Latest news with #LittleHouseOnThePrairie
Buzz Feed
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Bonnie Bartlett Reflects On 'Little House' Legacy
Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels have had incredible careers, portraying some of television's most iconic characters, including Grace Edwards in Little House On The Prairie and Mr. Feeny in Boy Meets World. Between the recent 50th anniversary of Little House On The Prairie and the launch of William and Bonnie's official merch store, it was a perfect time to catch up with the legendary Bonnie Bartlett-Daniels. BuzzFeed: I heard you got the part for Grace Edwards the same day that you met Michael Landon. Was that surprising for you? Bonnie Bartlett: Oh, very surprising. I didn't think it would be that way, and my agent didn't think it would be that way. I don't know what went on in Michael's mind, but we met, and he had a part for me, and you know, that was it. I always had a soft spot for Grace. She carried herself with such class and such strength. What was it like portraying her character? Bonnie Bartlett: I had so many older Aunties. I'm from the Midwest. I was born in Wisconsin, and I was raised in Illinois, in a small town. I was constantly surrounded by Aunt this, Aunt that, Grandma this, Grandma that, and they were all great. (The men were not so great, but the women were all great!) It was just natural for me to play those Aunts. In Grace's first appearance ("Mr. Edwards' Homecoming"), we see Grace and Isaiah's romance blossom. What was your favorite thing about working with Victor French? Bonnie Bartlett: He kept it so lighthearted, you know? It was fun most of the time. Then later on, it got more serious, and I had to kind of help him to focus, but we just seemed to know what to do with each other. It was similar to when my husband [William Daniels] and I worked together; we just knew what to do. For Little House, Isaiah and Grace kind of just knew what to do. "Mr. Edwards' Homecoming" was a really sweet episode, full of cute moments. Were there any favorite moments that stick out to you? Bonnie Bartlett: I remember the time when I had the jug! [Grace drinks from Mr. Edwards' jug, which looks like it has alcohol but really just has water.] I love that part! I don't drink at all — but it was so fun to do that, take that jug and do it like that, you know, the way you're supposed to do it. They showed me how to do that, and that was fun. Oh yes! I loved it when Mr. Hanson walks in and he sees Grace having a swig from the jug and is horrified — very clever writing! Bonnie Bartlett: Grace is the postmistress, which was the fun part. She was kind of a prim, middle-aged lady, and was just opening up to how much fun it could be with Isaiah. It was beautifully written, and we had fun doing it. One of my favorite scenes is when Mr. Edwards proposes to Grace, and they get married. What's something that sticks out to your mind when you think about that moment? Bonnie Bartlett: What sticks out for me is that at the time, I'm a 45-year-old woman, and Grace is getting married, and that is a very emotional thing. Grace and Isaiah have a physical attraction, which is played down in the show — it's underneath everything, but it is there. That's what makes it interesting, because their physical attraction is beneath everything; it's never recognized. Do you know what I mean? It makes a kind of tension between them. That kind of tension makes it fun. I had to leave Little House because Victor left. He left the show to do his own sitcom [the show Carter Country ]. The writers had other scripts, but they said to me, "Sorry, but you're out." Victor eventually came back, but by that time, I was onto other things, because Little House was my first job here in California. I was doing all kinds of movies, and I couldn't have gone back, and they moved on to other stuff. I was getting used to California and getting used to doing other things, so I was fine. Soon after came St. Elsewhere! I've done so many 'movies-of-the-week,' so many parts in different shows — but Little House was probably the most fun of all, and I adored Melissa [Gilbert]. What was Michael Landon like as a director? I heard he ran the set very efficiently. Bonnie Bartlett: Well, he did something that I didn't like at first. I had to get used to it. He blocked all the technical stuff, not with the actors, but he blocked it with the stand-ins. Then the stand-ins told you what to do physically, and that standard was strange to me. I never had anything like that; I was always in on the very beginning. But he did it like that, and he managed to do it. I've written a book, and a lot of memories are in the book. One of the things I found out later was sad; I found out a few sad things that I didn't know. When we would sit down for lunch, Michael was always there. He was always kind of wandering around. He was like a shepherd taking care of his flock, but he never sat down and ate anything. He just drank something, and I didn't know — I thought it was coffee or something. It turns out that it was vodka, and Michael drank much too much, and so did Victor. I'm extremely concerned about what that does to people, how it shortens people's lives, and it's sad. That's the sad part of Little House, that those two men, these two wonderful guys, both went very early. Michael only wanted to help people. Of course, he wanted to be successful, but it really meant something to him to have a positive effect on people. It meant something to him very much. Your husband, William Daniels, also inspired my generation with his role as Mr. Feeny in Boy Meets World. What has it been like to meet all the Boy Meets World and Little House fans at conventions? Bonnie Bartlett: I love it. They're very different people. My fans are older women, and they related to Little House. So mostly, my fans will be sweet, very sweet, older women. William's fans are younger. An incredible amount of people watch Boy Meets World, and love Mr. Feeny, and they ask him for advice. Billy [William] does the best he can. My son helps him, and William does his best to be positive. He's very proud of the fact that so many people have been inspired to become teachers. He really thinks that's a great thing to do for your country, for your people. We need good educators. ABC Photo Archives / Disney General Entertainment Content / Via Getty Images I also wanted to bring up your role in The Golden Girls, where you portrayed the infamous Barbaba Thorndyke! Bonnie Bartlett: Bea [Arthur] and I were actually friends in New York, and we had no idea that episode would be so popular. I think it's one of their most popular episodes. Barbara Thorndyke — I knew she was awful, but I didn't think she was such a villain. It has been a surprise to me just how much people responded to Barbara. [Check out the Barbara Thorndyke T-shirt on William and Bonnie's website, featuring Dorothy's iconic quote, "Go To Hell!"] Her character has truly become an iconic Golden Girls villain! Betty White also did a fantastic job in that episode. Do you have any favorite memories of working with her? Bonnie Bartlett: One of my favorite things that happened, and I think this was before I did Golden Girls, was that we were at some kind of an event. My mother was in town, and so my mother went with us, and Betty White sat with us. My mother was not a demonstrative person, but she was so thrilled to be sitting there with Betty White. And it just happened — you can't plan these things! You and William have had such incredible careers. Do you have any wisdom you would like to share with my generation? Bonnie Bartlett: All I can say is, keep exercising, don't drink, don't smoke. Take care of yourself first, and I don't mean being selfish, I just mean take care of your mind, take care of your body. It's a tough world out there. I feel great sympathy for the younger people who are trying to navigate our business. It's hard, and it's also hard for middle-aged people. So I can only say for the young people, you know, you gotta get out there, take care of yourself, and find out what you want to do. That's really important, to make a living at something that you like to do, but still make a living. I think the character of Grace Edwards would agree with you completely. Bonnie Bartlett: Yes, I think she would! Thank you, Bonnie, for sharing stories of your incredible career and the words of wisdom! Check out Bonnie and William's official website for autographed pictures, books, T-shirts, and more! Autographed copies of Bonnie's autobiography, Middle of the Rainbow, are available.
CTV News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
‘Little House on the Prairie' to start filming in Winnipeg next month
Little House on the Prairie. (© YouTube/LittleHouse) The reboot of a classic TV show is set to start filming in Winnipeg and the surrounding area next month. Netflix and CBS TV are bringing 'Little House on the Prairie' to Manitoba with filming going from June to October. The series, described as a new adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder's semi-autobiographical novels, will be directed by Sara Adina Smith. Kari Casting, an extras casting team in Manitoba that is involved with the production, describes it as 'part hopeful family drama, part epic survival tale and part origin story of the American West.' The TV series will follow the Ingall family who live and work on a farm in the midwestern U.S. during the late 19th century, according to a description from IMDb. Luke Bracey, Alice Halsey, Skywalker Hughes and Crosby Fitzgerald are all set to star in the reboot.
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Netflix's Little House on the Prairie reboot reveals its cast
The Little House on the Prairie reboot cast has been revealed, four months after Netflix announced their plans to release a new take on the beloved Western series. Although it is hard to imagine anyone else portraying members of the Ingalls family, the new faces of the characters, based on the classic books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, have been unveiled. Australian actor, Luke Bracey, best known for his roles in Elvis, Monte Carlo, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, will be portraying Charles Ingalls, also known as 'Pa.' Meanwhile, up-and-coming actress, Crosby Fitzgerald will play Ma, Caroline Ingalls, Alice Halsey will portray Laura and Skywalker Hughes will star as Laura's older sister, Mary. It has been more than 40 years since the original, long-running series wrapped its final episode after nine seasons in 1984. In a statement, obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Jinny Howe, vp drama series for Netflix, revealed that the reboot will be a 'fresh take on this iconic story.' Howe also praised showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine for bringing 'emotional depth that will delight both new and existing fans of this beloved classic.' 'I fell deeply in love with these books when I was five years old. They inspired me to become a writer and a filmmaker, and I am honored and thrilled to be adapting these stories for a new global audience with Netflix,' Sonnenshine said of the upcoming project. Following the announcement on X, social media users expressed outrage and worry that the reboot would be too 'woke.' 'Please don't ruin another treasured piece of literature and Americana,' one tweeted. A second wrote: 'Reimagining? No thank you.' 'Why does it have to be "reimagined"? You're going to screw this up,' a third predicted. Another pleaded with Netflix to 'leave things alone for the love of God.' 'If this is made from a woke leftist perspective the family should sue Netflix,' a fifth wrote. Others begged the streamer not to touch Little House on the Prairie as they stressed they didn't want to see a 'politically correct' version of the show. 'Play the old ones, I'd watch those,' another X user tweeted. A large handful of Netflix subscribers also said they would not watch if it did not stay 'faithful to the original books/tv show.' Others, however, tweeted their excitement and called the news 'awesome.' In June, the Little House on the Prairie cast reunited at the Monte Carlo Television Festival in Monaco. Karen Grassle, Alison Arngrim, Melissa Sue Anderson, Matthew Labyorteaux, and Wendi Lou Lee sat on a panel and reflected on their favorite memories from the show. They also addressed fans questions about a reboot or reunion of the series. 'There have been lots of attempts to do a Little House on the Prairie again,' Grassle, 82, who played the show's matriarch Caroline Ingalls, explained to People. 'There have been shows, there have been a musical, and I think we had a unique experience and it can't be repeated.' 'Michael [Landon] was a genius at casting and writing,' she added of her onscreen husband, who played Charles Ingalls. 'He understood things about how to translate that material into television for the public that was beyond what most writers understand. 'And he had his thumb on the pulse of the public and understood what people were longing for, and you don't find that every day,' she gushed about the late actor who was also an executive producer and writer for the show. 'And then the fact that we were all so perfectly cast was a kind of genius,' she added, looking at her costars. Anderson, who played eldest sister Mary Ingalls, had her own reason for thinking a reboot wouldn't work and its because Landon wouldn't be part of it. 'Little House works on television because of him,' she said. Landon died in 1991. Arngrim, 62, who played Nellie Oleson in the series is ready to take on a new role if there was ever a reboot of Little House – her mother. 'I always joke that if they do redo the entire thing, I am ready to play Mrs. Oleson. Absolutely, I'm down for that,' she sassed. Little House on the Prairie followed the adventures of the Ingalls family as they built a homestead and life in the 19th century Midwest.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jack Lilley Dies: ‘Little House On The Prairie' & ‘Blazing Saddles' Actor & Stuntman Who Had 70-Year Screen Career Was 91
Jack Lilley, whose showbiz career spanned more than seven decades as an actor, stuntman, animal coordinator and other roles and included Little House on the Prairie, Blazing Saddles, John Ford films and TV Westerns, has died. He was 91. His family posted the news on Instagram but did not provide a date or cause of death. 'The man who started it all. Figuratively and literally,' the social post reads in part. 'The card shark, the horse trader, the wrangler, the man with a story for everything, he always knew someone who could help if he couldn't, known to many as friend, storyteller, joker, and a heck of a horseman.' More from Deadline 2025 Deaths Photo Gallery: Hollywood & Media Obituaries Melissa Gilbert Says 'Little House On The Prairie' Reboot At Netflix 'Will Do Things We Didn't Get To Do So Easily In '70s' 'Little House On The Prairie's Melissa Gilbert Reacts To Megyn Kelly's "Woke-ify" Gripe With Netflix Reboot: "Watch Any Episode" Little House star Melissa Gilbert also paid tribute to Lilley on IG, calling him 'one of my favorite people on the planet' and adding, 'I am so lucky that he was my friend.' See her full post below. Born on August 15, 1931, in Santa Clarita, just north of Los Angeles, Lilley started his career in the late 1940s, following his horse-wrangler father into the entertainment industry. The younger Lilley was a trained horseman and began landing stunt, animal-coordinating and background actor work in such early-TV Westerns as Wagon Train, Death Valley Days and nearly three dozen episodes of Zorro. He also worked on a number of big-screen Westerns of the era. In a 2017 interview for SCVTV, Lilly said he got his start 'in 1947, '48, they were all scrambling to make little Westerns — something to sell to TV.' Lilley would go on to work on dozens of shows including Maverick with James Garner, Clint Eastwood's Rawhide, the record-setting Gunsmoke and four seasons on The High Chaparral as a background actor and stand-in for its star Leif Erickson. He also worked with four-time Oscar-winning director Ford on How the West Was Won (1962) and The Man who Shot Liberty Valence (1962), starring James Stewart and John Wayne. He also was part of Wayne's final film, The Shootist (1976). Lilley worked on more than three dozens episodes of Little House on the Prairie during its Emmy-winning 1974-1983 run on NBC. He appeared onscreen, usually uncredited, as a stage or wagon driver, townsman and other bit roles. He also served as a stunt performer and coordinator and stand-in on the beloved series led by Michael Landon and several follow-up TV movies. He later reteamed with Landon on Highway to Heaven. Lilley also was part of the gang put together by Harvey Korman's Hedy Lamarr — oops, that's Hedley — in Mel Brooks' NSFW Western comedy classic Blazing Saddles. And as a stuntman on the 1974 film, he pulled off one of its wildest gags: When the rowdy 'pack of murderers and thieves' first descends on the poor denizens of Rock Ridge, Lilley is riding a horse that appears to slip on a wooden boardwalk and falls into a waterhole. 'It was a freak deal,' Lilley told SCVTV. 'They took a firehose and washed the side of that street at Warner Bros. Well, when that water hits that old wood, it goes like soap. It got slick. If you look at it, I come in on that black horse … this horse weighed 1,200 pounds, and he wasn't a 'falling' horse … but he got to scrambling. I can't look to see if I'm near a glass window or not, so I just snatched him and fell him. I got up, and Mel Brooks went, 'Holy sh*t — what was that? I ain't never seen nothing like that in my life!'' Lilley also talked about doing a 'scrapped' scene when Mongo (Alex Karras) rode that bull into the church where the townspeople were gathered and filming the famous scene when Sheriff Bart (Cleavon Little) happens upon Count Basie and his orchestra in the wilds of what turns out to be Palmdale. DEADLINE RELATED VIDEO: Lilley continued to work in multiple capacities as a stuntman, stand-in and/or background actor throughout the 1980s and '90s on such popular fare as Used Cars, Sudden Impact — again with Eastwood — Pink Cadillac, Army of Darkness, Texas Rangers, Three Amigos! and A Walk in the Clouds. His later TV credits include Dallas, Fantasy Island and Bonanza: The Next Generation. Here is Gilbert's Instagram post about Lilley: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Melissa E. Gilbert (@melissagilbertofficial) Best of Deadline How To Watch 'Wicked: Part One': Is The Film Streaming Yet? All The Songs In 'Severance' Season 2: From The Who To Ella Fitzgerald 2025 Deaths Photo Gallery: Hollywood & Media Obituaries
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Cobra Kai' Sets Up Final Battle With Teaser & New Photos
The end nears for Netflix's Cobra Kai, but there's still more action ahead before the series concludes on February 13. After a shocking result in the Sekai Taikai, Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai must reckon with their pasts while facing an uncertain future both on and off the mat. Almost 40 years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament, it's all been leading to this. More from Deadline Michael Azzolino Named Drama VP, Overall Deals Head Nne Ebong Also Promoted At Netflix 'Little House On The Prairie' Reboot Ordered By Netflix 'Squid Game' Season 2 Star Park Sung-hoon On Creating Nuance & Tackling Fun Challenges As Player 120 The streamer released a new teaser and three photos from scenes in part 3 of Season 6. In the clip, Johnny (William Zabka) is practicing with his son Robby (Tanner Buchanan) as Daniel (Ralph Macchio) is training with his daughter Samantha (Mary Mouser). Tory is getting herself into fighting shape by running track. All this is happening as Gunther Braun (Carsten Norgaard), host of Sekai Taikai, resets the tournament with the understanding that all dojos agree to complete the competition with no more drama. You can see the teaser above. In addition to the above, the series also stars Martin Kove (John Kreese), Thomas Ian Griffith (Terry Silver), Xolo Maridueña (Miguel Diaz), Jacob Bertrand (Hawk), Gianni Decenzo (Demetri), Courtney Henggeler (Amanda LaRusso), Vanessa Rubio (Carmen), Dallas Dupree Young (Kenny), Yuji Okumoto (Chozen), Alicia Hannah-Kim (Sensei Kim Dae-Un), Griffin Santopietro (Anthony), Oona O'Brien (Devon), Rayna Vallandingham (Zara), Patrick Luwis (Axel) and Lewis Tan (Sensei Wolf). Two additional photos can be seen below. Best of Deadline 'Bridgerton' Season 4: Everything We Know So Far 'Knives Out 3': Everything We Know About The Second Rian Johnson Sequel 2025 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Oscars, Spirits, Grammys, Tonys, Guilds & More
