More than 40 years after Little House on the Prairie ended, fans of the beloved historical drama are still asking: What really happened to Albert Quinn Ingalls? The character was played by Matthew Labyorteaux, who was just 10 years old when he joined the cast. With a remake of the show in the works at Netflix, fans are looking back at some of the biggest storylines from the prairie, including the theories behind Albert’s dramatic ending.
Who Was Albert Quinn Ingalls on ‘Little House on the Prairie’?
Introduced in season 5, Albert (Matthew Labyorteaux) is a troubled young boy who’s taken in by Charles and Caroline Ingalls (played by Michael Landon and Karen Grassle) after they find him living on the streets in Winoka, where they’ve moved to find work. Due to his hardscrabble circumstances, Albert’s had to steal to get by — which doesn’t sit well with Charles — but he’s a good kid at heart, and the Ingalls welcome him into their wholesome, tight-knit family.
“Michael Landon had always wanted a son on the show, and he wrote the part of Albert,” Matthew told UPtv. “He [also] wrote the episode where Charles decided to ask me if I wanted to be adopted and be a part of the family. And when we did eventually move back to Walnut Grove, I moved back as his son. I myself was adopted, so that was kind of a special, personal moment for me — being adopted on the show in the same way my loving parents adopted me in real life.”
How Albert Quinn Ingalls Overcame Struggles on the Prairie
Although Albert has little trouble adjusting to Walnut Grove, he still struggles with the trauma of being abandoned. “It seemed like I got paid to cry for a living on this show,” Matthew said. “That’s pretty much what my character did all the time.” Despite his stable home life with the Ingalls, Albert still gets into trouble.
From accidentally burning down the school for the blind to struggling with a morphine addiction — he’s been through it all. But with the help of his family, particularly Charles, Albert overcomes his troubles, demonstrating the strength of their bond and his own resilience.
‘Little House on the Prairie’ cast
So, What Happened to Albert When ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Ended?
Tragically, in the series’ 1983 TV movie, Little House: Look Back to Yesterday, Albert is diagnosed with a serious illness, implied to be leukemia. Still, Albert’s ultimate fate is somewhat ambiguous. In the final scene, he is shown holding hands with his adoptive sister, Laura (played by Melissa Gilbert), in front of the keepsake tree, suggesting that he lives. Yet Matthew has his own take on Albert’s fate: “It was sort of a swan song and saying goodbye to my sister and my family. The episode really was also about Laura coming to grips with losing her brother.”
Did Albert Die on ‘Little House on the Prairie’?
The character’s death was never confirmed but Matthew’s quotes seemingly allude to him meeting his fate. Whether Albert lives or dies, one thing is for certain: Matthew loved being a part of the Little House family. “It was it was a wonderful show and a great life,” he said, reflecting on his experience.