All the Actors You Forgot Were onLittle House on the Prairie

Mar. 15, 2025

Jason Bateman, Michael Landon and Missy Francis.Photo:NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

AsLittle House on the Prairiebecame a fan favorite for audiences in 1970s and 1980s, it was also home to some A-list cameos and breakout performances from a variety of big names.From up-and-coming actors likeJason Bateman,Shannen DohertyorMelora Hardinto already-established stars likeJohnny CashandJune Carter CashorPatricia Neal,Little House on the Prairiehoused a lot of talent.So as you watch the onscreen adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books, keep an eye out for these familiar faces.

AsLittle House on the Prairiebecame a fan favorite for audiences in 1970s and 1980s, it was also home to some A-list cameos and breakout performances from a variety of big names.

From up-and-coming actors likeJason Bateman,Shannen DohertyorMelora Hardinto already-established stars likeJohnny CashandJune Carter CashorPatricia Neal,Little House on the Prairiehoused a lot of talent.

So as you watch the onscreen adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books, keep an eye out for these familiar faces.

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Melora Hardin

Melora Hardin.NBC

NBC

The Office’sMelora Hardinhas been working since the ’70s and ’80s and in 1981, she appeared onLittle Houseas a character named Belinda — one of Albert Ingalls' classmates.

“I played his love interest and, actually, Matthew and I hadour first screen kiss together,” Hardinsaid recently.“And he’s still a very good friend of mine and the godfather of my second daughter.”

02of 10Jason BatemanJason Bateman.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyWhile many knowJason Batemanfor his roles in hit series likeArrested DevelopmentandOzark, when he was just 11-years-old he made his onscreen debut as James Cooper Ingalls inLittle House on the Prairie.

02of 10

Jason Bateman

Jason Bateman.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

While many knowJason Batemanfor his roles in hit series likeArrested DevelopmentandOzark, when he was just 11-years-old he made his onscreen debut as James Cooper Ingalls inLittle House on the Prairie.

03of 10Shannen DohertyShannen Doherty.Frank Carroll/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via GettyLike Bateman,Shannen Dohertyhad a recurring character on the long-running series as Jenny Wilder. She was just 11 when she landed the role.“There just was something about her — Shannenknewwhere she was going,”Dean Butler, who played Doherty’s onscreen uncle Almanzo Wilder,told PEOPLEfollowing the actress' death in 2024. “She was a very determined, and you just knew that she was going to succeed. You just knew she had something.”

03of 10

Shannen Doherty

Shannen Doherty.Frank Carroll/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty

Frank Carroll/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty

Like Bateman,Shannen Dohertyhad a recurring character on the long-running series as Jenny Wilder. She was just 11 when she landed the role.

“There just was something about her — Shannenknewwhere she was going,”Dean Butler, who played Doherty’s onscreen uncle Almanzo Wilder,told PEOPLEfollowing the actress' death in 2024. “She was a very determined, and you just knew that she was going to succeed. You just knew she had something.”

04of 10Johnny CashJohnny Cash.United Archives GmbH/AlamyBothJohnny Cashand his wife June Carter Cash appeared on the season 3 premiere ofLittle House,playing husband and wife Caleb and Mattie Hodgekiss.

04of 10

Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash.United Archives GmbH/Alamy

United Archives GmbH/Alamy

BothJohnny Cashand his wife June Carter Cash appeared on the season 3 premiere ofLittle House,playing husband and wife Caleb and Mattie Hodgekiss.

05of 10Todd BridgesTodd Bridges.NBCJust before landing his breakout role onDiff’rent Strokes,Todd Bridgesplayed Solomon Henry on a season 3 episode of the series.

05of 10

Todd Bridges

Todd Bridges.NBC

Just before landing his breakout role onDiff’rent Strokes,Todd Bridgesplayed Solomon Henry on a season 3 episode of the series.

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Sean Penn

Sean Penn.TCD/Prod.DB/Alamy

TCD/Prod.DB/Alamy

07of 10Louis Gossett Jr.Louis Gossett Jr.NBCBack in the 1970s,Louis Gossett Jr.appeared in one episode ofLittle Houseduring season 2. The actor, who had a decade-spanning career in Hollywood with impactful roles inRoots,An Officer and a GentlemanandA Raisin in the Sunon Broadway, died in 2024.

07of 10

Louis Gossett Jr.

Louis Gossett Jr.NBC

Back in the 1970s,Louis Gossett Jr.appeared in one episode ofLittle Houseduring season 2. The actor, who had a decade-spanning career in Hollywood with impactful roles inRoots,An Officer and a GentlemanandA Raisin in the Sunon Broadway, died in 2024.

08of 10Ernest BorgnineErnest Borgnine.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyErnest Borgnine, whose Hollywood career dated back to the 1950s, made a brief appearance inLittle House on the Prairiein 1974. The actor, who was known for his roles in films likeFrom Here to EternityandMarty, died in 2012.

08of 10

Ernest Borgnine

Ernest Borgnine.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Ernest Borgnine, whose Hollywood career dated back to the 1950s, made a brief appearance inLittle House on the Prairiein 1974. The actor, who was known for his roles in films likeFrom Here to EternityandMarty, died in 2012.

09of 10Kyle RichardsBonnie Bartlett as Grace Snider Edwards, Radames Pera as John Sanderson Edwards, Kyle Richards as Alicia Sanderson Edwards, Victor French as Isaiah Edwards and Brian Part as Carl Sanderson Edwards.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyKyle Richardslanded the role of Alicia onLittle Housewhen she hadn’t even hit double digits. Amid her time on the series, she also nabbed her role in 1978’sHalloweenas Lindsey.

09of 10

Kyle Richards

Bonnie Bartlett as Grace Snider Edwards, Radames Pera as John Sanderson Edwards, Kyle Richards as Alicia Sanderson Edwards, Victor French as Isaiah Edwards and Brian Part as Carl Sanderson Edwards.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Kyle Richardslanded the role of Alicia onLittle Housewhen she hadn’t even hit double digits. Amid her time on the series, she also nabbed her role in 1978’sHalloweenas Lindsey.

10of 10Patricia NealPatricia Neal.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyWhilePatricia Nealhad a decade-spanning career as a Tony and Oscar-winning actress, in the 1970s she had a brief stint onLittle Housein a two-part episode.“It was a sad episode, but Patricia played Julia so well!“theLittle HouseInstagramaccount said of the role in a tribute to the actress, who died in 2010.

10of 10

Patricia Neal

Patricia Neal.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

WhilePatricia Nealhad a decade-spanning career as a Tony and Oscar-winning actress, in the 1970s she had a brief stint onLittle Housein a two-part episode.

“It was a sad episode, but Patricia played Julia so well!“theLittle HouseInstagramaccount said of the role in a tribute to the actress, who died in 2010.

source: people.com