Butler's career as an actor started with a small part on the TV series The Streets of San Francisco.[5] His first major role was in the 1978 TV movie Forever, based on Judy Blume's novel of the same title.[6]
Butler is best known for his portrayal of Almanzo Wilder on the NBC family drama Little House on the Prairie, which was based on the classic Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. He appeared in the final four seasons of the show, the spin-off show Little House: A New Beginning, and the three post-series TV movies.[7] After Little House ended, he played Jeff "Moondoggie" Griffin in the TV series The New Gidget and Buffy’s dad, Hank Summers, on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.[8][9]
During the 1980s and 1990s, Butler was a guest star on various television series, including Murder, She Wrote; Who's the Boss?; The Love Boat; and JAG.[10][11] He co-starred with the late Gary Coleman in The Kid with the 200 I.Q..[12] He appeared in the movies Desert Hearts and The Final Goal.[13][14]
Onstage, Butler has performed in the shows of Stephen Sondheim. He appeared on Broadway in the original company of Into the Woods as Rapunzel's Prince, internationally as Tony in West Side Story and regionally in Company.
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