Karen Grassle Details How Clash With Michael Landon Impacted Her Relationship With ‘Little House’ Fans

Karen Grassle didn’t always have a strong relationship with Little House on the Prairie fans — and she’s sharing why.

The actress — who portrayed Caroline ‘Ma’ Ingalls on the beloved series from seasons 1 through 8 — famously did not get along with director and costar Michael Landon, which she revealed impacted her involvement with viewers in a People article published on Wednesday, December 17.

Grassle told the outlet that the issues with Landon began after he refused to give her a raise for the second season, noting, “I ran myself into the ground with resentment and anger and hurt feelings and just pure exhaustion.”

Grassle explained that the tension with the filmmaker — who passed away in 1991 — made her want to distance herself from fans.

“I had limited my interactions with fans very much,” she admitted. “I really didn’t go to many events. I didn’t hang out with everybody. I separated myself.”

However, in recent years Grassle has re-entered the Little House fold and, earlier this month, attended a fan event at Strathearn Historical Park in Simi Valley, California, to close out the show’s 50th reunion year.

“I had no idea the depth of affection that people had for this character. It just filled my heart because I worked so hard to make something special out of that character, and there were many days that I did not look forward to going to work,” she told People.

“What a payoff!… I mean how many people this long after they do a piece of work, get this kind of feedback? Incredible!” Grassle added.