I know there are many out there who fell in love with Matthew Laborteaux when he joined 'Little House On The Prairie'. As Albert Ingalls, Matthew was adorable, and the storyline of him being taken into the Ingalls family could not but touch your heart. Matthew is a very good actor, and that face and head of curly hair gained him millions of fans. After Little House ended, Matthew went on to 'Whiz Kids' and various tv guest shots. Matthew has not appeared to have done any on screen acting roles since his 1991 appearance on 'Silk Stalkings'. Since then, he has concentrated on voice over work, working steadily as a voice over artist. Matthew was one of my first crushes, even before I knew what that meant. Here's to Matthew and Albert who made am impression on many fans in the 70's and 80's.
Matthew with brother Patrick Labyorteaux
Matthew is the adopted brother of actor Patrick Labyorteaux. I only ad adopted (As it really means nothing, they are brothers) because of the difference noted in the spelling of their last names. (Although Matthew seems to have taken on Patrick's spelling in some credits.) Patrick was also on Little House, but known to most for his role on 'Jag'. I felt a little odd researching and scanning their pictures. At a young age, they were posed shirtless and in speedo's which today would not, and should not be ok given how young they were. Not sure who was looking out for the boys during some of the photo shoots, but I would not even scan some of the shots. They were frequently in Tiger Beat and magazines like it in poses which today seem almost scary. When I was 9 or 10 looking at the pics in magazines they seemed very innocent. Both talented, the brothers were very popular in the 70's and 80's and were promoted indiviually and together often in the press.
Matthew in 'Little House On The Prairie'
Matthew in 'Whiz Kids'
Matthew today, cute as ever.
1 comment:
Odd how folks nowadays can't understand that in the 1960's and 70's it wasn't uncommon for boys to wear speedos, whether on a swim team or not. My brother and I grew up wearing them, and while never in the majority, there was a strong minority of boys like us who preferred them over bulky swim trunks. Like it or not, that's just the way things were 30 to 40 years ago. And what's so "shocking" that a magazine such as 16 or Tiger Beat, aimed at young girls, would publish pics of the boys in speedos? And the real irony of this situation is that, back in the 70's, I'd guess those speedos the brothers are pictured in were probably the ones they usually wore! Only in the mindset of these present times would anyone even question it, and ascribe anything "sexual" or "immoral" to those who did that photo shoot. People make a big error when they ascribe present standards of dress to past eras. BTW, I've traveled the world, and can report that in most places it's common for boys and men to wear speedos -- Europe, Asia, Central & South America. Sorry to have to mention it, but we in the United States are the ones who are "out of step" with the rest of the world on this issue.
Post a Comment