Trivia

She is on the national advisory committee of the National Association to Protect Children. She has spoken in the media about her own experiences as a victim of child sexual abuse and helped lobby on behalf of a California law toughening sentences against abusers who victimize family members.

Calls the character she played in Little House on the Prairie (1974), Nellie Oleson, "The living embodiment of PMS."

After being passed over for the roles of Laura and Mary Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie (1974), she won the part of "Nasty" Nellie Oleson on the spot, after playing mean so convincingly in her audition.

Her signature "Nellie Oleson curls" were a wig, which were held so tightly to her head that her scalp bled.

She often fainted on the Little House on the Prairie (1974) set because the show was shot in the hills above Simi Valley, CA, where the temperature was routinely 100+ degrees.

Following the AIDS-related death of the Little House on the Prairie (1974) husband, Steve Tracy, she began working as an AIDS activist. She regularly volunteered at AIDS Project Los Angeles and at Tuesday's Child, a family-oriented AIDS organization.

In Little House on the Prairie (1974), her character of Nellie Oleson was renowned for making life miserable for Laura Ingalls (Melissa Gilbert). Reportedly, at a parade many years after the show's run had come to an end, a fan threw a can of orange soda at Arngrim's head screaming: "I hate you for all the things you did to Laura!"

Worked as a poster model for three years after leaving Little House on the Prairie (1974).

Was #96 on VH-1's 100 Greatest Kid Stars (2005).

Very successful in France with two shows with French comedian-writer-director Patrick Loubatière: Confessions d'une Garce de la Prairie (2006+) and La malle aux trésors de Nellie Oleson (2012+).

Her acting mentor is the late Richard Bull.

Originally auditioned for the role of "Laura Ingalls" on Little House on the Prairie (1974).

Her husband is a musician

Younger sister of Stefan Arngrim.

Attended Dana Plato's 1999 funeral.

Has a step-daughter from her second husband.

Daughter of Norma MacMillan and Thor Arngrim

Good friends with Little House co-star Melissa Gilbert.

In contrast to her popular portrayal of mean and spiteful Nellie Oleson, Alison is very warm, kind, and gracious in real life.