Merlin Olsen
Acting
Biography
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…
Also known as
Merlin Jay Olsen
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Known For
Little House on the Prairie
1974 · TV
Petticoat Junction
1963 · TV
Monday Night Football
1970 · TV
Shindig!
1964 · TV
Father Murphy
1981 · TV
The Brian Keith Show
1972 · TV
The Undefeated
1969 · Movie
Aaron's Way
1988 · TV
Joe Montana: Cool Under Pressure
2022 · TV
Something Big
1971 · Movie
A Fire in the Sky
1978 · Movie
One More Train to Rob
1971 · Movie