Although Michael Landon appeared as a happy family man on Little House on the Prairie, his real character was “more mad, evil, and dangerously to know,” according to one former star.
Alison Arngrim was Nellie Oleson’s character in the 1970s TV series. However, she said Landon was not only a marvellous man, but also an alcoholic, smoker, and told terrible jokes. He was also known for promoting a ‘Mad Men” sexist, and booze-drinking culture.
The 59-year-old actress spoke to DailyMail.com after former co-star Karen Grassle, Landon’s on-screen wife, accused the late TV star of refusing to pay her a ‘fair wage’, mocking her body, and making ‘disgusting’ jokes about sex, in her upcoming autobiography.

According to ex-stars, Michael Landon, Little House on the Prairie’s lead man, died in 1991. His loving and wholesome father character on the show couldn’t be more unlike his.


Alison Arngrim played Nellie Oleson (right) on the popular 1970s series. She described Landon, who was described as a manic, and said he ‘drank smoked’ made ‘terrible jokes’ while filming the show.
Grassle, 79-year-old, played Little House Matriarch Caroline Ma’ Ingalls. Her addiction is also reflected in the book.
Arngrim agreed with Arngrim that Landon was far from the family loving farmer depicted in the hit series.
Speaking to DailyMail.com at the Hollywood Museum tribute event celebrating Bob Hope and US Veterans Thursday, Arngrim said: ‘I got along with him very well, but I have always said he was an extraordinarily eccentric, marvelous and crazy person.
People think that he is a healthy farmer. But he was much more insane, dangerous and perilous to be around. He did not smoke, but drank.
“He drove a Ferrari, so he wasn’t Charles Ingalls. He had been married three times. He was also very funny and incredibly talented.
She was reminded of Landon’s impression that he rarely went to sleep and was constantly fueled by an ‘expressive creative energy’
“He was extremely, very driven. That kind of manic and driven creative energy that is available 24/7 can, I believe, drive many people crazy,” she stated.

Michael Landon is pictured in 1978 with Marjorie Lynn Noe Landon (left), and Barbara Walters. It’s believed that Landon fostered a sexist culture at the set that resembled an “old boys club”.

Little House on the Prairie’s Ma & Pa looked like marital bliss on screen. But, off-camera it was not. Stars Karen Grassle and Michael Landon were inseparable.
Actress, playing the role of the bad girl on the show, described the set atmosphere as similar to Mad Men’s 1950s Madison Avenue drama Mad Men.
The stardom was fraught with drama, she said. But they moved on to the demilitarized area of make-up before the cameras roll.
Arngrim described Grassle’s memoir as ‘fair.’ She also said that Grassle has admitted her own alcoholism, emotional issues and prevented Landon and her from resolving the problems they had before Landon’s death in 1991.
DailyMail.com actress said that Landon and Grassle were not fiery enough to cause ‘Ma ‘to quit’ or fire her.
She claimed that Grassle was only given her job because Landon stood by her at casting sessions.
Arngrim stated that Landon never had a conflict with her, and she instead enjoyed Landon’s ‘wild’ behaviour when Arngrim was a teenager.
“I was just a teenage boy and I thought it was great.
“He wasn’t everyone’s cup, but that’s absolutely right.”
Bright Lights, Prairie Dust, Reflections on Love, Loss, Life, and Love From Little House’s Ma is Grassle’s latest memoir. It includes sexist remarks, mocking of her appearance, pushing for pay increases, and holding off on making sexist comments.

Arngrim spoke to DailyMail.com Thursday at the Hollywood Museum tribute ceremony celebrating Bob Hope, US Veterans. She said that she was very good friends with Landon, but acknowledged that he was an ‘extraordinaryly eccentric, wonderful, and crazy person.

Karen Grassel, Landon’s wife onscreen, could be also cruel and mock her body.
Grassle, in the upcoming book recalls Landon’s ‘disgusting jokes’ on set. He would mock her appearance and then ‘insult’ her with his insistance that she should not be paid less than the children actors. The show began airing on April 24, 1974.
Though the series dealt with some very serious subjects including alcoholism, poverty, racism, addiction, cancer, and even rape, it’s considered wholesome family viewing — which makes some of Grassle’s revelations about what went on behind the scenes quite shocking.
Grassle claimed Landon made crude remarks, using foul language like ‘c**t’ on set and making ‘disgusting jokes about how a woman smelled after sex.’
Arngrim stated that she was certain her friend’s book wouldn’t sugarcoat anything and said it represented the true story of women in Hollywood during 1970s Hollywood.
“The truth is that it was in the 1970s. “It was Mad Men,” she stated. It was an older era, a boy’s club.
‘Michael did swear.’
“She was very religious as a child, but the conversations at the table were like Deadwood outtakes.”
“She is extremely fair. She talks in the book about her alcoholism and all she has been through.
“She claims that if she had gotten sober sooner and worked through her problems, she would probably have met with him to work things out.”
“But their issues collided, and it was both kinds of sandpaper. Her honesty is evident about this.

In her memoir, Grassle claims that the couple fell out and that he cut scenes from her and left her out entirely of stories.

Not a fan: Grassle, now 79, has revealed that she and Landon, who died in 1991, were hardly enamored of one another — and in fact, he could be quite cruel
Confessions from a Prairie Bitch: How to Survive Nellie Oleson, and Learned how to Love Being Hate was her best selling book. Arngrim said that tensions would be ignored as soon as the cameras stopped rolling.
“That’s the insane thing. In that we were all like one big family, even though we did not get along well, we still got to know each other.
“People from different sets would come to visit and say that their idea of fighting is that you won’t have lunch with them. Did you realize that people on other sets have restraining order? These people seem so sweet and generous on this set.
“Even if you were having a private issue with someone, the makeup area was used as the demilitarization zones. It would be like you saying, “I guess it is time to move on and make a television show.” It was so easy.
She would not have stayed if she was on another show. Her exit would have meant she was fired, ou quit.
“But she was still there all nine years.”
She said that the cast feud could have been held in the midst of today’s Time’s Up and Me Too movements. If she had stayed, it might have been worth a lot more.
“Things are now different. It is now much politer and more professional to behave on a setting.
You don’t do the things people say to one another in the 1970s.


“I was insulted for being his co-star in hit series,” she stated. She said, “I wasn’t trying to exploit anybody, but it was fair that I received a decent wage.”

The couple appears to be in a difficult place after Grassle. The second season was requested for a pay raise. Landon did not say yes, apparently saying that she should make as much as the child actor.
People smoked openly and consumed alcohol on set. It was Little House On the Prairie. Imagine what the experience was on other shows.

In her book, Bright Lights, Prairie Dust, Reflections On Life, Loss, And Love From Little House’s Ma, she reveals the behind-the scene tidbits
It was difficult for women. It was different times and very masculine.
“She discusses in the theater about how the older boys’ networks and women’s atmosphere up until the late 90s were different.
Arngrim claims Emmy-nominated Landon, as well as the Golden Globe-nominated Landon were pivotal in Grassle’s success.
“She would have never been on this show without him. The network and the suits would make it completely different. He did everything he could to keep her on the show.
“She claims that her emotional issues and alcoholism were major contributors to their relationship.
Arngrim, one of the many celebrities who paid tribute to Bob Hope at The Hollywood Museum’s Hope tribute event and signing of Dear Bob… Bob Hope’s Wartime Correspondence With The G.I.”States of World War II.
Donelle Dadigan (museum president) and Linda Hope (the Oscar winning entertainer), hosted the event in tribute to “The Greatest Generation”.
Hope has many items to display from his distinguished career, such as his 1959 Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Oscar and samples of letters that he received from WWII servicemen. These men and women freely shared their deepest thoughts with Hope, laughed together, and commiserated. Hope is Hope’s best friend. They talk about sacrifice, war and lonely days.
Hope’s daughter Linda said that ‘the people back home loved hearing from the base where one of their loved ones was stationed’.
‘Handwritten letters were cherished. On average, Dad would receive 38,000 letters per week. Dad would dictate his replies to have them typed up and sent off by his secretary. It was amazing.