. His first appearance was on Mission Impossible in 1966. His credits include St. Elsewher, Alice Newhart and the Lewis and Clark TV series.
He played Santa Claus in St. Elsewhere and Gloria. You can see why in one of the screen shots below.
He passed away in March of 1990 at the age of 63.

He was in two Lttle House Episodes.
Blizzard - 1977 - as Peetrie
Growin' Pains - 1981 - as Mr. Tibbs

Putting James To Bed in Growin' Pains

In The Opening Scene of Blizzard - Telegraph Operator

Donald Dubbins, born in June of 1928 in New York City, was a boyish-looking actor of film and (especially) TV that was signed by Columbia at the onset of his teen career. Also known as Donald Dubbins, he started off playing earnest young cadet types in the war films From Here to Eternity (1953) (as a young bugler) and The Caine Mutiny (1954). It was superstar James Cagney who took a distinct liking to the rookie actor and prominently displayed him in two of his subsequent films. In These Wilder Years (1956), Dubbins played Cagney's long-lost adopted son and, in the western Tribute to a Bad Man (1956), he forms an unlikely romantic triangle with cattle boss Cagney and senorita Irene Papas. He also was at the mercy of Jack Webb's title character as a private in the Dragnet-styled military film The D.I. (1957). He subsequently played a frequent suspect on several episodes of the "Dragnet 1967" (1967) series. Finishing up the 1950s, he was a part of the cast in the Jules Verne sci-fi picture From the Earth to the Moon (1958).

Although Dubbins never became a box office name, he certainly was a reliable asset on TV and was seen in a host of character roles over the years, not to mention a good number of smaller parts in such films as The Prize (1963) and The Learning Tree (1969). A character player adept at both good guys and bad guys, he retired completely in the late 1980s after filming episodes of "Dynasty" (1981), "Highway to Heaven" (1984) and "Knots Landing" (1979). He also appeared on Bonanza. . He was in 114 productions from 1953 – 1989.
His last performance was as Willie Loman in Death of A Salesman at the Warehouse Theatre in Greenville, South Carolina. He passed away in August of 1991 at the age of 63.

He Was In Two Little House Episodes

Blizzard – 1977 – Jim Bowers.

A Christmas They Never Forgot - 1981 - Master Hayes

Don Beddoe, born in Pittsburgh, Pa. in 1903, was raised in New York City and Cincinnati, Ohio. He was the son of a professor at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music who happened also to be the world-famous Welsh tenor, Dan Beddoe. Although Don Beddoe intended a career in journalism, he took an interest in theatre and became involved first with amateur companies and then with professional theatre troupes. He debuted on Broadway in 1929 and kept up a decade-long career on the stage. Although said to have made some minor appearances in silent films, Beddoe made his real transfer to film work in 1938. He appeared in a wide range of supporting roles in literally scores of films, often as either a fast-talking reporter or as a mousey sort. He became one of the most readily familiar faces in Hollywood movies, despite remaining almost unknown by name outside the industry. Following service in the Army Air Corps during the Second World War, he continued to work steadily in small roles, complementing them with television work. Despite advancing (and very ripe old) age, he remained quite active, supplementing his acting work with a second career in real estate. He died in 1991 at the age of 87 in Laguna Hills, Ca.
He was in over 230 productions from 1937 to 1984.

One of the great character actors of our time.

Was in one episode of Highway To Heaven and one episode of Little House.

He Was Only Twelve: Part 2 -1982 - Old Man (Angel To Me)

In the episode where Mary goes to teach school and the townspeople are taught by the town "witch", who is the lady who stands up at the end and starts to sing Jesus Loves Me? Has she been in other episodes or are I just dreaming that I've seen her.

I love the verse of Jesus Loves Me that they sing, it's not one that is in my hymnal.

Thanks Dave