The entertainment world mourns the loss of Patty Maloney, the cherished actress best known for her role as Alice Bates in the classic series Little House on the Prairie. She passed away at 89 on March 31 in Winter Park, Florida, after battling multiple strokes in recent years.
Standing at just 3 feet 11 inches, Maloney’s career spanned decades, beginning with her Broadway debut at age three. After her father’s death when she was seven, she was raised by her mother and stepfather in Florida, where she later trained as a keypunch operator before returning to her first love—performing.
Maloney’s versatility shone through roles in The Star Wars Holiday Special as Lumpy, Chewbacca’s child, and as the robot waitress Tina in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Yet, it was her heartfelt performance in Little House on the Prairie that cemented her place in fans’ hearts.

Her brother, Dave Myrabo, shared that despite her small stature, she lived life fully, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and unforgettable characters.