6. Merlin Olsen, Football Player, Actor, Broadcaster (1940-2010)
No matter which career he pursued, Merlin Olson was an imposing figure with a Teddy Bear’s sensitivity. Appearing in a record 14-straight NFL Pro Bowls representing the Los Angeles Rams and their “Fearsome Foursome,” the Hall of Fame defensive tackle went on to a successful broadcasting career, working as a college and professional football analyst for several Super Bowls and Rose Bowls. He also had an impressive acting career, appearing in over a dozen movies and television shows. Merlin Olsen starred in football for many years with the Los Angeles Rams — he reached the Pro Football Hall of Fame — and transitioned easily into his post-playing days as a successful actor. He starred in the television series Little House on the Prairie. He also became a broadcaster with NBC, working as an analyst during National Football League games.
Mesothelioma was a shocking diagnosis for him. Olsen attributed his exposure to asbestos to his childhood when he worked after school doing manual labor. He also handled drywall when he was older. Before he died, he filed a lawsuit against 20th Century Fox and NBC Studios, attributing more exposure to his time in television.