Obit: Merlin Olsen, 69: NFL, "Little House"

[DToTheJ]

The former tackle for the St. Louis Rams enjoyed a new career as an actor, appearing in "Little House on the Prairie" as well as "Father Murphy." You may have also seen him on commercials for FTD.

Full story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/12/sports/football/12olsen.html

 

[Skynet74]

Well that is a sad one. I remember him well.

 

[buster2]

A talented broadcaster and good actor - not easy to pull off both well, but he did.

BTW, he played for the Rams, but in his time they were the Los Angeles Rams. The fact he was in LA no doubt helped him break into broadcasting.

 

[BRNout]

Well that is a sad one. I remember him well.

You took the words out of my mouth. He seemed very genuine on screen, which undoubtedly made him so successful in those FTD ads. And, being a big guy known for toughness on the field, no one was going to laugh at him for selling flowers!! Seemed like a good guy and to hear of his passing definitely made me pause. May he rest in peace.

 

[searadiofreak]

And, something that hasn't been mentioned much, he was the color guy for Dick Enberg on NBC's #1 NFL play by play team. Wanna say late 70's into the 80's, but not sure of the exact years.

 

[DToTheJ]

...he played for the Rams, but in his time they were the Los Angeles Rams...

(smacks head) Duly noted, mea culpa... Go Minneapolis Lakers!

 

[KML0224]

They did Super Bowl XXIII together in 1989. I still have that one in my collection. R.I.P. Merlin.

 

[desertv]

Merlin was also in the John Wayne/Rock Hudson movie "The Undefeated"...you could consider that movie as the only "NFL/AFL Western"...as it also has Roman Gabriel playing Wayne's Indian sidekick.