Little House on the Prairie star hits out at teen actors for saying they ‘hate’ their early fame
Actor Patrick Labyorteaux has defended the experience of childhood fame, rejecting claims it was negative and describing his time as a teen magazine favourite as “awesome”.
Patrick Labyorteaux has slammed former child stars who downplay their early fame – saying he “hates” when people pretend being a teen idol “wasn’t that great”.
The actor, 60, who rose to prominence as Andy Garvey on Little House on the Prairie in the 1970s, spoke about his experiences during an appearance on The Patrick LabyorSheaux.
Alongside his brother Matthew Labyorteaux, 59, who played Albert Ingalls on the same series, Patrick became a regular feature in teen magazines of the era, including Tiger Beat and 16 Magazine.
Reflecting on the period, Patrick has now said he embraced the attention and rejected suggestions that such fame should be viewed with embarrassment.
He added: “I was a teen idol. I can’t believe it when I say it, but yeah, I was a teen idol. I was in the magazines, I was in 16 Magazine, Tiger Beat. My brother and I were both in them, and I was just the perfect age to be in them.”
Patrick continued: “We were on Little House on the Prairie, and they put us in magazines, and I swear to you, I absolutely loved it. I mean, come on, what’s better than being a teen idol?
“You get all of these pictures of you in magazines. All these girls are going crazy for you, and it was awesome.”
He contrasted his experience with more intense levels of fame, saying it did not reach the scale associated with global pop acts.
Patrick said: “It wasn’t like The Beatles for me. It wasn’t like The Beatles at all.
“It wasn’t like we were chased down. And again, these are Little House fans… so they’d what? Storm into the house and offer to churn your butter? This was not like a dangerous fandom.”
Patrick also described socialising with other young performers of the time, including Glen Scarpelli from One Day at a Time, and Danielle Brisebois known for All in the Family.
He said: “We’d go bowling, or we’d have these events where you’d meet up with the other celebrities. It was really, really fun.”
Reiterating his view the experience should not be dismissed, Patrick said: “Do not believe those fakers who say, ‘Oh, it wasn’t that great’.
“Yeah, it was. It was awesome.”
He added he “hates” when people act like the label is “so stupid” and “try to act cool”.
After his early television success, Patrick went on to appear as Bud Roberts in JAG and in episodes of NCIS.
