Little House on the Prairie aired on TV from 1974 to 1982. People loved the homespun themes, the endearing characters, and the whole late 19th-century vibe of the show, which lasted for nine seasons. It was based upon the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Sadly, one of its stars, actress Patty Maloney, has passed away at age 89.
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Per dailymail.co.uk, "Her death was confirmed by her brother, Dave Myrabo, who told The Hollywood Reporter she passed on Monday, March 31. The the 3-foot-11 actress was in hospice care in Winter Park, Florida. She had suffered 'several' strokes in the years prior." Maloney, a New York native who grew up in Florida, died exactly two weeks after her birthday.
Other many stars from Little House have also passed on over the years. Perhaps most notably was beloved actor Michael Landon. He died in 1991 at age 54 of pancreatic cancer.
Maloney seems to have had a wonderfully indomitable spirit. Her brother said, "For a little person growing up in a big world, she did everything she wanted to do." The actress's other acting credits include the series Far Out Space Nuts, in which she played Honk, and the Star Wars Holiday special. In that, Maloney was Lumpy, son of Chewbacca.
She also appeared on many series, such as The Love Boat, Charlie's Angels, and Trapper John, M.D.
Patty Maloney Dealt With Health Issues For Some Time
Per the outlet via Men's Journal, she had macular degeneration, a condition that impairs someone's vision.
She Married Joseph Vitek In 1961
When Maloney's spouse died in 1968, those close to her advised that she go back to acting, which she did earlier in her life, to assuage her sadness. Per the outlet, "Beginning in 1982, Maloney expanded her career to include animation voice acting, work on the Monopoly game show pilot, and puppeteering the Crypt Keeper on Tales from the Crypt." She was the voice of a character in Scooby Doo.
In addition to her brother, Maloney leaves Vic, her brother-in-law, and nieces Laura and Jennifer.
Patty Maloney was clearly a talented and versatile actress. She will definitely be missed by those who knew her, and those who watched and enjoyed her performances.
