Football star turned actor Merlin Olsen, who was a key member of the Los Angeles Rams' defensive line nicknamed the "Fearsome Foursome," died at the age of 69 on Thursday after a battle with cancer.

Merlin Olsen, a Hall of Fame defensive lineman and member of the Los Angeles Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" who followed up football with a successful television career in "Little House on the Prairie," NFL broadcasts and commercials, has died. He was 69.

Merlin Olsen, a Hall of Fame defensive lineman and member of the Los Angeles Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" who followed up football with a successful television career in "Little House on the Prairie," NFL broadcasts and commercials, has died. He was 69.

Merlin Olsen, a Hall of Fame defensive lineman and member of the Los Angeles Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" who followed up football with a successful television career in "Little House on the Prairie," NFL broadcasts and commercials, has died. He was 69.

Football star turned actor Merlin Olsen, who was a member of the Los Angeles Rams' defensive line nicknamed the "Fearsome Foursome," died on Thursday of cancer at age 69.

Utah Rams Hall of Famer and TV actor Merlin Olsen dies of cancer at 69. Merlin Olsen - Father Murphy - Hall of fame - sport - United States

DUARTE, Calif., March 11 (UPI) -- Pro football Hall of Fame defensive lineman Merlin Olsen, who later moved into sports commentary and acting, died Thursday, the St. Louis Rams said. He was 69.

Olsen was one-quarter of the Los Angeles Rams' Fearsome Foursome as well as a familiar face from 'Little House on the Prairie.' He also served for 15 seasons as football analyst for NBC and CBS. Merlin Olsen, a Hall of Fame defensive lineman with the Los Angeles Rams who was a charter member of the team's famed Fearsome Foursome, then made a remarkably smooth transition into careers in ...

Merlin Olson, a fearsome Hall of Fame defensive end who later became famed for his gentle-giant roles on television, died Wednesday night from cancer. He was 69 years old. Olsen had been fighting mesothelioma since 2009 and had been undergoing chemotherapy.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Pro Football Hall of Famer and former television actor Merlin Olsen has died. He was 69.