Noticias

Jack Lilley, the stunt performer and actor who made a home for himself on Little House on the Prairie by working on every one of the beloved NBC drama’s nine seasons, has died. He was 91.

Lilley had Alzheimer’s disease and died Wednesday at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, his granddaughter Savanah Lilley told The Signal, a news outlet in Santa Clarita.

In Blazing Saddles (1974), Lilley played one of the outlaws who loots the town of Rock Ridge, and in one scene, he and his horse slide into a pool of mud and are submerged. It was an accident, but director Mel Brooks liked it so much, he kept it in the movie.

The mustachioed Lilley had worked with Michael Landon on Bonanza for years starting in 1961, and that led to Landon hiring him for Little House in 1974. (Landon, of course, starred in,...

Shannen Doherty, who starred on Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed before exiting both Aaron Spelling-produced shows amid conflicts with co-workers, has lost her long battle with cancer. She was 53.

Doherty died Saturday. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2015; after treatment and several surgeries, she announced in April 2017 that she was in remission. In February 2020, she tearfully revealed on Good Morning America, “I’m stage 4 — my cancer came back,” then said in June 2023 that cancer had spread to her brain.

“I definitely have days where I say, ‘Why me?’ And then I go, ‘Well, why not me? Who else? Who else besides me deserves this?’ None of us do,” she said.

“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease,” publicist Leslie Sloane said in a statement to People.

It's no secret that Michael Landon had a major hand in running Little House on the Prairie. The series wouldn't have been the same without him, both in front of and behind the camera. But even while working on Little House, Landon had other projects brewing. One such venture was a Western drama series he proposed to NBC in the early 1980s. Titled Father Murphy, this show got its start because of the network's previous partnership with Landon on Little House, though the actor wasn't the star of the show this time around. No, that honor went to Merlin Olsen, a former NFL defensive tackle-turned-actor who had played Jonathan Garvey for four seasons on Little House.

Little House on the Prairie featured legendary actors in guest and main roles, leaving impressive legacies in the industry. Notable stars like Jason Bateman, Melora Hardin, and Jonathan Banks appeared on the beloved family Western show. The cast members who have passed away, such as Michael Landon and Katherine MacGregor, left lasting impacts on the TV industry.

The Little House on the Prairie cast who have died in real life include some legendary and prolific actors whose filmographies comprise decades of work. The classic Western historical drama premiered on NBC in 1974 and lasted for nine seasons and three TV movie specials that premiered afterward, all following the Ingalls family who live on a farm in Minnesota in the 1870s-90s. Based on the novels by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House on the Prairie famously featured a large ensemble cast of recurring characters as well as a guest list of notable stars.

Hersha Parady, known for her role as Alice Garvey on NBC‘s Little House on the Prairie, has died at the age of 78. She passed away on August 23 in her son Jonathan Peverall’s home in Norfolk, Virginia, according to Peverall. The actress suffered from a brain tumor, and her son set up a GoFundMe account in order to help pay the expenses. Parady and former NFL star Merlin Olsen were introduced in Season 4 of the series as husband and wife Alice and Jonathan Garvey in September 1977. She took on the role for 35 episodes. Her Walnut Grove schoolteacher character was tragically killed during a Season 6 episode, “May We Make Them Proud,” a two-hour episode, which saw Alice race to save some children inside a burning school for the blind, including Mary and Adam’s (Melissa Sue Anderson & Linwood Boomer) infant son. Alice finds the baby and tries to escape through an upstairs bedroom window,...

Hersha Parady, who played schoolteacher Alice Garvey on the beloved show “Little House on the Prairie,” has died after a long struggle with a brain tumor. She was 78.

The actress’ death was first confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter by her son, Jonathan Peverall, who did not immediately respond to messages sent Thursday. Peverall had started a GoFundMe page to help with her medical expenses.

“Hersha, who has always been an active and outgoing woman, is battling a tough medical condition – a brain tumor known as meningioma,” he wrote in July.”This illness has robbed her of her strength, her memory, and sadly, her vibrant personality. She has become largely bedridden, and it is very difficult to see my Mom, who was once full of life and energy, now struggling with basic daily activities.”

Parady played Walnut Grove schoolteacher Mrs. Garvey from 1977-1980, and the Garveys (Merlin Olsen played Jonathan Garvey...

Hersha Parady, whose three-season run as Walnut Grove schoolteacher Alice Garvey on Little House on the Prairie came to an unforgettable, dark end for fans of the beloved NBC drama, has died. She was 78.

Parady died Wednesday in the Norfolk, Virginia, home of her son, Jonathan Peverall, he told The Hollywood Reporter. She had been dealing with a brain tumor, and he had set up a GoFundMe page to help with expenses.

Parady and former NFL star Merlin Olsen were introduced as wife and husband Alice and Jonathan Garvey on the Michael Landon-created Little House on the Prairie during the season-four opening episode, “Castoffs,” in September 1977.

On the sixth-season installment “May We Make Them Proud,” which aired as a two-hour episode during a sweeps ratings period in February 1980, Alice races into the School for the Blind, which has caught fire, to save some children inside, including Mary and Adam’s (Melissa Sue Anderson,...

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By Fred Blosser

In Andrew V. McLaglen’s “One More Train to Rob,” an obscure but modestly entertaining Western from 1971, train robber Harker Fleet (George Peppard) masterminds the armed theft of $40,000 from a Wells Fargo express. Thanks to his careful planning, he and his gang all have airtight alibis when the law comes calling. His partners Tim (John Vernon) and Katy (Diana Muldaur) posed as passengers on the train, and his other henchmen Slim, Red, and Jimmy were presumed asleep in their bunks at a nearby ranch. Checking on Fleet’s whereabouts during the holdup, the sheriff is assured by the town madam Louella that she and Harker were together in her bed all night. Louella is played by Marie Windsor, still plenty hot at fifty-two, if I may be excused a little ageism and sexism. The sheriff is ready to let Fleet off the hook,...

Roger Brown, who terrorized a generation of pro and college football players as one of the most prolific defensive tackles in history, has died at age 84. No cause of death was given by his family, which confirmed his death.

A six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle, Brown played seven seasons for the Detroit Lions, then was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 1967. He replaced Rosey Grier as part of the legendary “Fearsome Foursome” on the Rams, a defensive line that featured Deacon Jones, Lamar Lundy and Merlin Olsen. He made an instant impact and again became a Pro Bowler with the Rams.

Brown was drafted by the Lions out of Maryland Eastern Shore in the fourth round in the 1960 draft. He made the Pro Bowl every year from 1962 to 1966. He most notably had seven sacks of Green Bay quarterback Bart Starr in one game, including one for a safety.

Brown...

Another day, another reboot announcement.

Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Little House on the Prairie is getting the update treatment.

A reboot is officially in development on a one-hour drama that would be based on Laura Wilder's beloved novels.

The new series would be co-produced by Paramount TV Studios, Anonymous Content, and Friendly Family Productions.

Details are scarce at this early stage, which is not uncommon for a project this early into development.

The book series was previously adapted into a TV series for NBC and starred Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert.

It was a roaring success and aired from 1974-83, having tremendous staying power.

TV movies followed the end of the original series, while ABC aired a miniseries based on the books in 2005.

The original series centered around the Ingalls Family, who live on a small farm near the village of Walnut Grove, Minn., in the late 1800s.

A reboot of “Little House on the Prairie” is in the works at Paramount TV Studios and Anonymous Content, TheWrap has learned.

The one-hour drama would be based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s iconic “Little House” novels and would be co-produced by Paramount TV Studios, Anonymous Content and Friendly Family Productions. There’s no word yet on the creative team or talent that would be attached to the “Little House on the Prairie” reboot.

The book series was previously adapted into an NBC show starring Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert, which ran for nine seasons between 1974 and 1983.

The original “Little House on the Prairie,” also produced by Friendly Family Productions, centered around the Ingalls Family, who live on a small farm near the village of Walnut Grove, Minn., in the 1870s, 1880s and 1890s. The show primarily focused on Gilbert’s character, Laura, as the “Little House” novels were an autobiographical work by Wilder.

Under the radar comedy western from director Andrew McLaglen starring Dean Martin, Brian Keith and a surrealistic supporting cast including Honor Blackman, Ben Johnson and football star/announcer Merlin Olsen. The convoluted farce focuses on the last hurrah of bandit Joe Baker (Dino) before he settles down to married life.

The post Something Big appeared first on Trailers From Hell.

“Little House on the Prairie” producer Kent McCray died of natural causes in Los Angeles on Sunday. He was 89.

McCray was born on June 7, 1928, the second son of Thomas Chapman McCray — an executive with the NBC Radio Network — and singer Dorothy Baldwin McCray. A Hartford, Conn., native, McCray found his passion for entertainment early on during his time at the Kimball Union Academy prep school in New Hampshire. While at Kimball, McCray built sets, directed, acted, and sang in several school theatrical productions.

Three years after graduating from the University of Hartford, McCray began his television career at NBC in L.A. as a production coordinator on the “All Star Revue” and “The Colgate Comedy Hour.” Other assignments followed quickly, including “The Red Skelton Show,” “The Ralph Edwards Show,” “This Is Your Life,” and “You Bet Your Life” starring Groucho Marx.

When NBC announced its shift away from live television into filmed entertainment,...

If Ndamukong Suh signs with the Rams, L.A. could rival one of the most-feared defensive lines in NFL history ... this according to Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson. TMZ Sports spoke with E.D. about the team's current recruitment of the 5-time Pro Bowler ... and he says adding Suh to an already-stacked d-line would be a "great fit" for the Rams. Fyi -- the Rams have orchestrated what are considered some of the most dominant defensive...

Dick Enberg, a Hall of Fame broadcaster known as much for his excited calls of "Oh my!" as the big events he covered during a 60-year career, died Thursday. He was 82.

Enberg's daughter, Nicole Enberg Vaz, confirmed the death to The Associated Press. She said the family became concerned when he didn't arrive on his flight to Boston on Thursday, and that he was found dead at his home in La Jolla, a San Diego neighborhood, with his bags packed.

His daughter said the family believes Enberg died of a heart attack but was awaiting official word.

"It's very, very, very shocking," Vaz said. "He'd been busy with two podcasts and was full of energy."

News of his death was first reported by The San Diego Union-Tribune.

The San Diego Padres paid tribute, saying in a statement, "We are immensely saddened by the sudden and unexpected passing of legendary broadcaster Dick Enberg. Dick was an institution...

Dick Enberg, a Hall of Fame broadcaster, died today at his La Jolla, Ca. home, according to his family. He was 82 years old. If you grew up watching National Football League games, the passing of Enberg is a real mortality check. His pairing on games with Merlin Olsen didn’t get as much attention as, say,the CBS team of John Madden and the late Pat Summerall. But Enberg brought an ease of vocal delivery and lent an authoritative feeling in his play-by-play work that…...

Chicago – Melissa Gilbert has grown up a bit since portraying Laura Ingalls on the 1970s TV classic “Little House on the Prairie,” but her roots aren’t far behind. She’s just released “My Prairie Cookbook: Memories and Frontier Food from My Little House to Yours,” and appeared last month at North Central College in Naperville, Ill. – at an event sponsored by Anderson’s Bookshop – to greet admirers and sign her new menu planner.

Melissa Gilbert at North Central College in Naperville, September 18th, 2014

Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

From 1974 to 1983, Gilbert starred as Laura Ingalls as a child – Ingalls eventually grew up and wrote the “Little House on the Prairie” series of books – and the NBC-tv show also famously featured Michael Landon, Melissa Sue Anderson, Alison Arngrim and Merlin Olsen. Landon also executive produced the show, and was so convinced that Gilbert was the...

Attorney Edward Hookstratton, who represented Elvis Presley, Johnny Carson and many major TV and sports media personalities, is dead at the age of 83. He died Wednesday at his Beverly Hills home, according to publicist Todd Beck. Hookstratten’s client list included Joey Bishop, Tom Snyder, Dan Rowan and Dick Martin, Tom Brokaw and Jessica Savitch, as well as sports media heavyweights including Vin Scully, Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen. “Ed Hookstratten was a brilliant lawyer, my representative, and one of my dearest friends in all the world,” said Scully. ”He introduced me to my wife Sandi, was our best man at the.

The sports and entertainment attorney died late Wednesday at his home in Beverly Hills of natural causes. Edward Gregory Hookstratten was 83. The general counsel for the L.A. Rams for several years, Hookstratten’s 50-year career including repping some of the biggest names in front of the camera and on the field. Johnny Carson, Elvis Presley, Dan Rowan and Dick Martin, and Joey Bishop were clients along with newscasters Bryant Gumbel, Tom Brokaw, Tom Snyder and Jessica Savitch. In the world of sports, Hookstratten represented Vin Scully, Pat Reilly, Marcus Allen, Dick Enberg, Merlin Olsen, Dick Stockton, Don Meredith, Jim Hill and Pat Haden. On the big screen, Hookstratten was a producer on the 1996 news drama Up Close & Personal starring Robert Redford and Michelle Pfeiffer. He was also name-dropped in Rob Reiner’s classic rock mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, where Fred Willard’s Air Force colonel was named “Lt.

Ed Hookstratten, the legendary sports and entertainment attorney, died Wednesday of natural causes after a long illness at his home in Beverly Hills, publicist Todd Beck reported. He was 83. In a career that spanned more than 50 years, Hookstratten was a powerful and iconic force in show business, with clients that included Elvis Presley, Dan Rowan & Dick Martin, Joey Bishop and Johnny Carson (he replaced Henry Bushkin at Carson Productions); news personalities Bryant Gumbel, Tom Brokaw, Tom Snyder and Jessica Savitch; and Vin Scully, Dick Enberg, Phyllis George, Merlin Olsen, Harry Kalas, Dick Stockton, Pat Haden, Marcus Allen and Don Meredith from the world

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One of the greatest football players of all time has sadly passed away.

Deacon Jones, once called the greatest defensive end of modern football, died of natural causes on June 3 in his south Californian home. He was 74-years-old. He played for the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, and the most recently Washington Redskins.

Deacon Jones’ Legacy

Deacon leaves behind his wife Elizabeth in his death. They had no children.

Deacon is one of the most famous footballers of all time, and he was considered by many to revolutionize the position of defensive end, while coining the term “sack.”

He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980, and leaves behind a very impressive legacy.

Deacon Jones’ Fearsome Foursome

Just like The Beatles, Deacon was one member of a very important foursome: the La Rams Fearsome Foursome.

Along with Merlin Olsen, Rosey Grier and Lamar Lundy,...

David "Deacon" Jones, the Hall of Fame defensive end credited with terming the word sack for how he knocked down quarterbacks, has died at 74. The Washington Redskins said that Jones died of natural causes at his home in Southern California on Monday night. "Deacon Jones was one of the greatest players in NFL history. Off the field, he was a true giant," said Redskins general manager Bruce Allen, whose father, George, coached Jones with the Los Angeles Rams. "His passion and spirit will continue to inspire those who knew him. He was a cherished member of the Allen family and...

Double the nightmare fuel

Welcome back to Little House on the South Side.

Actually, the Gallagher family does bear a striking resemblance to to that put-upon frontier clan. Sure, they don't have to contend with anyone going blind, or falling down an old-timey well, or Merlin Olsen hunting them down and skinning them, but they do have to deal with one cataclysmic event after another.

Luckily, they have each other to pull them through the dark times, and nowhere was that more evident than in the finale, which was a fitting conclusion to a terrific introductory season.

Frank is in deep trouble, and he may not be able to b.s. his way out of this one. He regains consciousness reeking of booze with his pants around his ankles. So far, a typical morning, but then he slowly realizes that he had sex with the underage Karen.

Frank heads over...

The 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards delivered a night of genuine surprises and evenly distributed accolades, with "Mad Men" coming out on top for the third consecutive year as Outstanding Drama Series -- and "Modern Family" out-dysfunctioning "Glee" for Outstanding Comedy Series. Read on for the recap! Get the complete list of Emmy winners Here! The big upset of the night truly was achieved by "Modern Family," as the momentum and popularity of "Glee" was expected by many to out-sing the competition, which included powerhouse "30 Rock," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Nurse Jackie" and "The Office." On the drama side, many may have hoped that "Lost" would win, given that that this year marked its swan song, but "Mad Men" still beat out the Oceanic castaways as well as "Dexter," "The Good Wife," "True Blood" and "Breaking Bad." "Breaking Bad" still had a good night, with Bryan Cranston celebrating his third consecutive Emmy...

Welcome to the 229th Edition. This week I pay tribute to the late Peter Graves, Merlin Olsen, and Robert Culp. I have one selection from the Random Myspace Profile selection process. Next week will have none. On April 9th at 8:00 pm, my friends Eric and Sheila Schroeder are one of the couples featured on the show Wife Swap on CBS. Don't miss it as I'm sure it will be a pretty entertaining...

The widow of Merlin Olsen has amended a lawsuit the couple filed while the Little House On The Prairie star was still alive, holding studio bosses responsible for the actor developing a rare form of cancer.

Former American football star Olsen died earlier this month after losing his battle with mesothelioma at the age of 69.

Prior to his death, he and his wife Susan had filed suit against 38 defendants, alleging they had exposed the actor to asbestos, which reportedly led to the development of his cancer.

Susan Olsen has now resubmitted the legal papers to include executives at NBC Studios and 20th Century Fox Film Corp., as well as paint manufacturers Sherwin-Williams, reports TMZ.com.

She claims Olsen was exposed to the deadly asbestos while he worked on TV and movie sets and she is seeking unspecified damages.

Merlin Olsen's wife has amended the lawsuit she and Merlin filed while he was alive, claiming NBC Studios, 20th Century Fox Film Corp., Sherwin Williams and others cost the former Los Angeles Rams star his life.Olsen and his wife, Susan, previously sued 38 defendants, alleging they exposed the NFL Hall of Famer to Asbestos, allegedly causing him to develop mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer.The asbestos exposure included stints doing construction work in high school and college,...

All-American athlete and Hall of Famer, actor Merlin Olsen died after a battle with cancer that in a 2009 lawsuit Olsen claimed was caused by Asbestos exposure. Olsen sued NBC Studios, NBC Universal, 20th Century Fox Film Corporation, Sherwin Williams, Lennox Industries and other companies, according to TMZ.com. Merlin Olsen transitioned his career from football to a life in front of the cameras. Olsen was loved by many smallscreen fans for his roles in "Little House on the Prairie" and "Father Murphy." "Just heard about the passing of Merlin Olsen. I am so sad," Little House star Melissa Gilbert Tweeted. "My heart go out to his dear family. He was one of the sweetest, kindest, men I...

Melissa Gilbert has paid tribute to her Little House On The Prairie co-star Merlin Olsen, who died on Thursday.

The former American football star-turned-actor lost his battle with cancer following three courses of chemotherapy. He was 69.

Olsen was inducted into the football Hall of Fame in 1982 after playing for the Los Angeles Rams, but made his mark in Hollywood by playing Jonathan Garvey in Little House on the Prairie between 1977 and 1981.

But despite his intimidating presence on the football field, former child star Gilbert remembers Olsen as a sweetheart.

In a post on her Twitter.com page, Gilbert writes, "Just heard about the passing of Merlin Olsen. I am so sad. My heart go (sic) out to his dear family. He was one of the sweetest, kindest men I have ever known. The personification of the Gentle Giant. Forever now, a guardian angel."...

Little House On The Prairie regular and Father Murphy star Merlin Olsen has lost his battle with cancer. He was 69.

A former American football star, Olsen was inducted into the sport's Hall of Fame in 1982 after playing for the Los Angeles Rams, where he was part of the Fearsome Foursome, a formidable defensive force in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

He started his acting career in The Undefeated in 1969 and went on to appear on TV shows like Walking Tall, Kung Fu and Petticoat Junction, while still playing with the Rams.

But he really made his mark as Jonathan Garvey in episodes of Little House on the Prairie between 1977 and 1981. That led to lead roles in Father Murphy in the early 1980s and Aaron's Way in 1988 and 1989.

Olsen was also a respected sports broadcaster in America.

Merlin Olsen, the Hall of Fame football star-turned-actor and commentator, has died. He was 69.

Olsen died Thursday of mesothelioma at City of Hope hospital outside of Los Angeles, Utah State University, his alma mater, said.

A three-time academic All-American at Utah State, Olsen signed with the Los Angeles Rams after college in 1962, where he became a star defensive tackle. In 1963, he was joined on the line by Deacon Jones, Rosey Grier and Lamar Lundy to form ...

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Early Thursday (March 11) morning, Merlin Olsen, Hall of Fame tackle for the Los Angeles Rams/"Little House on the Prairie" sidekick/Ftd flowers pitchman/facial-hair pioneer/best dude named Merlin since, well, the original Merlin, died at a hospital in Duarte, California. He was 69 years old.

Born in Utah, Olsen starred as a defensive tackle at Utah State University, and was drafted by both the NFL and its upstart rival league, the Afl. He ended up signing with the NFL's Los Angeles Rams, where he would anchor one of the all-time great defensive fronts, the so-called "Fearsome Foursome." After an illustrious 15-year career, he retired and worked as a color commentator, and began a memorable run as Michael Landon's sidekick on "Little House on the Prairie." That led to other TV work, including a stint as a pitchman for Ftd Florists (here he is rocking a pith helmet and...

Salt Lake City (AP) — Merlin Olsen, a Hall of Fame defensive lineman and member of the Los Angeles Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" who followed up football with a successful television career in "Little House on the Prairie," NFL broadcasts and commercials, has died. He was 69. Utah State, Olsen's alma mater, said he died outside of Los Angeles early Thursday after battling cancer. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung lining, last year. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement lauding Olsen as an "extraordinary person, friend and football player." "He cared deeply about people, especially those that...

By Lisa Horowitz

Merlin Olsen, who transitioned from a Hall of Fame career in the NFL to starring in TV series including "Father Murphy," died of cancer Thursday at a Southern California hospital. He was 69.

Olsen was diagnosed with mesothelioma last year and had undergone several rounds of chemotherapy.

Olsen gained fame as a member of the Los Angeles Rams' "Fearsome Foursome." Along with Deacon Jones, Lamar Lunc...

On January 1 we reported that former football star and actor Merlin Olsen was suing NBC Universal, NBC Studios, and 20th Century Fox for exposing him to asbestos over the years. Now comes word that Olsen has died of mesothelioma in California.

Olsen was someone who had successful careers in both sports and acting. TV drama fans will remember him from his roles in 'Little House on the Prairie' (he played Jonathan Garvey) and 'Father Murphy' (as the title character) and football fans will remember his long pro football career playing for The Los Angeles Rams. He was the 1962 Rookie of the Year and retired in 1976 after being named to the Pro Bowl fourteen times. He also had a career as a sports commentator and analyst.

Olsen had roles in other TV shows and movies as well, including 'Aaron's Way,' 'Fathers and Sons,' 'Kung Fu,...

Merlin Olsen, the NFL Hall of Famer-turned-small-screen star, has died at his Utah home of cancer. He was 69. Best known for the hit series Little House on the Prairie and Father Murphy, Olsen was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2009 and had undergone several rounds of chemotherapy. "Just heard about the passing of Merlin Olsen. I am so sad," tweeted Little House star Melissa Gilbert. "My heart go out to his dear family. He was one of the sweetest, kindest, men I have ever known. The personification of the Gentle Giant. Forever now, a guardian angel." Before becoming Gilbert's "Gentle Giant," Olsen terrorized opposing teams as one of the "Fearsome Foursome" during his...

Merlin Olsen, the burly member of the Los Angeles Rams' "Fearsome Foursome," and later an actor known to TV viewers for his supporting role as Jonathan Garvey on "Little House on the Prarie" and the eponymous role in "Father Murphy," has died, according to the Herald Journal. He was 69. More details as they emerge.

Merlin Olsen, a bearded, gentle-giant Pro Football Hall of Famer who went on to a successful TV career as an actor, announcer, host and pitchman, died Thursday of cancer near Los Angeles. He was 69.

He was diagnosed last year with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung lining.

Olsen played his entire 15-year career with the Los Angeles Rams, who drafted the All-American defensive lineman from Utah State with the third overall pick in 1962. A member of the defensive line known as the Fearsome Foursome -- with Rosey Grier, Deacon Jones and Lamar Lundy -- that helped glamorize defensive players, he was named rookie of the year, went to 14 consecutive Pro Bowls, was voted NFL Mvp in 1974 and remains the franchise leader in tackles with 915.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Thursday lauded Olsen as an "extraordinary person, friend and football player."

"He cared deeply about people, especially those that shared the game of football with him,...

Our brothers and sisters over at TV Squad have busted through the boob tube and brought with them the following juicy bits of must-see eye candy.

Merlin Olsen, former star of Little House on the Prairie and Father Murphy, is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer and is suing NBC for exposing him to asbestos. For those of us jonesing for new episodes of Lost, check out this contest, the winners of which will get to see a sneak preview of the season premiere. Check out this look at the top ten cooking shows of all time, and I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who remembers The Galloping Gourmet. Over the long history of BBC's Dr. Who the good Doctor has regenerated several times, allowing the show a handy plot device for changing its lead actor. BBC News has an article online in which several current cast members are interviewed about the phenomenon.

Merlin Olsen, who was a football player and then went on to become a sportscaster for NBC and an actor on such TV shows as Little House on the Prairie and Father Murphy, is suing NBC Studios, NBC Universal, and 20th Century Fox for exposing him to asbestos. Olsen was diagnosed with mesothelioma last year and is undergoing chemotherapy.

But the lawsuit doesn't stop there. Because he was exposed to asbestos at a job when he was around 11 years old and also exposed when he was an adult while working at a job involving drywall, Olsen is also suing Sherwin-Williams and Lennox Industries.

Hmmm, I have zero legal training (unless you count watching L.A. Law reruns as legal training), but I wonder if the fact that Olsen says that he was exposed to asbestos when he was younger will affect the lawsuit? Maybe he would have more luck suing the earlier companies rather than NBC?...