Hersha Parady, the “Little House on the Prairie” actress, has died at the age of 78

Hersha Parady, who played Walnut Grove schoolteacher Alice Garvey in Little House on the Prairie, has died. She was 78 years old.

Paradis died Wednesday night in Norfolk, Virginia, at the home of her son, Jonathan Beverall, who confirmed her death via a GoFundMe page he launched in July to improve her quality of life in her final days.

“She left us last night at the age of 78 and is now at peace.” books. “My mother was a talented actress, but more importantly a lovable presence in many hearts – more than I had ever realised. I was constantly amazed at the number of people who expressed to me the impact she had on their lives.

He added: “Despite what I can only describe as ‘difficult’ at times, she was the best mum. She was also a doting grandmother, and her three grandchildren, who brought such joy to her life, will be sorely missed.

Beveral said his mother fought a courageous battle against a challenging medical condition, meningioma, and “even in her struggles, she continues to inspire us with her strength and resilience.

“On one occasion, a female doctor expressed to me her amazement that she had stayed with us for so long, given her condition; And I said: If you knew my mother, you wouldn’t be surprised.

According to the “NCIS” producer. Jill WeinbergerParady, who was the actor’s long-time neighbor and close friend, successfully underwent surgery to partially remove her brain tumor, but was taken to a rehabilitation facility, where she contracted pneumonia. After several weeks in the intensive care unit, she passed away.

“Although the past two years have been difficult for her, she has never stopped radiating light and laughter, and among her friends and fans, I know she has literally touched thousands of lives and brought so much joy to so many,” Weinberger wrote. Facebook.

Paradis portrayed Alice Garvey in Michael Landon’s “Little House on the Prairie” for 33 episodes, beginning with the series’ fourth-season premiere, “Castoffs,” in September 1977.

In her final episode, “May We Make Them Proud,” which aired as a two-hour episode in 1980, her character attempts to save blind children from a burning building and eventually succumbs to the flames.

Paradis Betty Sandhoff was born May 25, 1945 in Berea, Ohio. She renamed herself “Hershey” after the chocolate bar, even though she didn’t like sweets – she just liked the name. Her agent changes it to Hersha.

in 2019 interview With “The Little House on the Prairie Podcast” The actress said that she had been preparing for stardom since childhood.

Parady graduated from Beria High School in 1963 and, despite her grandparents’ disapproval, moved to the city to pursue her dreams. “My mother always said I put my grandparents in their grave because I dropped out of high school and immediately went to the Cleveland Play House, and then to an apartment during the ’60s in the ghetto.” She said. “And I was living on my own. And it was dangerous.

In the 1970s, she packed her bags to Los Angeles, where she played Stella opposite Jon Voight in a touring production of A Streetcar Named Desire.

Paradis appeared on the small screen in a 1971 episode of Bearcats! Over the next few years, she landed roles on episodes of “Mannix” and “The Waltons.” In 1976, she landed the hit Little House on the Prairie, and then moved on to filming with “Raw Courage” (1984), “Hyper Sapien: People From Another Star” (1986), and “The Break” (1995). .

Paradis was married to British producer and director John Beverall, who shared the Best Picture Oscar in 1979 for The Deer Hunter. Together, they traveled to India, Thailand and Africa for various Beveral projects. They have lived for a year in India.

At 74 years old, Paradis He said“I always felt young and full of spit and vinegar and still do.”

In addition to her son, the survivors include her brothers, Patty, Kenny and Bobby.