The show began with a pilot movie, directed by Michael Landon, airing on March 30, 1974. The series began on NBC on September 11, 1974. The last airing of the show with it's original name was on May 10, 1982. Michael Landon and Karen Grassle left the show and the focus switched to their daughter Laura's family and the show was broadcasted under the name, Little House: A New Beginning. Following the finale of the series after it was canceled by NBC, 3 mini movies were made and aired. The final special (though not aired last of the 3 movies) was meant to be the series finale and is titled, Little House: The Last Farewell.

Many famous actors guest-starred on Little House including Willie Aames, Hermione Baddeley, Ernest Borgnine, Todd Bridges, Red Buttons, June Carter Cash, Johnny Cash, James Cromwell, David Faustino, Burl Ives, Mike Lookinland, Patricia Neal, Richard Mulligan, Sean Penn, & Kim Richards. For more information on the show, check out the show's Wikipedia page.

THE INGALLS FAMILY

Charles 'Pa' Ingalls - played by Michael Landon - patriarch of the Ingalls family.
Caroline 'Ma' Ingalls - played by Karen Grassle - matriarch of the Ingalls family.
Mary Ingalls Kendall - played by Melissa Sue Anderson - Oldest child.
Laura 'Half-Pint' Ingalls Wilder - played by Melissa Gilbert - Second daughter.
Carrie Ingalls - played by Sidney & Lindsay Greenbush - Third daughter.
Charles Ingalls Jr. - n/a - Baby boy died in Season 1.
Grace Ingalls - played by Brenda & Wendi Turnbaugh - Fourth daughter.
Albert Quinn Ingalls - played by Matthew Laborteaux - Adopted son (season 5).
James Cooper Ingalls - played by Jason Bateman - Adopted son (season 7).
Cassandra Cooper Ingalls - played by Missy Francis - Adopted daughter (season 7).

THE IN-LAWS OF THE INGALLS

Adam Kendall - played by Linwood Boomer - married to Mary (season 5).
Adam Kendall Jr. - n/a - son of Mary and Adam. (Dies in season 6).
Almanzo James 'Manly' Wilder - played by Dean Butler - married to Laura (season 7).
Rose Wilder - played by Jennifer & Michele Steffin - daughter of Laura and Almanzo (born in season 8).
Baby Boy Wilder - n/a - son of Laura and Almanzo (born/dies in season 9).
Eliza Jane Wilder - played by Lucy Lee Flippin - sister of Almanzo.
Jenny Wilder - played by Shannen Doherty - niece of Almanzo.

THE OLESON FAMILY

Nels Oleson - played by Richard Bull - patriarch of the Oleson family.
Harriet Oleson - played by Scottie MacGregor - matriarch of the Oleson family.
Nellie Oleson Dalton - played by Alison Arngrim - Oldest child.
Willie Oleson - played by Jonathan Gilbert - the son.
Nancy Oleson - played by Allison Balson - adopted daughter (season 8).

THE IN-LAWS OF THE OLESONS

Percival Dalton - played by Steve Tracy - married to Nellie (season 6).
Benjamin & Jennifer Dalton - n/a - son/daughter of Percival and Nellie. (born season 7).
Rachel Brown Oleson - played by Sherri Stoner - married to Willie (season 9).

THE EDWARDS FAMILY

Isaiah Edwards - played by Victor French - friend of Charles. (seasons 1-3/8-9).
Grace Snider Edwards - played by Bonnie Bartlett - wife of Mr. Edwards.
John Sanderson Edwards - played by Radames Pera - Oldest adopted son (season 2).
Carl Sanderson Edwards - played by Brian Part - Middle adopted son (season 2).
Alicia Sanderson Edwards - played by Kyle Richards - Youngest child, adopted daughter (season 2).

THE GARVEY FAMILY

Jonathan Garvey - played by Merlin Olsen - friend of Charles. (seasons 4-7).
Alice Garvey - played by Hersha Parady - wife of Jonathan. Dies in fire (season 6).
Andrew Garvey - played by Patrick Labyorteaux - Only child.

THE CARTER FAMILY

John Carter - played by Stan Ivar - moved into the little house after the Ingalls move (season 9).
Sarah Carter - played by Pamela Roylance - wife of John.
Jeb Carter - played by Lindsay Kennedy - Oldest son.
Jason Carter - played by David Friedman - Second son.

RESIDENTS OF WALNUT GROVE

Dr. Hiram Baker - played by Kevin Hagen - Town doctor.
Reverend Robert Alden - played by Dabbs Greer - Sweet natured Reverend of the town's church.
Eva Beadle - played by Charlotte Stewart - Teacher (seasons 1-4).
Lars Hanson - played by Karl Swenson - Founder of Walnut Grove.
Hester-Sue Terhune - played by Ketty Lester - Head teacher at the blind school (seasons 4-9).
Etta Plum - Leslie Landon- Teacher (season 9)