click here → Chris Hendrie's MySpace

Chris Hendrie

I appeared as Coy in the first part of the Little House on the Prairie episode "He Was Only Twelve." Guest starring on the show was a fun, high-energy experience. The family atmosphere Michael created with cast and crew alike was very relaxed and friendly and allowed the actors to take risks and do their best work. As a director, Michael was an amazing force of nature on the set. Not only was he writing the 2nd part of the episode while he was directing and starring in the first, but he had assembled a crack crew (many held over from Bonanza) and ran a very tight ship. My experience with him as an actor was that he was simply wonderful to work with on every level.

I also remember Michael’s wonderful sense of humor. When we were shooting the breakfast scene with Coy's wife and son and I was confronted with the task of drinking raw eggs, Michael with characteristic good humor, asked if I would like to shoot the scene in one take. Well, I said I certainly hope I could. He then produced two cartons of eggs (2 dozen) from behind his back and said, "You're welcome to do as many takes as you like!" With that strong incentive, I did it in one take and sucked them down like it was a regular morning ritual. Everyone cracked up and applauded, including Michael.

The raw egg drinking scene from the Little House on the Prairie episode "He Was Only Twelve"

I got to work with Michael again when he directed me in the Highway to Heaven episode "A Match Made in Heaven." I was playing another baddie, architect Brad Kearns, and had to be a real jerk, taking credit for my associate's work. The lady in question roundly accuses me of stealing her work and her parting shot was: "You have, without a doubt, the worst breath I have ever smelled." She then slams the door and walks out. Michael had me cup my hands and breathe into them to try and get a whiff of my own breath to check how bad it really was and then wonder if it were true. Again, Michael's wonderfully wicked sense of humor gave that scene the proper payback for the character and was very funny. He and his wonderful crew worked fast, furious and brilliantly with great humor. I miss him. He was totally unique, went out with great courage and style, and was taken from us at much too young an age. He did, however, play an angel. I’m thinking he may still be around.

From the Highway to Heaven episode "A Match Made in Heaven"