The beloved TV show ‘Little House on the Prairie’ remains a favorite for many, including myself, as I delight in watching the reruns.
I fondly recall gathering with my family each week to watch this show, a source of valuable lessons in morality and values that seem scarce in today’s world.
The series featured remarkable actors and captivating characters, one of whom stood out: Carrie Ingalls, the lovable third daughter of the Ingalls family.
What many might not know is that Carrie was portrayed by identical twins.
Initially, it was easy to mistake the twin sisters, Sidney and Lindsay Greenbush, as one person, listed as “Lindsay Sidney Greenbush” in the credits, leading to the misconception.
However, the reality is that these twin sisters shared the role of “Carrie” from 1974 to 1982.
Now, several decades later, Sidney and Rachel Lindsay have reached the age of 51, both blossoming into beautiful women, a stark contrast from their days as “Carrie.”
A Natural Talent
Rachel Lindsay and Sidney Robyn Greenbush were born in Los Angeles, California, on May 25, 1970, with Sidney arriving just three minutes after her sister, Rachel.
Acting ran in their bloodline, as their father, Billy “Green” Bush, was an American actor known for his roles as sheriffs and police officers with a classic cowboy persona.
Their father appeared in notable films like “Five Easy Pieces” (1971) and made guest appearances in iconic TV shows like M*A*S*H, where he portrayed “Cowboy.”
Being surrounded by the entertainment industry during their upbringing, Lindsay and Sidney often accompanied their father to various movie sets.
While growing up on a ranch in Malibu, their relocation to an apartment in Malibu at the age of 7 brought them closer to the set of “Little House.”
Their first major break came in 1973 with the TV movie “Sunshine,” where they shared the role of Jill Hayden, a casting suggestion made by a family friend who saw promise in the twins.
When Michael Landon, the casting director for “Little House on the Prairie,” learned of the twins through the director of “Sunshine,” he was prompt in offering them the role of Carrie Ingalls, recognizing their talent from the start.
With their whimsical charisma, Lindsay and Sidney were cast to share the role of Carrie Ingalls, a common practice for young actors in the industry.
The Olsen twins from “Full House” serve as another prominent example of this casting approach.
Yearning for More of Carrie
“Little House on the Prairie,” spanning from 1974 to 1983, drew inspiration from the beloved children’s books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, depicting the Ingalls family’s life in the American Midwest of the nineteenth century.
Since its debut, the show garnered immense popularity.
Rachel Lindsay and Sidney Robyn portrayed the endearing Carrie with dedication, etching her character in viewers’ hearts as the youngest Ingalls child.
Many remember Carrie’s iconic moments from the opening credits, including the scene where one of the twins runs through a field and stumbles.
In an interview with People Weekly in 2001, Rachel Lindsay shared, “I remember running down the hill too fast. I fell, and when I got up, my mother, by the camera, told me to start running again.” This unexpected fall captured in the shot was cherished by the director, Michael Landon.
Reflecting on their time on set, Robyn remarked, “It was a natural accident that ended up being valued. Who knows, maybe it inspired ‘America’s Funniest Home Video.'”
Carrie’s character displayed slow growth, leaving viewers yearning for more of her presence. However, the sisters later revealed some intriguing insights about their experience with Michael Landon.
“Michael never made it enjoyable for us; I was always afraid of making a mistake,” confessed Rachel Lindsay.
In September 1978, the twins shared the screen in the episode “The Godsister,” where they both played a role in Carrie’s imaginative creation of a friend named Alyssa, showcasing their versatility by alternating between characters.
“My favorite episode was ‘The Godsister’ because we finally had the opportunity to establish to Michael that we were equally talented,” Sidney Robyn expressed later.
Their roles in the popular series not only garnered them fame but also led to unique opportunities, including a visit to the White House after a letter from the sisters to Amy Carter, daughter of President Jimmy Carter, who was a fan of the show.
The Unseen Sibling
Among the Greenbush family, Lindsay and Sidney were not the sole members to grace the screen. Their older brother, Clay, also made occasional appearances in the series.
Subsequently, Clay pursued an acting career and featured in various Hollywood productions, including “Superhero Movie” in 2008.
In 1982, the twins bid farewell to the series as Michael Landon steered “Little House” in a fresh creative direction, explaining Carrie’s absence by the Ingalls family’s relocation to Iowa for a better future.
Post their stint as Carrie, Lindsay had a guest role on the crime drama series “Matt Houston” in 1983, while Sidney ventured into “Hillie and Hambone,” a comedy-drama released in 1984.
Transitioning from the Spotlight
Despite dabbling in commercials and magazine features, the twins faced challenges securing new roles in Hollywood.
Rachel Lindsay shared with Zunshine.com, “We auditioned for many of the same parts, often resulting in one of us conceding the role to avoid hurting the other’s feelings.”
As they matured, Lindsay and Sidney shifted their focus to academics, both graduating from Santa Monica High School in 1988 before bidding adieu to acting and pursuing higher education.
With a shared passion for equestrian pursuits since childhood, the twins invested in a 28-acre ranch in Malibu.
Present-Day Lindsay
In 1993, Lindsay relocated to New Mexico, commencing work at Taos Ski Valley, where she crossed paths with a construction worker, sparking a brief romance.
During this time, Lindsay welcomed a daughter, Katlynn, from this relationship. Presently, both Lindsay and her daughter have no contact with the father.
Lindsay now resides in California with her husband, Daniel Sanchez, whom she met on the set of Little House, at the Big Sky Ranch.
