Merlin Olsen, Hall of Famer and Little House on the Prairie actor dies at 69. Merlin Olsen was a Hall of Fame defensive lineman, and Los Angeles Rams' member of the "Fearsome Foursome." Merlin died Wednesday night in a Los Angeles hospital after a battle with lung cancer.
After football, Merlin became a succesful actor and appeared in several TV shows, including Little House on the Prairie, he also appeared in TV commercials, and NFL broadcasts.
Olsen grew up in Utah, went to Utah State and went All-American; he was a first round draft pick in 1962 for the LA Rams. In December, Olsen was honored at Utah State with a football field being named after him, "Merlin Olsen Field." Olsen attended the event, but did not make a speech. He stood, smiled and waved to fans while the crowd cheered: "Merlin Olsen!" and "Aggie Legend!"
A statue of Olsen will also be placed inside the football stadium in Utah.
In the late 1970s and 1980s, Olsen acted on "Little House on the Prairie," then, "Father Murphy," then "Aaron's Way."
Source: Associated Press
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Comments
Good documentation and tribute well presented of a fine actor.
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