Perhaps the closest competition to Jason Bateman, Shannon Doherty has had a long-running, topsy-turvy career since her Little House days ended. She shot to fame on Beverly Hills 90210, only to be fired from the show due to her behind the scenes attitude. She starred in several cult-films including Mallrats, but her career didn’t spring back until her casting in the late-1990s series Charmed. Her days on that series would end similarly to 90210 however. Since then, Doherty has taken numerous acting roles, and is currently battling a devastating case of breast cancer.
Dabbs Greer became best known for playing a reverend in a long career that spanned seven decades and 200 TV series, which makes it incredibly ironic that his first roll was portraying outlaw Jesse James. His final major part saw him play the older version of Tom Hanks’ character in The Green Mile. Greer passed away from cancer in 2007.
While most on this list are best known for Little House or what they did after, Merlin Olsen is best known for what he did prior to his acting career. A 15 year Hall of Fame professional football career with the Rams will do that. After his retirements from both football and acting, Olsen went on to be an advocate for retired players rights in their fight with the NFL over concussions and other health ailments. He passed away from cancer in 2010.
Todd Bridges could be the poster child for the cliche child star. Successful roles in__ Little House and Roots led to a star-making turn on 1980s classic Diff’rent Strokes. __However, Bridges career was derailed by demons for many years. He hit rock bottom when he was accused of the attempted murder of a drug dealer in 1998. After being acquitted, Bridges turned his life around. He’s been clean and working regularly since.
Kyle Richards has certainly had an interesting journey from her days as Alicia Sanderson Edward on Little House. She went on to horror movies like Halloween, and in recent years became best known for starring on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. While longtime fans may be turned off by her turn to reality TV, Richards has used the notoriety to become a major spokesperson (as well as donor) to cancer charities.
