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Merlin Olsen

Sep 15, 1940 - Mar 10, 2010 (69 years old) in Logan, Utah, USA

Merlin Jay Olsen (September 15, 1940 – March 11, 2010) was an American professional football player, announcer, and actor. For his entire 15-year professional football career (1962 - 1976), he was a defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams. He was selected to play in the Pro Bowl a then-record 14 times (surpassed only by Tom Brady). He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. As an actor, Olsen is best known for portraying farmer Jonathan Garvey on the fourth through seventh seasons of Little House on the Prairie (1977 - 1981). He went on to star as the title character in the Western series Father Murphy (1981 - 1983).

Known For

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Little House on the Prairie
Jonathan Garvey
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Petticoat Junction
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Something Big
Sgt. Fitzsimmons
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Monday Night Football
Defensive Tackle
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The Brian Keith Show
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One More Train to Rob
Eli Jones
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Father Murphy
John Michael Murphy
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Mitchell
Benton
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The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story
Todd Simms
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The Undefeated
Little George

Credits