Person

Merlin Olsen

Acting · 1940–2010 · 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).

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  Little House on the Prairie

  Jonathan Garvey

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  Petticoat Junction

  1963

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  Monday Night Football

  Defensive Tackle

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  Shindig!

  1964

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  Father Murphy

  John Michael Murphy

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  The Brian Keith Show

  1972

• Aaron's Way

  Aaron Miller

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  The Undefeated

  Little George

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  Joe Montana: Cool Under Pressure

  Self (archive footage)

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  One More Train to Rob

  Eli Jones

• 2022Joe Montana: Cool Under PressureSelf (archive footage)
• 1988Aaron's WayAaron Miller
• 1986Fathers and Sons
• 1984Time BombJake Calahan
• 1981Father MurphyJohn Michael Murphy
• 1980The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love StoryTodd Simms
• 1978A Fire in the SkyStan Webster
• 1975MitchellBenton
• 1974Little House on the PrairieJonathan Garvey
• 1972Kung FuPerlee Skowrin
• 1972The Brian Keith Show
• 1971Something BigSgt. Fitzsimmons
• 1971One More Train to RobEli Jones
• 1970Monday Night FootballDefensive Tackle
• 1969The UndefeatedLittle George
• 1964Shindig!
• 1963Petticoat Junction