Merlin Olsen
Acting
1940-09-15 · Logan, Utah, USA
Merlin Jay Olsen (September 15, 1940 – March 11, 2010) was an American professional football player, announcer, and actor. For his entire 15-year professional football career (1962 - 1976), he was a defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams. He was selected to play in the Pro Bowl a then-record 14 times (surpassed only by Tom Brady). He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. As an actor, Olsen is best known for portraying farmer Jonathan Garvey on the fourth through seventh seasons of Little House on the Prairie (1977 - 1981). He went on to star as the title character in the Western series Father Murphy (1981 - 1983).
tvJoe Montana: Cool Under Pressure
as Self (archive footage) · 2022 · 8.3
tvAaron's Way
as Aaron Miller · 1988 · 7.0
tvFathers and Sons
as · 1986 · 7.5
movieTime Bomb
as Jake Calahan · 1984 · 6.3
tvFather Murphy
as John Michael Murphy · 1981 · 8.1
movieThe Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story
as Todd Simms · 1980 · 0.0
movieA Fire in the Sky
as Stan Webster · 1978 · 5.7
movieMitchell
as Benton · 1975 · 3.3
tvLittle House on the Prairie
as Jonathan Garvey · 1974 · 7.9
tvKung Fu
as Perlee Skowrin · 1972 · 7.7
tvThe Brian Keith Show
as · 1972 · 6.3
movieSomething Big
as Sgt. Fitzsimmons · 1971 · 5.3
movieOne More Train to Rob
as Eli Jones · 1971 · 5.4
tvMonday Night Football
as Defensive Tackle · 1970 · 0.0
tvMonday Night Football
as Left Defensive Tackle · 1970 · 0.0
tvMonday Night Football
as Defensive tackle · 1970 · 0.0
movieThe Undefeated
as Little George · 1969 · 6.3
tvShindig!
as · 1964 · 6.4
tvPetticoat Junction
as · 1963 · 5.8