‘Little House on the Prairie’: Alison Arngrim & Dean Butler Talk Fame 40 Years Later

Little House on the Prairie stars Alison Arngrim and Dean Butler opened up about fame  from the show more than 40 years after the beloved historical drama series ended. And as it turns out, the actors have wildly different experiences when it comes to being recognized by fans for their iconic roles.

On the October 30 episode of the Little House 50 Podcast, hosted by Pamela Bob, Arngrim, 63, and Butler, 69, compared how fans react to them in a public setting.

Arngrim, who played Nellie Oleson — antagonist to Laura Ingalls Wilder (Melissa Gilbert) in Little House on the Prairie — explained that she recently took a pastry course at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris.

“I think one or two people did [recognize me] and were just being cool,” she shared. “There were a couple of people who were going, ‘Hi,'” she added, while making a knowing side-eye. “And just didn’t say anything.”

When Bob asked if the actors “get people looking at you” when they’re out in public,” Butler, who played Laura’s husband, Almanzo Wilder, confessed, “It’s very contextual for me.”

He explained, “It seems like everywhere Alison goes, people know her… What I’m grateful for is this: When I’m in a space where I’m supposed to be known, people look at me and know it’s me.”

To that, Bob pointed out, “That’s actually, like, convenient celebrity. That’s great because you can have a regular life, but then also not a regular life.”

Arngrim then answered the original question, sharing, “It depends. Some days, it’s very quiet, and other days, it’s like Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. I go out, and they go, ‘Hey! Oh, look, it’s Nellie Oleson! Hi! How are you?’…and it’s like all day long. I never know what it’s going to be. It’s bonkers.”

Little House on the Prairie aired for nine seasons from 1974 to 1983. The series is available to stream on Peacock, Prime Video, and Philo.