‘Little House on the Prairie’: Michael Landon ‘Barely Acknowledged’ This Generous Gesture From Karen Grassle
Michael Landon created the NBC hit Little House on the Prairie in 1974 and starred in the series as patriarch Charles Ingalls. Recruiting theater actor Karen Grassle to portray wife Caroline on the historical drama, Landon had to take some take time off when a medical issue forced him to stay in bed. Being trusted with extra responsibility during Landon’s absence, Grassle wanted to pay tribute to her boss and co-star for all he had been through with a public declaration of appreciation.
Michael Landon was sidelined by spinal meningitis
Landon was known for his strong work ethic and rarely let anything slow him down. Yet in season 2, he contracted spinal meningitis and landed in the hospital. Grassle was called upon to carry an episode entitled “The Award” which put the spotlight on her and co-star Melissa Sue Anderson.
“Everything, in our Little House family and for [Landon’s wife] Lynn and the kids, rested on Mike, and now he had crashed,” Grassle wrote in her memoir “Bright Lights, Prairie Dust“. “What would happen?”
Despite the mounting pressure, Grassle proudly took on the challenge and felt privileged to be given such a major part in the episode. She even gave pivotal suggestions for the script that were used in several scenes.
“Despite my deep concern for Mike and his family, receiving this role on short notice was my oats,” she revealed. “Like a racehorse trained to run, I stepped to the starting gate with a whinny and a spark in my eye. My years as a Broadway understudy, my time in summer stock doing a play a week, taught me how to rise to an occasion.”
Karen Grassle wanted to publicly honor Michael Landon
Landon recovered and came back to the set after “The Award” was filmed and expressed his gratitude to Grassle for going the extra mile.
“When Mike returned, he made a point of thanking me for my contribution to the script,” Grassle remarked. “He told me it had taken him years on Bonanza before he was able to do that. … I was touched by his thanking me.”
With Landon always demonstrating his commitment to the series and giving her credit for pinch hitting in his absence, Grassle was inspired to honor her co-star and boss in a trumpeted statement of appreciation.
“I wanted us to create a public acknowledgment, something that would speak to the Hollywood community,” she explained. “What did they know of Mike’s professionalism? It needed to be declared publicly.”
The ‘Little House’ cast and crew chipped in for a published tribute
Grassle decided to print an ad in a major industry trade paper to rave of Landon’s accomplishments. She was surprised by his muted response to the collaborative gesture.
“I went to the Hollywood Reporter and designed a full-page tribute,” she wrote. “We all contributed to the cost. … The day the ad came out, I was bursting with pride. Mike barely acknowledged it, which was disappointing, but I know we all felt good about it.”
The Little House alum attributed his lackluster reaction to having to wrap up the show’s second season.
“I suspected he was secretly pleased,” she noted. “I imagine he was preoccupied with the two-part special he was writing and directing for the big climax of the season.”
