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Allison Balson
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Allison Balson is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Her best-known role was that of Nancy Oleson on the Little House on the Prairie series[1]: 611 which she portrayed from 1981 to 1983.
Key Information
Biography
[edit]Balson portrayed the adopted Nancy Oleson on the TV drama Little House on the Prairie (1981) and Little House: A New Beginning (1982-1983). Prior she worked as a guest star in numerous syndicated television shows, such as Quincy and CHIPS, after school specials, national commercial advertising campaigns, such as Coca-Cola, M&M's, KFC, Vivitar Camera, Minute Maid Orange Juice, and portrayed Chrissy Roberts in the syndicated TV sitcom The Life and Times of Eddie Roberts (1980).[1] She also appeared in the film Best Seller (1987).[2] Balson also portrayed Mary in the indie feature film Broken Blood (2013) for which she was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress award of the Golden Door International Film Festival of Jersey City.[citation needed]
Balson hosted and produced the syndicated radio show "Music Scene Live" a talk show format broadcast which featured musical artists in live performance of original music in front of a live audience. The show aired nationally on a weekly basis, and was recorded for more than three years, and featured over 250 musical artists of various musical genres.[citation needed]
Balson continues to act in television and film productions. She is also in the process of producing and recording her third solo album, and released the single called "My Friend" in conjunction with the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Little House on the Prairie tv show.[citation needed]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | The Hearse | Alice | |
| The Goosehill Gang and the Mystery of Howling Woods | Beth | Direct to video | |
| The Goosehill Gang and the Gold Rush Treasure Map | |||
| The Goosehill Gang and the Mystery of the Treehouse Ghost | |||
| 1981 | Looker | Daughter | |
| 1987 | Legend of the White Horse | Jewel | |
| Best Seller | Holly Meechum | ||
| 2013 | Broken Blood | Mary |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | A Guide for the Married Woman | Debby | TV movie |
| 1980 | The Life and Times of Eddie Roberts | Chrissy Roberts | Main role |
| 1981 | Quincy, M.E. | Megan Carmody | Episode – "Who Speaks for the Children" |
| CHiPs | Amy | Episode – "Moonlight" | |
| 1982 | Goldie & Kids: Listen to Us | Herself | TV special |
| 1981–1983 | Little House on the Prairie | Nancy Oleson | Main role |
| 1983 | Little House: Look Back to Yesterday | TV movie | |
| 1984 | Little House: The Last Farewell | ||
| Little House: Bless All the Dear Children | |||
| 1986 | ABC Afterschool Specials | Jed's Girlfriend | Episode – "A Desperate Exit" |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 600. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
- ^ "(photo caption)". Tampa Bay Times. Florida, St. Petersburg. November 18, 1987. p. 82. Retrieved June 27, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
External links
[edit]| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
Allison Balson
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Early life and education
Childhood
Allison Balson was born on November 19, 1969, in Los Angeles, California.[5] She grew up in a military family, described as an "Army brat," with limited public details available about her parents or any siblings. Balson entered the entertainment industry at a young age, debuting as a model when she was five years old. By age six, she had secured prominent commercial work, including a national advertisement campaign for M&M's and a spot for Vivitar cameras alongside Orson Welles.[6] In the late 1970s, Balson transitioned from modeling to acting, beginning with minor television roles and commercials, such as her debut in the 1978 TV movie A Guide for the Married Woman as Debby.[1] These early opportunities laid the foundation for her career in on-screen performances.[1]Education
Balson demonstrated academic excellence in her secondary education, graduating as valedictorian from her high school in California. This achievement highlighted her strong scholastic performance amid a demanding early career in entertainment.[7] She pursued higher education at Princeton University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1991. Her time at Princeton marked a period of focused academic development following her teenage years in the public eye.[8] Balson later obtained a Master of Business Administration from Trinity College at the University of Dublin in Ireland, expanding her expertise into business and management principles. This advanced degree reflected her commitment to broadening her professional horizons beyond her initial field.[3]Career
Acting career
Allison Balson's breakthrough role came in 1981 when she was cast as Nancy Oleson, the adopted daughter of storekeepers Harriet and Nels Oleson, on the NBC family drama Little House on the Prairie. Portrayed as a spoiled, manipulative, and often cruel child who echoed and amplified the mean-spirited traits of her older sister Nellie, Nancy added a new layer of family tension to the series' depiction of pioneer life and moral dilemmas. Balson debuted in the season 8 premiere episode "The Reincarnation of Nellie" and appeared in 33 episodes across seasons 8 and 9, concluding in 1984. This role established her as a prominent child star and significantly boosted her fame within family-oriented television programming.[9][10][1] During the 1980s, Balson's career peaked with guest appearances on popular television shows, such as CHiPs (1978), Quincy, M.E. (1979), and ABC Afterschool Specials (1982), where she showcased her versatility in supporting roles amid episodic stories of adventure, crime, and heartfelt drama. In film, she took on the part of Holly Meechum, the young daughter of a police detective entangled in a dangerous plot, in the 1987 thriller Best Seller directed by John Flynn. Her performance as Nancy Oleson earned her a nomination for Best Young Actress in a Drama Series at the 1984 Young Artist Awards, recognizing her contributions to wholesome, value-driven content that resonated with young audiences.[11][12] By the 1990s, Balson's acting momentum slowed as she stepped back from the industry to focus on education, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University in 1991 and later a Master of Business Administration from Trinity College Dublin. She made occasional returns, including a role in the 1991 family adventure The Giant of Thunder Mountain and as Mary in the 2013 indie horror film Broken Blood, for which she received a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Golden Door International Film Festival. In 2024, Balson participated in reunion events celebrating the 50th anniversary of Little House on the Prairie. Throughout her acting tenure, Balson enriched family television with memorable portrayals of complex young characters, emphasizing themes of redemption and growth in shows like Little House on the Prairie.[3][6][13]Music and media career
Following her formal education, Allison Balson pursued a career as a folk singer-songwriter and producer, creating original music that drew on personal experiences.[3] In 2008, Balson formed the musical duo Allison & Stone and released their debut full-length album First through Organic Time Records, featuring 12 original progressive rock/pop songs that the pair co-wrote, performed, engineered, and produced.[8][14] Balson further established her vocal talents by winning the "Voice of the Ocean" singing competition in 2018 aboard the Emerald Princess cruise ship.[15] From 2013 to 2016, she hosted and produced the syndicated radio program Music Scene Live, a talk show-style broadcast that showcased live performances by emerging and established musical artists; the series produced 150 one-hour episodes, recorded at various music venues and festivals, and featured over 250 guests, including singer-songwriters Kevin Aldridge, Austin Cunningham, Keegan McInroe, and Earl Musick.[16][17] Balson's songwriting emphasizes heartfelt and personal themes, evident in her original compositions with emotional depth in their lyrics and vocals. In March 2024, she independently released the single "My Friend," a tribute to her late mentor Michael Landon, which she wrote and produced to mark the 50th anniversary of their shared project.[18][19]Filmography
Film
Allison Balson has appeared in several feature films throughout her acting career, primarily in supporting roles during her childhood and later in independent productions.| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | The Hearse | Alice | George Bowers [20] |
| 1981 | Looker | Daughter | Michael Crichton [21] |
| 1987 | Best Seller | Holly Meechum | John Flynn [22] |
| 1987 | Legend of the White Horse | Jewel | Jerzy Domaradzki and Janusz Morgenstern [23] |
| 2013 | Broken Blood | Mary | Derek Wayne Johnson [24] |
Television
Allison Balson began her television career as a child in the late 1970s before landing her breakthrough role.[1] Her notable television credits include:- A Guide for the Married Woman (1978, TV movie) as Debby.[25]
- The Life and Times of Eddie Roberts (1980) as Chrissy Roberts (main role).[26]
- Quincy, M.E. (1981) as Megan Carmody in the episode "Who Speaks for the Children?" (1 episode).[27]
- CHiPs (1981) as Amy in the episode "Moonlight" (1 episode).[28]
- Goldie and Kids: Listen to Us (1982, TV special) as herself.[29]
- Little House on the Prairie (1981–1983) as Nancy Oleson (33 episodes). Her first appearance was in the season 8 premiere "The Reincarnation of Nellie (Part 1)," and her final regular episode was in season 9.[1]
- Little House: Look Back to Yesterday (1983, TV movie) as Nancy Oleson.[30]
- Little House: Bless All the Dear Children (1984, TV movie) as Nancy Oleson.[31]
- Little House: The Last Farewell (1984, TV movie) as Nancy Oleson.[32]
- ABC Afterschool Specials (1986) as Jed's Girlfriend in the episode "A Desperate Exit" (1 episode).[33]