Little House on the Prairie was more than just a TV show—it was a story that touched generations and created memories that still live on today.
Now, we are met with the heartbreaking news that one of the show’s cherished actors has left us forever.
Patty Maloney, beloved for her role as Alice Bates, has passed away at the age of 89.
Her father’s passing when she was seven
An icon has fallen silent, but her legacy will live on in our hearts. Patty Maloney, the beloved actress best known for her role in Little House on the Prairie, has passed away at the age of 89.
Her brother, Dave Myrabo, shared the sad news with The Hollywood Reporter, confirming that Maloney passed away on Monday, March 31. She had been in hospice care in Winter Park, Florida, after battling multiple strokes in recent years.
Patricia Anne Maloney, born on March 17, 1936, in Perkinsville, New York, became known for her wide range of roles in television and film.
Standing at just 3 feet 11 inches (119 cm), Maloney’s journey in entertainment began at the young age of three, when she appeared on Broadway. After her father’s passing when she was seven, she moved with her family to Winter Park, Florida, where she was raised by her mother and stepfather.
In her youth, Maloney showcased her talents in various traveling shows, performing with carnivals during the summers and spending a year with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. She attended the University of Florida, where she trained as a keypunch operator, and later worked for National Airlines in New York.
Inside her Lumpy costume
It was there she met Joseph Vitek, a printer from Chicago, whom she married in 1961. The couple settled in Chicago until Vitek tragically passed away from melanoma in 1968.
After her husband’s death, Maloney returned to the entertainment industry, working with the Krofft brothers on their puppet show Fol-de-Rol.
She gained recognition for her portrayal of Honk on Far Out Space Nuts and won hearts as Lumpy, Chewbacca’s son, in the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special.
In a 2008 interview with Scott Kirkwood, marking the 39th anniversary of the special, Maloney fondly reflected on her role:
“It was a lot of hard work, but it was also a lot of fun. It was great to be involved with all of the other characters, too.”
She also shared some interesting details about her Lumpy costume, revealing that it was made from real human hair:
“It wasn’t that uncomfortable, it was just extremely warm, very, very warm. There was hardly any place to really breathe because the mouth needed to be closed a lot of the time… I remember a couple of times when I had to run up the steps of the tree, up from the downstairs while being chased, and run up the tree into my room… they had someone standing there that would open the mouth for me and put a straw through so that I could breathe and get some oxygen, some good clean oxygen!”
Alice Bates in Little House
Her television career spanned numerous shows, with appearances on Donny & Marie, Charlie’s Angels, The Love Boat, and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, where she played the robot waitress Tina. But many will most fondly remember Maloney for her role as Alice Bates in the ninth and final season of the historical drama in 1982. Her film credits included The Lord of the Rings (1978), Under the Rainbow (1981), The Ice Pirates (1984), and Ernest Saves Christmas (1988). Maloney also voiced Darla Hood in the animated version of The Little Rascals.
“For a little person growing up in a big world, she did everything she wanted to do,” her brother, Dave Myrabo, shared.
In 2010, Patty Maloney’s health began to decline when she was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
This condition, as explained by the National Eye Institute, happens when the macula—the part of the eye responsible for sharp, central vision — suffers damage due to aging. As a result, individuals with AMD experience blurry central vision, making everyday tasks that require clear sight much more difficult.
Maloney is survived by her brother, brother-in-law Vic, and nieces Jennifer and Laura.
Patty Maloney’s voice and unforgettable performances will forever live on in the hearts of those who admired her work.
Her talent, kindness, and dedication to her craft touched many lives, leaving a lasting legacy. Rest in peace, Patty — you will always be remembered.
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