Karen Grassle
Karen Grassle, who played Caroline Ingalls, Laura's mother on Little House on the Prairie, was primarily a stage and Broadway actress before landing the role.
After the series ended, the 84-year-old continued acting for decades, with her final screen appearance coming in the 2021 film Not to Forget.
Grassle has spoken openly about her difficult working relationship with Michael Landon, saying it stemmed from a salary dispute during the show's second season and ultimately contributed to her leaving the series a year before it ended.
While she formed a close bond with the child actors "so they felt comfortable doing scenes with me as their mother," her relationship with Landon—whom she also described as an "amazing, multi-talented person"—deteriorated, according to People.
"I felt insulted as his co-star on a hit series," Grassle told the New York Post about Landon's refusal to grant her a raise. She argued that she deserved to be paid fairly alongside her onscreen family. "I didn't want to gouge anybody, but I expected a fair wage."
Grassle also claimed that Landon reduced her screen time during the dispute and frequently made sexist jokes on set.
Despite their differences, the two reconciled before Landon's death. "I am very grateful that we mended our fences," she told the Post.
Looking back on the series, Grassle has said she remains proud of her portrayal of Caroline Ingalls, describing the character as "an incredibly strong woman with a nature full of texture. Her spirit is one to live by."
