Quick Facts
Born:
1940-09-15
Birthplace:
Logan, Utah, USA
Credits:
19 Total Roles
Merlin Olsen
Acting
The MovieWise Take
Refining cinematic analysis...
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 the title character in the Western series Father Murphy (1981 - 1983).
Known For
Little House on the Prairie
Jonathan Garvey
Kung Fu
Perlee Skowrin
The Undefeated
Little George
Mitchell
Benton
Petticoat Junction
Self
Something Big
Sgt. Fitzsimmons
One More Train to Rob
Eli Jones
A Fire in the Sky
Stan Webster
Full Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Joe Montana: Cool Under Pressure TV | Self (archive footage) |
| 1988 | Aaron's Way TV | Aaron Miller |
| 1986 | Fathers and Sons TV | Self |
| 1984 | Time Bomb MOVIE | Jake Calahan |
| 1981 | Father Murphy TV | John Michael Murphy |
| 1980 | The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story MOVIE | Todd Simms |
| 1978 | A Fire in the Sky MOVIE | Stan Webster |
| 1975 | Mitchell MOVIE | Benton |
| 1974 | Little House on the Prairie TV | Jonathan Garvey |
| 1972 | Kung Fu TV | Perlee Skowrin |