Alison Arngrim Biography: Height, Ethnicity, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Films, Books, Husaband

Alison Margaret Arngrim is an accomplished American actress and author.

She is widely recognized for her iconic portrayal of Nellie Oleson on the NBC television series Little House on the Prairie (1974–1982).

She began her television career at twelve and was honored with a Young Artist Award for “Lifetime Achievement” in child acting.

Following her success on Little House, Arngrim appeared in popular television programs such as The Love Boat and Fantasy Island, and later expanded her career to include stage performances in France.

In addition to her work in entertainment, she is a dedicated advocate for AIDS awareness and child abuse prevention, motivated by the loss of her close friend, Steve Tracy, to AIDS.

Profile

• Full Name: Alison Margaret Arngrim
• Stage Name: Alison Margaret Arngrim
• Born: January 18, 1962
• Age: 63 years old
• Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: American actress and author
• Height: 1.62 m
• Parents: Thor Arngrim, Norma MacMillan
• Siblings: Stefan Arngrim
• Spouse: Robert Paul Schoonover (m. 1993), Donald Spencer (m. 1989–1993)
• Children: Unknown
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $400,000

Early Life And Education

Alison Margaret Arngrim was born on January 18, 1962, in New York City, New York, USA. She is the daughter of Thor Arngrim, a Canadian-born Hollywood manager, and Norma MacMillan, a prominent voice actress recognized for iconic characters such as Casper the Friendly Ghost and Gumby.

She has one brother, Stefan Arngrim, born in 1955, who gained fame as a child actor in the TV series Land of the Giants. While it is known that Alison attended school, specific details about her educational background remain undisclosed. She is of Canadian-American descent, though her religious affiliation is not publicly known.

Career

Alison Margaret Arngrim began her career as a child actress and model, appearing early in commercials and the 1972 film Throw Out the Anchor. At 12, she secured her breakthrough role as Nellie Oleson on Little House on the Prairie (1974–1981), after initially auditioning for the roles of Laura and Mary Ingalls.

Her portrayal of the infamous antagonist earned her international recognition and lasting fame. Despite the challenges of filming in extreme heat, which often led to her fainting on set, Arngrim delivered a memorable performance that was later honored with the Young Artist Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002.

Following her success on Little House, Arngrim continued working on television, appearing on shows like The Love Boat and Fantasy Island.

She expanded her artistic repertoire by entering the world of theater and stand-up comedy. In 2002, she debuted her one-woman show, Confessions of a Prairie Bitch, which showcased her sharp humor and personal storytelling.

The show received acclaim in the United States and internationally, including a French-language version performed in France, further highlighting her versatility as a performer. Arngrim’s personal experiences have significantly shaped her activism.

After publicly disclosing her history of childhood sexual abuse, she became a passionate advocate for child protection and abuse prevention. She serves as the California Chair and National Spokesperson for PROTECT.org, actively lobbying for stronger legislation and speaking before governmental bodies.

Her advocacy also extends to AIDS awareness, inspired by the death of her friend and co-star Steve Tracy. Through her work with AIDS Project Los Angeles and other organizations, Arngrim has played a key role in educating the public and supporting those affected by the disease.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @alisonarngrim
• Facebook handle: Alison Margaret Arngrim
• Twitter handle: @arngrim

Personal Life

Alison Margaret Arngrim has been married twice. Her first marriage to Donald Mark Spencer in 1989 ended in divorce in 1993 due to ongoing conflicts and trust issues.

Later that year, on November 6, she married musician Robert Paul Schoonover, with whom she has shared a strong and lasting partnership for over 30 years.

Although she has no children, Arngrim embraces her role as a stepmother. During the challenges of her first divorce, she found emotional support from her close friend and former Little House on the Prairie co-star, Melissa Gilbert.

Filmography

Film

• 1974: Throw Out the Anchor!
• 1983: I Married Wyatt Earp (TV film)
• 1986: Video Valentino (short)
• 2000: For the Love of May
• 2002: The Last Place on Earth
• 2007: Le deal
• 2009: Make the Yuletide Gay
• 2009: The Bilderberg Club: Meet the Shadow One World Government (short)
• 2012: Livin’ the Dream
• 2017: The Mephisto Box
• 2021: Even in Dreams

Television

• 1974–1982: Little House on the Prairie (TV Series)
• 1977: The Love Boat (TV Series)
• 1977: Fantasy Island (TV Series)
• 1979: Little House Years (TV Special)
• 2014: Little House on the Prairie: A Merry Ingalls Christmas
• 2015: The Comeback Kids (TV Series)
• Life Interrupted (TV film)
• CPR Talent Agency (Pilot)

Net Worth

Alison Margaret Arngrim has an estimated net worth of approximately $400,000, earned through her acting career—most notably as Nellie Oleson on Little House on the Prairie—as well as her work as a stand-up comedian, author, public speaker, and from royalties on her autobiography and stage performances.