Photo: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty
Born Dorlee Deane MacGregor in 1925, she attended Northwestern University, where she majored in drama. She moved to New York in 1949 and built a career performing in the theater. She later moved to California, where she took guest roles in popular 60s and 70s shows likeIronsideandAll in the Family.
NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty
In 1974, she landed her signature role onLittle House on the Prairieafter meeting with producer Michael Landon. To prepare for her role, she read through Laura Ingalls’ popular book series, only to find that Mrs. Oleson was barely mentioned.
She began to create the role for herself, trying to inject humor into the role, rather than making her “black-and-white mean.”
“Anyone that mean has to be a fool,” sheonce told NBC. “So I began mixing farce into it.”
While Harriet Oleson was originally intended to be an occasional guest character, MacGregor’s performance was so well-received that she became a series regular.
In her last years, MacGregor moved to the Motion Picture Fund Long Term Nursing Care facility in Woodland Hills, California, when she died. She was a devout Hindu.
“She had an EXTREMELY long, full life and is at peace,” Arngrim later wrote. “But yes, we will all miss her.”
Melissa Gilbert, who starred as Laura Ingalls on the show, paid tribute onInstagram.“I just got word that Katherine MacGregor passed away yesterday,” she wrote. “This woman taught me so much… about acting… vintage jewelry…life. She was outspoken and hilariously funny. A truly gifted actress as she was able to play a despicable character but with so much heart. Her Harriet Oleson was the woman our fans loved to hate. A perfect antagonist.”https://www.instagram.com/p/BqKgVykgg7g/“The thing people outside of our prairie family didn’t know, was how loving and nurturing she was with the younger cast,” she continued. “I really loved her and I find great comfort knowing that she is at peace and, per her beliefs, her soul has moved on to its next incarnation. Farewell Scottie. I hope with all my heart we meet again next time.”
source: people.com
