Patty Maloney, a versatile actress known for her role in “Little House on the Prairie” and as Chewbacca’s son Lumpy in the “Star Wars Holiday Special,” has passed away at the age of 89.
Her brother, Dave Myrabo, confirmed Maloney’s death on Monday, March 31, in Winter Park, Florida, where she was in hospice care following a history of strokes.
“For a little person growing up in a big world, she did everything she wanted to do,” Myrabo told The Hollywood Reporter.
Standing at 3 feet 11 inches, Maloney’s career in entertainment spanned four decades, covering television, film, and voice acting. She overcame significant challenges in an industry that often provided limited opportunities for little people.
Maloney’s career began with carnivals and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus before marrying Joseph Vitek in 1961. This early experience laid the groundwork for her future success in the entertainment field.
After Vitek’s death in 1968, Maloney returned to the industry, initially working as a puppeteer in “Fol-de-Pol,” a 1972 filmed version of a live puppet show by the Sid and Marty Krofft brothers. This marked the start of her extensive career in entertainment.
In the 1970s, she gained recognition for her role as Honk on the Sid & Marty Krofft family show “Far Out Space Nuts,” where she expressed emotions without dialogue.
“Her extensive dancing and mime skills enabled her to convey a full range of emotions for Honk without ever speaking a word of dialogue — and with her facial features utterly obscured,” noted Hal Erickson in his 2007 book about Saturday morning children’s television.
Science fiction fans remember her portrayal of Lumpy in the 1978 “Star Wars Holiday Special,” a production with cult status despite negative reviews. Though it aired only once, bootleg recordings have kept Maloney’s performance accessible to Star Wars fans.
Maloney’s television appearances included roles on popular shows such as “Charlie’s Angels,” “The Love Boat,” “Married… with Children,” and “My Name Is Earl.” She also appeared on the “Brady Bunch Variety Hour” and “Donny & Marie” variety series in the 1970s.
Her work extended to made-for-TV movies like “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” and “Punch and Jody,” highlighting her ability to perform in various formats. Maloney consistently brought a unique presence to each role.
Film audiences may recognize her from roles in “Ernest Saves Christmas,” “The Ice Pirates,” and “Swing Shift.” She frequently collaborated with fellow actor Billy Barty, including on “Under the Rainbow,” a film loosely based on “The Wizard of Oz.”
In animation, Maloney voiced characters in series such as “The Little Rascals,” where she voiced Darla Hood, and “Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School,” further showcasing her talents beyond physical performance.
Health challenges began for Maloney in 2010 with a diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), impacting her ability to read scripts. Despite this, she continued performing, including a one-woman show titled “I’m Right Tonight” in 2005.
Born in Perkinsville, New York, in 1936, Maloney grew up in Winter Park, Florida. She began her career as a dancer in Florida before working for National Airlines in New York, where she met her husband.
After losing both her husband and premature baby, friends encouraged her return to acting as a means to cope, leading to her successful career in entertainment.
Maloney is survived by her brother Dave, as well as nieces and a brother-in-law. Her long career has left a lasting impact on audiences across generations, from children’s programming to sci-fi classics.