SWITCH: Mobile | ePaper | Subscribe

Homes Jobs Autos Contests Boocoo Auctions

Merlin Olsen, Football legend and actor, dies at age 69

By Standard-Examiner staff, The Associated Press

Thu, 03/11/2010 - 3:34pm

Pro Football Hall of Famer and former television actor Merlin Olsen died Thursday, March 11, 2010, in Los Angeles. He was 69.

View other Standard.net slideshows here.

1 of 1

This 1970 handout provided by NFL Photos, shows Los Angeles Rams football player Merlin Olsen. (Associated Press Photo/NFL Photos)

This Jan. 31, 1982, handout provided by NFL Photos, shows Merlin Olsen at the NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Associated Press Photo/NFL Photos)

In this Dec. 16, 1981 file photo, actor Merlin Olsen is shown in character as he takes a break during filming for his television series "Father Murphey," in Simi Valley, Calif. (Associated Press Photo/Wally Fong)

This 1964 handout provided by NFL photos, shows the Los Angeles Rams defensive front four, known as the "Fearsome Foursome." from left to right are Lamar Lundy (85), Merlin Olsen (74), Rosey Grier (76), and Deacon Jones (75). (Associated Press Photo/NFL Photos)

In this 1980 handout photo, broadcaster Merlin Olsen is shown. (Associated Press Photo)

In this 1977 handout photo, Merlin Olsen is shown in character for his part of a farmer-woodsman in "Little House On The Prairie". (Associated Press Photo)

This May 2, 2007, file photo shows Pro Football Hall of Fame lineman Merlin Olsen addressing a crowd during the Gridiron Legends Luncheon Series at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind. (Associated Press Photo/South Bend Tribune, Jim Rider)

This Feb. 1, 1968, file photo shows Baltimore Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas shaking hands with President Johnson as Los Angeles Rams' Merlin Olsen, center, looks on, at the annual Presidential Prayer Breakfast in Washington. (Associated Press Photo/John Rous)

This Nov. 8, 1972 file photo shows Los Angeles Rams' defensive tackle Merlin Olsen signing autographs in Los Angeles. (Associated Press/Wally Fong)

This Dec. 4, 1976, file photo shows Merlin Olsen, right, of the Los Angeles Rams, battling Atlanta guard Gregg Kindle, in Los Angeles. (Associated Press Photo)

This June 22, 2001, file photo shows Pro Football Hall of Famer and former television actor Merlin Olsen speaking in Urbandale, Iowa. (Associated Press Photo/Steve Pope)