30. Melissa Gilbert Was Only 15-Years-Old And Nervous When Her Character (Laura Ingalls) Had To Kiss Actor Dean Butler
The Little House on the Prairie series touched hearts of generations. Both the books and TV show are a beloved part of the entertainment world to this day.
While the show may have stopped filming in the early ‘80s, audiences of all ages continue to embrace the pioneer lifestyle. We’ve rounded up 25 behind-the-scenes secrets all Little House on the Prairie fans will want to know.
Melissa Gilbert was only 15-years-old when her character, Laura Ingalls, married Almanzo Wilder. The actor who played Wilder, Dean Butler, was actually a 23-year-old.
29. Actress Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson) Passed Out From Heat Exhaustion On Set
This, and the fact the on-stage kiss marked only the third time Gilbert had kissed a boy, made the teenager extremely nervous. After the scene, she asked if the affection could be limited to hugs and pecks on the cheek.
The women wore the traditional 1800’s styles, including: stockings, petticoats, pinafores, and bonnets. The temperatures would range from the 90s to the 100s at the California ranch where the show was filmed, which made for a very warm work day.
28. The Crew Went Through Two Cases Of Coors A Day While Filming
Both Alison Arngrim and an assistant director passed out on the first day of filming.
27. Alison Arngrim And Actor Steve Tracy, Who Played Her Husband Percival, Would Openly Make Out Just To Disgust Melissa Gilbert
The crew and actors were known to indulge in beer and Wild Turkey on set while the younger actors napped during breaks.
Young Melissa Gilbert hated seeing co-stars Alison and Steve open-mouth kiss during their scenes.
26. Melissa Gilbert Ended Her Friendship With Michael Landon Following His Real-Life Divorce
So, of course they made sure to do it as often as possible.
The Laura Ingalls actress had become close with actor Michael Landon’s wife and kids while filming Little House on the Prairie.
25. Alison Arngrim’s Broken Arm Was Real In The “Bunny” Episode
She quit associating with him after he divorced his wife when his affair with an on-set makeup artist went public.
Alison Arngrim had a real cast on after breaking her wrist skateboarding.
24. Michael Landon Loved To Show Off His Body In More Ways Than One
Her screams in the scene were also real as a crew member claimed the safety rope, which was holding her wheelchair as Melissa Gilbert pushed her down a slope, had snapped.
The actor who played Charles Ingalls wasn’t shy about filming his shirtless scenes.
23. Toddler Carrie Ingalls' Fall During The Opening Credits Was Accidental
It’s reported he also liked skipping undergarments when wearing the tight fitting trousers.
The twin who was playing Carrie Ingalls during the opening credits accidentally tripped and fell while running down the hill.
22. Michael Landon Wore Four-Inch Lifts In His Boots
The director thought it was cute and left it in the credits.
The 5’ 9” actor didn’t want any to stand taller than him on the show.
21. Actor Sean Penn Got His Start On The Show
His “swagger” while filming Little House on the Prairie is due to these special boots.
20. The Simi Valley Ranch Set May Have Been Contaminated With Radioactive Waste
A then 13-year-old Sean Penn made his acting debut on the series in the episode “The Voice of Tinker Jones” when his dad, director Leo Penn, cast him in a small role.
19. Rachel And Sidney Bush Played The Part Of Carrie Ingalls At Just Age Three
It’s rumored the Big Sky Ranch was a disposal site for radioactive materials, which some blame for the cancer rates among the cast and crew.
Due to California law regarding minors, the director had to rotate the twins out every few hours.
18. Actor Michael Landon (Charles Ingalls) Dyed His Hair For The Role
It's said he would call for a "fresh" twin before shooting some scenes.
Actor Michael Landon went prematurely grey in his 20s, and started dying his hair using Clairol Medium Ash Brown while starring in Bonanza. He continued this practice until a professional was needed to step in and help with the dye jobs.
17. All The Food In The Dinner Scenes Was Dinty Moore Beef Stew
It's said his hair would fade under the California sun into a lavender color while filming Little House on the Prairie.
16. Nellie Oleson And Laura Ingalls Were Really Best Friends
Except the time Ma fried chicken, that was Kentucky Fried Chicken.
15. Actress Melissa Sue Anderson’s Mother Was Overprotective On Set
The young actresses had sleepovers and were best of friends despite Melissa Gilbert “punching” out Alison Arngrim’s character throughout the series.
14. Michael Landon Asked Karen Grassle To Change Her Name When She Auditioned
Because of this, the other actors reported nobody ever became friends with Melissa Sue, who played Mary Ingalls, during filming.
The actor requested the actress who played Caroline Ingalls to change her name back to her real name, Karen Grassle.
13. A Memo Was Sent Out Saying Melissa Gilbert And Dean Butler Didn’t Have Believable Chemistry On Set
She auditioned under her stage name, Gabriel Tree.
12. An Old-Fashioned Curling Iron Heated In An Oven Was Used To Achieve Nellie Oleson’s Curls
Because of Melissa Gilbert's previously mentioned nervousness about kissing scenes, the production staff was concerned the lack of chemistry between Laura Ingalls and her new husband would be apparent to viewers.
11. After A Few Episodes, They Decided To Use A Wig To Give Alison Angrim Perfect Curls, But It Made Her Scalp Bleed
Hairdressers used old-fashioned curls and curling iron to “torturously” style actress Alison Angrim’s hair into the perfect curls of Nellie Oleson.
Poor actress Alison Angrim went through a lot to make her role as Nellie Oleson seem authentic. After dealing with the old-fashioned curling iron, the crew decided to use a wig to style the actress’s hair.
10. Michael Landon's Daughter Played The Role Of Etta Plum
The wig was held into place with metal combs and pins that cut into Alison’s scalp.
9. Melissa Gilbert Learned How To Drive A Stagecoach
Actor Michael Landon's real daughter received a part as Etta Plum after playing several other roles.
8. Michael Landon Was Known For Playing Pranks On The Cast And Crew
The actress, who played Laura Ingalls, knows how to drive a real stagecoach.
7. Melissa Gilbert Had To Hide Her Curves
The actor is said to have a "wild" sense of humor.
6. Melissa Gilbert Named Her Son After Michael Landon
The producers wanted character Laura Ingalls to appear more youthful, so they had Melissa bind her chest to hide her curves.
5. Actress Melissa Gilbert Is Related To The Actor Who Played Willie Oleson
Despite their falling out after Michael Landon divorced his wife, actress Melissa Gilbert reportedly named her son after him.
4. The Real Laura Ingalls Did Live In Walnut Grove, Minnesota
The actor who played Willie Olseon— Jonathan Gilbert— is Melissa Gilbert’s adopted brother.
3. Michael Landon Used Old ‘Bonanza’ Scripts For ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Episodes
The Ingalls family lived in the real Walnut Grove for awhile in 1874.
2. They Included The Demolition Of The Set Into The Last Episode
Michael Landon, who starred in both Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie, used several of the same scripts for both series. Bonanza’s “A Matter of Circumstance” episode was “A Matter of Faith” on Little House.
In the final episode of the series, the town of Walnut Grove was destroyed— literally.