Alison Arngrim

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Alison Arngrim

Born	Alison Margaret Arngrim January 18, 1962 (1962-01-18) (age 46) New York, New York, U.S.

Alison Margaret Arngrim (born January 18, 1962 in New York, New York, U.S.) is an American actress and stand up comedian and is the sister of Stefan Arngrim. 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 frequent panelist on the short-lived NBC game show MatchGame/Hollywood Squares Hour. She made a comedy record album in which she portrayed first daughter Amy Carter.

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. She also revealed that the attacker was apprehended, but the courts were unable to prepare charges as the statute of limitations had run out.

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 characters on Casper the Friendly Ghost, Gumby, Davey and Goliath, and many other beloved animated programs. Her brother Stefan Arngrim was also a child actor.

Alison married musician Robert Paul Schoonover 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." On May 26, 2007 she made an appearance at the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival signing autographs.

She originally auditioned for the role of Laura Ingalls, and later Mary Ingalls, on Little House on The Prairie, but received the role of Nellie Oleson. Alison Arngrim regularly keeps in contact with her friend Melissa Gilbert, who played "Laura Ingalls" on Little House on the Prairie.