Karen Grassle who played Caroline Ingalls in the TV show Little House on the Prairie

Karen Grassle was born February 25, 1942 in Berkeley, California.  She is most famous for playing Caroline Ingalls on the TV show Little House on the Prairie.

Karen Grassle as Caroline Ingalls on the TV show Little House on the Prairie

Karen made her television debut in 1951 appearing in the series Love of Life starring Peggy McCay, Jean McBride and Ken Roberts.  It would be 23 years before she would make another television appearance.  This time it would be a starring role as Caroline Ingalls in the TV show Little House on the Prairie. She would co-star with Michael Landon (Charles Ingalls), Melissa Sue Gilbert (Laura Ingalls), Melissa Sue Anderson (Mary Ingalls), Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush (Carrie Ingalls), Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson), Jonathan Gilbert (Willie Olsen), Victor French (Isaiah Edwards), and Merlin Olsen (Jonathan Garvey).  Grassle would play the role of Caroline until 1982 when she decided to leave the show.

Karen Grassle

The cast of Little House on the Prairie in the early years. Front: Melissa Sue Anderson (Mary Ingalls), Lindsay/Sidney Greenbush (Carrie Ingalls) Back: Michael Landon (Charles Ingalls), Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls), Melissa Sue Gilbert (Laura Ingalls also called "half-pint" by Charles Ingalls)

Karen Grassle as Caroline Ingalls on the TV show Little House on the Prairie

Michael Landon (Charles Ingalls) and Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls) on the TV show Little House on the Prairie

During her run on Little House on the Prairie, Grassle made an appearance on the TV series Gunsmoke starring James Arness, Milburn Stone, Ken Curtis, and Amanda Blake (1974); Hallmark Hall of Fame: Emily, Emily co-starring Pamela Bellwood, James Farentino and John Forsythe (1977); The President's Mistress co-starring Beau Bridges, Susan Blanchard, Larry Hagman, Gail Strickland, and Joel Fabiani (1978); Battered co-starring LeVar Burton, Mike Farrell, Chip Fields, Joan Blondell, Howard Duff, Diana Scarwid, Keith Coogan, and Ali Giron (1978); Crisis in Mid-air co-starring George Peppard, Desi Arnaz Jr., Greg Morris, Dana Elcar, Michael Constantine, Fabian, Denise DuBarry, Don Murray, and Martin Milner (1979); Little House Years co-starring the regular show cast (1979); Harry's War co-starring Edward Herrmann, Geraldine Page, David Ogden Stiers, and Elisha Cook Jr. (1981); and The Love Boat starring  Gavin MacLeod, Lauren Tewes, Bernie Kopell, Fred Grandy, Jill Whelan, and Ted Lange (1981);

Karen Grassle as Caroline Ingalls on the TV show Little House on the Prairie

Michael Landon (Charles Ingalls) and Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls) on the TV show Little House on the Prairie

After Little House on the Prairie, Grassle starred in Cocaine: One Man's Seduction co-starring Dennis Weaver, Pamela Bellwood, Jeffrey Tambor, James Spader, Denise Crosby, and David Ackroyd (1983); Hotel starring James Brolin, Connie Sellecca and Shari Belafonte (1983); Little House: The Last Farewell co-starring  Melissa Gilbert, Michael Landon, Dean Butler, Victor French, Richard Bull, Jonathan Gilbert, Allison Balson, Kevin Hagen, Shannen Doherty, and Leslie Landon (1984); Between the Darkness and the Dawn co-starring and Elizabeth Montgomery, James Naughton, and Michael Goodwin (1985); Murder, She Wrote starring Angela Lansbury (2 episodes, 1987-88).

Karen Grassle today

Karen's last known film role was in Wyatt Earp co-starring Kevin Costner, Dennis Quaid, Gene Hackman, David Andrews, Jeff Fahey, Joanna Going, Mark Harmon, Catherine O'Hara, Tom Sizemore, Michael Madsen, Bill Pullman, Isabella Rossellini, JoBeth Williams, and Mare Winningham (1994).

Karen Grassle now

In 2006 Karen Grassle was on stage performing the role of Miss Daisy in Driving Miss Daisy in Winnipeg, Canada. That same year she also performed in the play The Power of Ambition. In 2008, Grassle made appearances as the spokesperson for Premier Bathrooms.

Karen Grassle and Victor Talmadge in The Power of Ambition 2006

Karen Grassle, Keith Burkland, and Kristin Stokes in The Power of Ambition 2006

Recently, Karen Grassle has appeared in commercials for Premier Bathrooms

Karen Grassle in 2009

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