Despite my young age, I’m quite aware of Nellie Oleson, the little town snob on Little House on the Prairie. It was one of my mother’s favorite television programs and seemed to always be playing on the television when I was younger. That poor Laura Ingalls. Why won't Nellie just leav her alone?

Alison Arngrim hasn’t had the most prolific career, but she has sure made a name for herself.

She started out doing small guest roles. She did guest spots on several shows like Love Boat, Fantasty Island, and Room 222.

Arguably, her most famous role is the one I already mentioned as Nellie Oleson on Little House on the Prairie. Her character was famous for being rude and unlikable and Arngrim has commented that playing the role was like “having PMS for seven years.” She originally auditioned for the role of Laura Ingalls (played by Melissa Gilbert) and later Mary Ingalls, before being awarded the role of Nellie.

She later formed a sketch comedy group called the Nellie Olesons, named after the infamous character. They’ve toured the US and Canada and produced an award-winning short film. In 2005, they toured the country with a new act.

From 2000 on, she starred in a handful of motion pictures, such as For the Love of May and Surge of Power.

She currently does a lot of standup comedy, as well as lots of charity work. She frequently speaks out for PROTECT, the National Association to Protect Children. The group’s focus is protecting children from abuse, exploitation, and neglect. She has gone on several popular talk shows, such as Larry King Live and The O’Reilly Factor, to speak about the group and its concerns and efforts.

Here is a clip of Alison Arngrim as Nellie Oleson on Little House on the Prairie. The audio is off, so bear with me: