Episode 74 – A Candid Chat With ‘Prairie Man’ Dean Butler About ‘Little House’ & His New Memoir - Part 2
07/01/24 • 44 min
During the second half of Tony’s fascinating conversation with actor Dean Butler they discuss how welcomed he felt his first day on the set of “Little House on the Prairie”, how obviously awkward the 8-year age difference between him and Melissa Gilbert was especially for her since Michael Landon never asked her to give any input on the casting of the actor that would eventually be her husband on the show, the dramatic real story behind Laura and Almanzo’s famous first on-screen kiss, what it was like becoming an instant star, what happened the first time he was recognized in public, his memories of playing Hank Summers on the hit show “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”, his work as a produced on a number of 'Little House' related documentaries as well as how much he enjoyed co-executive producing “Pa's Fiddle: The Music of America” in Nashville for PBS, his thoughts about being remembered for his work on 'Little House' for the rest of his life, and how he hopes fans of the show enjoy reading his newly published memoir PRAIRIE MAN: My Little House Life & Beyond.
DEAN BUTLER
Dean Butler is an actor, producer, and director best known for his portrayal of Almanzo Wilder on the NBC family drama Little House on the Prairie, which was based on the classic Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. He appeared in the final four seasons of the show, the spin-off show Little House: A New Beginning, and the three post-series TV movies. After Little House ended, he played Jeff "Moondoggie" Griffin in the TV series The New Gidget and Buffy’s dad, Hank Summers, on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Butler was a guest star on various television series, including Murder, She Wrote; Who's the Boss?; The Love Boat; and JAG.He co-starred with the late Gary Coleman in The Kid with the 200 I.Q.. He appeared in the movies Desert Hearts and The Final Goal.
He was a producer for NBC Golf’s Emmy-nominated series Feherty for over ten seasons. He has directed, produced, written, and narrated bonus features for Little House on the Prairie DVD collections. He narrated a six-part documentary, The Little House Phenomenon. And he produced two documentaries, Little House on the Prairie: The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Almanzo Wilder: Life Before Laura, which drew their inspiration from the Little House books of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Additionally, in 2012, Butler co-executive produced Pa's Fiddle: The Music of America for PBS. Dean lives in California with his family.
Dean’s new memoir PRAIRIE MAN: My Little House Life & Beyond was recently published (Pub date: June 25, 2024; HC, $28.00). In it, Dean shares the behind- the-scenes of Little House on the Prairie on a heartfelt journey of “good luck, good television, and the very good if gloriously imperfect—people who made it so.” With a foreword from Melissa Gilbert (Laura) and Alison Arngrim (Nellie), this uplifting memoir follows Butler’s journey from childhood to the Prairie and beyond.
Dean Butler Official Website
Little House on the Prairie Website
https://littlehouseontheprairie.com/
Prairie Man: My Little House Life & Beyond Book
https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/9780806543314/prairie-man/
The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/
Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST
Follow our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/
Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson - http://camfrierson.com/voice
Music by
During the second half of Tony’s fascinating conversation with actor Dean Butler they discuss how welcomed he felt his first day on the set of “Little House on the Prairie”, how obviously awkward the 8-year age difference between him and Melissa Gilbert was especially for her since Michael Landon never asked her to give any input on the casting of the actor that would eventually be her husband on the show, the dramatic real story behind Laura and Almanzo’s famous first on-screen kiss, what it was like becoming an instant star, what happened the first time he was recognized in public, his memories of playing Hank Summers on the hit show “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”, his work as a produced on a number of 'Little House' related documentaries as well as how much he enjoyed co-executive producing “Pa's Fiddle: The Music of America” in Nashville for PBS, his thoughts about being remembered for his work on 'Little House' for the rest of his life, and how he hopes fans of the show enjoy reading his newly published memoir PRAIRIE MAN: My Little House Life & Beyond.
DEAN BUTLER
Dean Butler is an actor, producer, and director best known for his portrayal of Almanzo Wilder on the NBC family drama Little House on the Prairie, which was based on the classic Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. He appeared in the final four seasons of the show, the spin-off show Little House: A New Beginning, and the three post-series TV movies. After Little House ended, he played Jeff "Moondoggie" Griffin in the TV series The New Gidget and Buffy’s dad, Hank Summers, on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Butler was a guest star on various television series, including Murder, She Wrote; Who's the Boss?; The Love Boat; and JAG.He co-starred with the late Gary Coleman in The Kid with the 200 I.Q.. He appeared in the movies Desert Hearts and The Final Goal.
He was a producer for NBC Golf’s Emmy-nominated series Feherty for over ten seasons. He has directed, produced, written, and narrated bonus features for Little House on the Prairie DVD collections. He narrated a six-part documentary, The Little House Phenomenon. And he produced two documentaries, Little House on the Prairie: The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Almanzo Wilder: Life Before Laura, which drew their inspiration from the Little House books of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Additionally, in 2012, Butler co-executive produced Pa's Fiddle: The Music of America for PBS. Dean lives in California with his family.
Dean’s new memoir PRAIRIE MAN: My Little House Life & Beyond was recently published (Pub date: June 25, 2024; HC, $28.00). In it, Dean shares the behind- the-scenes of Little House on the Prairie on a heartfelt journey of “good luck, good television, and the very good if gloriously imperfect—people who made it so.” With a foreword from Melissa Gilbert (Laura) and Alison Arngrim (Nellie), this uplifting memoir follows Butler’s journey from childhood to the Prairie and beyond.
Dean Butler Official Website
Little House on the Prairie Website
https://littlehouseontheprairie.com/
Prairie Man: My Little House Life & Beyond Book
https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/9780806543314/prairie-man/
The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/
Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST
Follow our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/
Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson - http://camfrierson.com/voice
Music by
Previous Episode
Episode 73 – A Candid Chat With ‘Prairie Man’ Dean Butler About ‘Little House’ & His New Memoir - Part 1
On this episode of Hollywood Obsessed, host Tony Miros speaks with actor Dean Butler who is best known for playing Almanzo Wilder on the classic TV series “Little House On The Prairie”!
During the first part of their candid two-part conversation Dean tells podcast host Tony Miros how he and the cast of ‘Little House’ feel about hitting the 50th anniversary of the series this year, how the show is still watched and new audiences are still discovering it, how wise Michael Landon was using the ‘Little House’ books as the source material for this beloved series but expanding those stories to entertain audiences week after week, the reason why he decided to write his memoir “PRAIRIE MAN: My Little House Life & Beyond” now, his anxiety about how some people might feel with some of the things he decided to include in his book, how his love for performing in front of an audience came to his life, how he felt when he got his first major role in the made for TV movie “Forever” with Stephanie Zimbalist, how fearless he was when he came to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting, how people in the industry thought his real life naivete and innocence was all an act when he walked into a room, how he got the audition for Almanzo Wilder on “Little House”, and his thoughts on working a room when you have an audition in Hollywood.
DEAN BUTLER
Dean Butler is an actor, producer, and director best known for his portrayal of Almanzo Wilder on the NBC family drama Little House on the Prairie, which was based on the classic Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. He appeared in the final four seasons of the show, the spin-off show Little House: A New Beginning, and the three post-series TV movies. After Little House ended, he played Jeff "Moondoggie" Griffin in the TV series The New Gidget and Buffy’s dad, Hank Summers, on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Butler was a guest star on various television series, including Murder, She Wrote; Who's the Boss?; The Love Boat; and JAG.He co-starred with the late Gary Coleman in The Kid with the 200 I.Q.. He appeared in the movies Desert Hearts and The Final Goal.
He was a producer for NBC Golf’s Emmy-nominated series Feherty for over ten seasons. He has directed, produced, written, and narrated bonus features for Little House on the Prairie DVD collections. He narrated a six-part documentary, The Little House Phenomenon. And he produced two documentaries, Little House on the Prairie: The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Almanzo Wilder: Life Before Laura, which drew their inspiration from the Little House books of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Additionally, in 2012, Butler co-executive produced Pa's Fiddle: The Music of America for PBS. Dean lives in California with his family.
Dean’s new memoir PRAIRIE MAN: My Little House Life & Beyond was recently published (Pub date: June 25, 2024; HC, $28.00). In it, Dean shares the behind- the-scenes of Little House on the Prairie on a heartfelt journey of “good luck, good television, and the very good if gloriously imperfect—people who made it so.” With a foreword from Melissa Gilbert (Laura) and Alison Arngrim (Nellie), this uplifting memoir follows Butler’s journey from childhood to the Prairie and beyond.
Dean Butler Official Website
Little House on the Prairie Website
https://littlehouseontheprairie.com/
Prairie Man: My Little House Life & Beyond Book
https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/9780806543314/prairie-man/
The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/
Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST
Follow our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/
Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson -
Next Episode
Episode 75 – Return To The Batcave With “Batman” Star Burt Ward - Part 1
On this episode of Hollywood Obsessed, host Tony Miros speaks with actor BURT WARD who is best known for playing Dick Grayson aka Robin The Boy Wonder on the classic 1960s TV series “Batman”!
During the first part of their entertaining two-part conversation, Burt tells podcast host Tony Miros all about his memories of being the youngest professional ice skater in the world at the age of two, how he was an all-around athlete in school, and how he became the world’s fastest reader, his interest in acting at a very young age, his incredible experiences filming the classic TV series “Batman”, his memories of auditioning for the role of Robin, doing a screen test with his costar Adam West at 20th Century Fox Studios, what it was like wearing the Robin costume for the first time, how popular the series was when it premiered on ABC in 1966, how the show had a very board appeal, his memories of making personal appearances around the country during the show's heyday, and how he had to give people a warning before they read his revealing 1995 tell-all book “Boy Wonder: My Life In Tights”
BURT WARD
The Making of a Superhero – A Life of Intense Dedication
From an illustrious beginning as the world’s youngest professional ice skater at two years of age in his father’s traveling ice show
. . . . to becoming the world’s fastest reader while in high school reading 30,000 words per minute with 90% comprehension as tested by The American Medical Society of Beverly Hills
. . . . to an aspiring young actor at UCLA whose first acting interview landed him the role of Robin the Boy Wonder in the famed 1966 Batman television series that became the #1 rated TV Show in the world
. . . . to creating and operating with his wife, Tracy, Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions, the world’s largest giant breed dog rescue during the last 30 years, saving more than 15,500 dogs and hundreds of cats, finding each and every one a safe, forever home
. . . . to also creating with Tracy Gentle Giants Natural Non GMO Pet Food and Gentle Giants Special Feeding and Care program for dogs and cats that has them living as long as 30 plus healthy, active years with a wonderful quality of life
. . . . to recently receiving two awards from the President of the United States - The President’s Volunteer Service Award for rescuing many thousands of dogs and cats during the last 30 years and The President's Lifetime Achievement Award for creating Gentle Giants unique Pet Foods and Gentle Giants Special Feeding and Care Program to help precious pets live longer and healthier
In addition, at the same time, The United Nations Association of America awarded both Burt and Tracy individually their Humanitarian Award
Burt Ward has dedicated his life to accomplishment and charity.
Official Burt Ward Website https://www.burtwardrobintheboywonder.com
Gentle Giants Pet Food https://www.gentlegiantsdogfood.com
The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/
Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST
Follow our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/
Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson http://camfrierson.com/voice
Music by QubeSounds from Pixabay
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