Overview

• Jason Bateman said on a Sept. 18 Hot Ones episode that, as a child actor on Little House on the Prairie, fellow kids pinned him down and gave him noogies while knocking on his chest.
• Bateman, who joined the series at age 11 as James Cooper Ingalls in seasons 7 and 8, rejected a separate rumor that castmates told him his character had died.
• He recalled asking a makeup artist to paint a large bruise on his chest and then showing it to the other children’s parents, which he said got them in trouble.
• Melissa Gilbert reposted People’s coverage on Instagram and wrote that no one messes with her “little bro,” publicly backing Bateman after his story circulated.
• Past comments from former cast members Alison Arngrim and Matthew Labyorteaux described the set as protective and nurturing, highlighting contrasting recollections.