Personal Info
Merlin Jay Olsen
Merlin Olsen
Acting
Biography
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…
Known For
Filmography
Movies
TV Shows
Joe Montana: Cool Under Pressure
as Self (archive footage) · 1 ep.
Aaron's Way
as Aaron Miller · 14 ep.
Fathers and Sons
4 ep.
Father Murphy
as John Michael Murphy · 35 ep.
Little House on the Prairie
as Jonathan Garvey · 50 ep.
The Brian Keith Show
1 ep.
Kung Fu
as Perlee Skowrin · 1 ep.
Monday Night Football
as Defensive tackle · 8 ep.
Shindig!
1 ep.
Petticoat Junction
1 ep.