Surprising Secrets from the Set of Little House on the Prairie

When Karen Grassle was first offered the role of Caroline Ingalls, she was performing under the stage name “Gabriel Tree.” The name reflected her artistic background in theater, but it didn’t quite fit the wholesome, traditional image the network wanted for the series.

Michael Landon and NBC executives thought the name sounded too unconventional for a family drama set in the 1800s. They asked her to use her real name instead — and she agreed, officially becoming Karen Grassle once again just before filming began.