6 Things You Never Knew About ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Star Dean Butler
Dean Butler turns 69 on May 20, 2025, and while he’s done a lot of impressive work in his career, to many of us, he’ll always be Almanzo Wilder of Little House on the Prairie. As the sweet and steady love interest of Laura Ingalls, Butler won hearts in the show’s final seasons and beyond — an experience he chronicled in his book, Prairie Man: My Little House Life & Beyond.
Here are six fun facts you might not know about the Canadian-American actor:
1 He started out on The Streets of San Francisco
Before anyone called him “Manly,” Butler was just a young actor trying to get his foot in the door. His first role came on the crime drama The Streets of San Francisco, a hit show in the mid 1970s starring Karl Malden and Michael Douglas.
2 But he became a star with Forever
That small part opened the door to his first major break: the lead role in the 1978 TV movie Forever, based on Judy Blume’s bestselling novel. Playing the sensitive teen Michael Wagner opposite Stephanie Zimbalist, Butler became an instant heartthrob and caught the eye of producers casting Little House on the Prairie.
3 He had a Broadway moment as a fairy tale prince
While best known for his television roles, Butler is also a seasoned stage performer. In fact, he originated the role of Rapunzel’s Prince in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods on Broadway, bringing charm and humor to the lovesick character. Before that, he toured internationally as Tony in West Side Story and appeared in regional productions of Company, showcasing his musical theater chops.
4 He brought a laid-back vibe to The New Gidget
Columbia Pictures Television/Everett Collection
In the late 1980s, Butler returned to TV fun in The New Gidget, a follow-up to the classic ’60s series. He played Jeff “Moondoggie” Griffin, Gidget’s now-husband, opposite Caryn Richman‘s Gidget. The show leaned into nostalgia while updating the story for a new generation, and Butler’s laid-back charm was a perfect fit for the role. Though it only lasted two seasons, the series is still fondly remembered by fans of retro TV.
5 He became Buffy’s dad in the ’90s
In the late ’90s, Butler made a surprising appearance on Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Hank Summers, Buffy’s emotionally distant father. Though he only appeared in a few episodes, his character’s absence and unreliability became a significant part of Buffy’s backstory and emotional development. For fans who grew up watching him as the dependable Almanzo, seeing him play a more flawed, disengaged parent offered a glimpse at his range as an actor.
6 He’s a documentary producer and Little House historian
Everett Collection
Even decades after Little House ended, Butler hasn’t strayed far from Walnut Grove. He’s played a key role in preserving and celebrating the show’s legacy. He’s produced and narrated several documentaries, including The Little House Phenomenon, Little House on the Prairie: The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Almanzo Wilder: Life Before Laura. He also produced Pa’s Fiddle: The Music of America for PBS and regularly contributes to DVD bonus features as well as attending cast reunions and events.
If you know any other interesting facts about Butler, feel free to drop them in the comments and spark a conversation with other fans!
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1970s Fall TV
September 2023
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