Merlin Olsen - from football to 'Little House on the Prairie' and back home

I recently had the opportunity to see "Little House on the Prairie - the Musical" starring Melissa Gilbert when the show came to Nashville. Watching the "Little House" musical brought back my interest in the show - not enough to turn me into a full-fledged "bonnet head" - but enough to make me watch the "Tim McCarver Show" when his guest was Merlin Olsen.

 

Merlin Olsen's Football Career

From humble origins, Merlin Olsen was born September 15, 1940 in Logan, Utah. He grew up in a large Mormon family and played college football at Utah State University before beginning his 15-year career with the Los Angeles Rams. When he retired as a player, Olsen became a television commentator for NBC's coverage of the AFC during the 1980s.

 

Merlin Olsen on Little House on the Prairie

While football fans may remember Olsen best as a Pro Football Hall of Famer, his claim to fame to millions of little girls who grew up on the beloved "Little House on the Prairie" books by Laura Ingalls Wilder was his role as Jonathan Garvey on the "Little House on the Prairie" television series.

After Victor French left the faith-based TV show about the life and adventures of the Ingalls family, Merlin Olsen became Jonathan Garvey, Michael Landon's new sidekick in the fourth season. From 1977 to 1981, Olsen played the lumber man who came to Walnut Grove with his wife and son and became a close friend of Pa Ingalls.

Following "Little House," Olsen played the lead role in the period piece, "Father Murphy." In 1988, he starred in another faith-based TV series, "Aaron's Way," where he played an Amish father.
 

Along the way, Merlin Olsen began to feel like he was not spending enough time with his own family, so he made the decision to retire from acting. "I wanted to leave while I was still proud of what I was doing and while my performance level was still high," Olsen told Tim McCarver.

"I sometimes wonder at the naiveté I had to think I could do both football and acting," Olsen mused, saying he loved the challenge of both careers.

Downplaying his own substantial talents, Olsen stated that he thought the opportunities which have come his way have been remarkable. "I think it's because I have never been afraid to dream," he said, indicating this is an important lesson to teach people, especially children.

Olsen pointed out a dream is only the starting place. "Then you have to go to work to make your dream a reality."

Although Merlin Olsen retired from his television career a long time ago, he has been seen since then co-hosting the Children's Miracle Network telethons, the humanitarian organization founded in 1983 by Marie Osmond and John Schneider.

Merlin Olsen may have left the prairie, but he appears to have no regrets. After more than a decade of acting in family-friendly television shows, he has found the best place to be is home with his own family.

Sources:

Wikipedia
Tim McCarver Show

For more information:

'Little House on the Prairie - the Musical' brings Melissa Gilbert and Little House books to TPAC

Tennessee Rep Presents Driving Miss Daisy with Karen Grassle