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TRIBUTE TO A CLOSE LONG TIME FRIEND, MERLIN OLSEN

A LONG TIME CLOSE FRIEND... MERLIN OLSEN
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Merlin Olsen passed away on March 11, 2010, he was 69 years old. Many remember Merlin for both of his major career accomplishments, being a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and acting on the dramatic series Little House on the Prairie. He had also starred in his own television show, Father Murphy. Merlin Olsen was father to three children and was the proud grandfather of four children. He was battling Mesothelioma lung cancer, a condition he was diagnosed with in 2009.

A native of Utah, he had lived in Park City until his hospital stay in Duarte, California.          
In 1962, Merlin Olsen signed with the Rams and joined the NFL. A professional football player, Merlin Olsen played for fourteen years. He played his last professional game in 1976 in Bloomington, Minnesota.
Olsen entered television by providing commentary which opened the door to television. In 1977, he landed the role of Jonathan Carvey on Little House on the Prairie. It was Little House’s director Michael Landon that cast Olsen in the role as Father Murphy. Merlin Olsen died at the City of Hope Hospital surrounded by his family. 

In this 1980 handout photo, broadcaster Merlin Olsen is shown. Pro Football Hall of Famer and

former television actor Merlin Olsen died Wednesday, March 10, 2010, in Los Angeles. He was 69. (AP Photo)

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Art Co-Aurthored the song, OL' JACK DANIELSON with long-time friend, actor and professional athlete Merlin Olsen.
~ The Information and Photos were gifted by RON HADFIELD ~

We all thnak you Ron!

*The statue of Merlin was erected at Utah State University's Football Stadium where they named the field Merlin Olsen Field last December.*The unveiling of the statue was on October 23, 2010.*Photo of the plaque on the front base of the statue.  There were other plaques showing Merlin's accomplishments, the donors supporting the statue and other funds in Merlin and Susan's names at the University.*Blair Buswell (on the left) is the sculptor.  He does all the busts for the NFL Hall of Fame.  Next is Paul Murray, who originated the idea to have the statue. Then me and Mel Fonnesbeck.  Paul, Mel and I have been life-long friends of Merlin, all growing up in Logan, Utah.*Photo of Susan, with six of Merlin's siblings that were at the unveiling.*Photo of Merlin Olsen Field at USU Homecoming Game on 10/23/10. 
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< < < Welcome to THE ART HARRIMAN Website . . . MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER. . . Here is a man with a unique approach to motivational, inspirational speaking, weaving music and humor throughout his powerful and memorable messages. - In the 1960's, after serving four years in the U.S. Marine Corp, and four more years as a student of stage, film and behavioral science, Art Harriman entitled his life journal, "Dare to Become Your Dream." Art appeared in movies with Elvis Presley, Lana Turner, Hank Williams, Jr. and on the Bill Cosby Show. - In the 1970's Art Harriman created and co-produced the Smiff Bros. Coast to Coast Musical Variety Show, performed standup comedy at the Ice House in Pasadena California, and was the winner of six International Toastmaster Serious and Humorous Speech contests! - In the 1980's, Art performed his One Man Band on the Children's Miracle Network Telethon for six years with Bob Hope, Merlin Olsen, Johnny Cash, The Osmond Family and many others, to help raise over $400 million for children's hospitals. Art also performed as opening act for The Kingston Trio, Shirley Jones, and The Louise Mandrell Show; Art loves meeting people in the entertainment industry, and enjoyed visits with Sir Laurence Olivier, Kathrine Hepburn, Gloria Swanson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and his long time friend Adela Rogers St. Johns. Art entertained in Austria, Germany, and England. He played music with Roy Acuff, Bill Monroe, Chet Atkins, and Vince Gill. He performed his World's Smallest Harmonica routine on the Grand Ole Opry stage, on WSM radio and on the Nashville Now television show. As a motivational speaker for computer software companies, real estate companies, Mary Kay Cosmetic sales personnel, and School administrators, Art has appreciated being asked to return. - In the 1990's, Art wrote and preformed radio and TV commercials, and won $5000 in talent competitions. He wrote, produced and hosted his own local television show, and won the Downhill Celebrity Ski Classic, benefiting the March of Dimes at Snow Summit. - In the 2000's, as an auctioneer, Art helped raise thousands of dollars for the Snow Summit Jr. Race Team, D.O.V.E.S., Soropt0mists, and the Big Bear Lake Chamber of Commerce. Art completed a CD of original songs introduced by Shirley Jones entitled "Sharing the Love." He played the part of Charlie the Mailman in the stage production of Ernest Thompson's "On Golden Pond." - Today, Art Harriman continues to write and perform radio and TV commercials, performs his One Man Band, and as a motivational speaker promotes his premises: "People who feel good about themselves produce good results," "Freedom from Fear," "Stress Prevention/Stress Busting," and, "The Art Of Living In Possibility." - This summer Art has collaborated in writing an anthem for the state of New Hampshire with Ernest Thompson and many other songs. - Art has summered in New England and wintered in California for the past thirty years. - "Art speaks and sings from the heart." (Shirley Jones) " - "Art's music exemplifies his message." (Adela Rogers St. Johns) - "Art Harriman is a real entertainer." (Pat Boone) ~ ENTERTAINER ~ COMEDIAN ~ MASTER OF CEREMONIES. <<

Lets go to THE ARTrivia Page and have some fun!           * ART'S GUESTBOOK
  • WELCOME HOME FOLKS!
  • LATEST NEWS AND MORE
  • MOVIE ADVENTURE - TIME AND CHARGES
  • ART'S MUSIC (SHIRLEY JONES INTRO.)
  • RUBBIN' ELBOWS
  • HONORING THOSE WHO INSPIRED ME
  • MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKING
  • SOUND ADVICE
  • MY SPECIAL TIME WITH ELVIS
  • ART SANDWICH FAIR N.H.
  • TRIBUTE TO MERLIN OLSEN
  • ARTRIVIA: THE QUESTIONS
  • ARTRIVIA: THE ANSWERS
  • ART'S VIDEOS

          Site Established June 2003 (Weebly since 04-19-2015)




  • WELCOME HOME FOLKS!
  • LATEST NEWS AND MORE
  • Movie Adventure - TIME AND CHARGES
  • Art's Music (SHIRLEY JONES INTRO.)
  • RUBBIN' ELBOWS
  • Honoring Those Who Inspired Me
  • Motivational Speaking
  • SOUND ADVICE
  • MY SPECIAL TIME WITH ELVIS
  • Art Sandwich Fair N.H.
  • Tribute to Merlin Olsen
  • ARTrivia: The Questions
  • ARTrivia: The Answers
  • ART'S VIDEOS
  • WELCOME HOME FOLKS!
  • LATEST NEWS AND MORE
  • Movie Adventure - TIME AND CHARGES
  • Art's Music (SHIRLEY JONES INTRO.)
  • RUBBIN' ELBOWS
  • Honoring Those Who Inspired Me
  • Motivational Speaking
  • SOUND ADVICE
  • MY SPECIAL TIME WITH ELVIS
  • Art Sandwich Fair N.H.
  • Tribute to Merlin Olsen
  • ARTrivia: The Questions
  • ARTrivia: The Answers
  • ART'S VIDEOS