Patty Maloney, the beloved actress who brought heart and humor to generations of viewers, has passed away at the age of 89. Best known for her memorable role as Alice Bates in the final season of Little House on the Prairie, Maloney’s career spanned decades and genres — but it was her spirit that left the deepest mark.
Her passing was confirmed by her brother, Dave Myrabo, who shared that she died on Monday, March 31, in hospice care in Winter Park, Florida. She had been battling complications from multiple strokes in recent years.
Born Patricia Anne Maloney on March 17, 1936, in Perkinsville, New York, she stood just 3 feet 11 inches tall — yet lived a life that was anything but small. Her journey in entertainment began at the tender age of three with a role on Broadway. After losing her father at age seven, her family relocated to Winter Park, where she was raised by her mother and stepfather.
Early in life, Maloney discovered a love for performing. She traveled with carnivals, performed with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and even trained as a keypunch operator at the University of Florida. Later, while working for National Airlines in New York, she met Joseph Vitek, her future husband. They married in 1961 and moved to Chicago — but in 1968, tragedy struck again when Vitek died of melanoma.
Following her husband’s death, Maloney returned to show business, and it wasn’t long before she began earning roles that showcased her incredible versatility. She worked with the Krofft brothers on Fol-de-Rol and found lasting fame in cult classics such as Far Out Space Nuts and the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special, where she played Lumpy, Chewbacca’s son.
Speaking years later about the unforgettable experience of performing in a full costume made of real human hair, she recalled,
“It was a lot of hard work, but it was also a lot of fun… There was hardly any place to really breathe… I remember someone standing by to open the mouth and put a straw through so I could breathe and get some oxygen.”
Her talent found a home across both television and film. From guest appearances on Charlie’s Angels, The Love Boat, and Donny & Marie, to standout performances in The Ice Pirates and Under the Rainbow, Maloney’s presence was always impactful.
Still, many fans will remember her most fondly for her role on Little House on the Prairie. In the show’s ninth and final season, she portrayed Alice Bates, a character who, like Maloney herself, brought warmth and resilience to the screen.
She also lent her voice to the animated series The Little Rascals, voicing Darla Hood, and portrayed the robot waitress Tina on Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.
Her brother summed up her remarkable life by saying,
“For a little person growing up in a big world, she did everything she wanted to do.”
In 2010, Maloney was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration, a condition that gradually diminished her central vision — yet her bright outlook remained. Despite health challenges, her heart and humor continued to shine.
She is survived by her brother Dave, brother-in-law Vic, and her nieces, Jennifer and Laura. Her life was one of courage, creativity, and enduring grace.
Fans and loved ones are sharing tributes to the actress whose voice, laughter, and kind heart will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace, Patty Maloney. Thank you for the joy and light you gave the world — your legacy lives on.
