Alison Arngrim

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Alison Arngrim
Born	January 18, 1962 (age 45) New York, New York, USA

Alison Margaret Arngrim (born January 18, 1962 in New York, New York, USA) is an American actress and stand up comedian. She is best known as a former child star playing the role "Nellie Oleson," from the NBC television series Little House on the Prairie. She appeared in guest roles on television series like Love Boat and Fantasy Island. She was also a frequently panelist on the short-lived NBC game show Match Game/Hollywood Squares Hour.

She currently does charity work in addition to performance. She focuses on AIDS issues and on child abuse, speaking frequently for and lobbying with the group PROTECT. In 2004, she came out as an incest survivor on Larry King Live. Although she refused to name her attacker, she clarified that it was neither of her parents.

Alison's father, Thor Arngrim, was a well-known Hollywood manager. Her mother, Norma MacMillan, was a well-known voice actress, who provided the voices for Casper the Friendly Ghost, Gumby, Davey and Goliath, and many other beloved animated characters. Her brother Stefan Arngrim was also a child actor.

Alison married Robert Paul Schoonover, a musician on November 6, 1993. They live in Los Angeles.

Alison tied with Danielle Spencer ('Dee' on What's Happening!!) for "Character Most in Need of a Time-out" award on the 2006 TV Land Awards for her role on Little House on The Prairie.

In one of her stand-up routines, she described playing Nellie on Little House on The Prairie as "Like having PMS for seven years."

[edit] Trivia

Originally auditioned for the role of Laura Ingalls, and later Mary Ingalls, on Little House on The Prairie, but eventually won the role of Nellie Oleson.
Alison Arngrim regularly keeps in contact with her friend Melissa Gilbert, who played her nemesis "Laura Ingalls" on Little House on the Prairie.
Brother Stefan Arngrim is also an actor.