Brian Part

Brian Part (born March 24, 1962, in Los Angeles, California) is an American former child actor best known for his recurring role as Carl Sanderson Edwards, the adopted son of the character Mr. Edwards (played by Victor French), on the NBC television series Little House on the Prairie.^[1]^[2] Part began his acting career in the mid-1970s, appearing in several television episodes and films during his childhood. His notable television work includes guest roles on Knots Landing (1981) as Jamie, Eight Is Enough (1981), and Project U.F.O. (1979).^[1] In film, he starred as Kevin Costello in Herbert Ross's Max Dugan Returns (1983) alongside Marsha Mason and Jason Robards, played a role in the Disney adventure Return from Witch Mountain (1978), and appeared in the drama Birch Interval (1976).^[1]^[3] These performances established Part as a familiar face in family-oriented entertainment of the era, though his on-screen appearances largely concluded by the early 1980s. After concluding his acting career in the early 1980s, Part transitioned to music, writing and performing with his wife, Melody Part.^[1]

Early life and education

Family background

Brian Part was born on March 24, 1962, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in the Mission Hills neighborhood.^[4]

Education

Part attended John F. Kennedy High School in Los Angeles during his teenage years in the late 1970s, graduating around that period while managing his early acting schedule.^[5] As a child actor appearing on Little House on the Prairie from 1975 to 1977, he balanced formal schooling with on-set education mandated by California law, which required minors to complete at least three hours of instruction daily during production.^[6] This structured setup, often described by castmates as a "glorified study hall" where actors brought assignments from their regular schools, allowed Part to maintain academic progress amid filming commitments that included a typical nine-hour day split between work, lessons, rest, and meals.^[6] Producer Michael Landon enforced these rules to ensure a supportive environment for young performers.^[7] Following high school, Part studied at College of the Canyons, though details on specific coursework or degree completion remain limited in public records. His educational experiences during the 1970s likely influenced his career choices by providing stability amid the demands of child acting, with family support enabling him to pursue both academics and professional opportunities.^[4]

Acting career

Beginnings in acting

Brian Part entered the entertainment industry as a child actor in Hollywood during the early 1970s, beginning his professional journey with minor television roles that showcased his talent amid the competitive landscape of youth casting. His first credited appearance came in 1975 at age 13, playing Brad Hailey in the episode "Collision" of the NBC drama series Lucas Tanner, where he depicted one of four orphaned siblings grappling with separation following their parents' fatal car accident.^[8] This debut role highlighted the emotional depth required of young performers in period dramas of the era. Building on this initial exposure, Part quickly secured additional guest spots that same year, demonstrating his versatility in family-oriented programming. He portrayed Melvin Graddy, a classmate, in the season 4 episode "The Prophecy" of The Waltons, a popular CBS series set in rural Virginia during World War II. Shortly thereafter, he appeared as Dugger in "The Secret Life of T.K. Dearing," an installment of the ABC Afterschool Special anthology, which addressed themes of adolescent friendship and loss.^[9] These early gigs involved rigorous auditions typical of 1970s child acting, where agents scouted talent for episodic television, often requiring young actors to balance school with long hours on set under strict labor regulations like the Coogan Law to protect minors' earnings. As a newcomer in Hollywood's bustling child actor scene, Part experienced the demands of the industry, including frequent callbacks and the need to adapt to diverse roles while maintaining focus amid the glamour and pressures of studio lots. These foundational steps in 1975 paved the way for more substantial opportunities, reflecting the era's emphasis on wholesome, character-driven narratives that favored relatable young talent.

Role on Little House on the Prairie

Brian Part was cast in the role of Carl Sanderson Edwards, the young adopted son of Isaiah Edwards, portrayed by Victor French, beginning in the second season of Little House on the Prairie in 1975.^[1]^[10] Part appeared in 18 episodes across seasons 2 and 3, from 1975 to 1977, with his character introduced in the two-part episode "Remember Me," where Carl and his siblings, following the death of their mother Julia Sanderson (played by Patricia Neal), are taken in and adopted by the widowed Mr. Edwards after he promises their dying parent to care for them.^[1]^[11] This storyline highlighted themes of loss, resilience, and makeshift family bonds in the frontier setting, as Carl navigated his new life in Walnut Grove. Throughout his tenure, Carl's arc focused on family integration and personal growth, evolving from a grieving orphan to a spirited member of the Edwards household alongside his adoptive sister Alicia (Kyle Richards) and later stepsister Grace (Bonnie Bartlett). Key episodes showcased this development, such as "The Runaway Caboose," where Carl joins Mary and Laura Ingalls in a perilous train adventure that tests sibling-like camaraderie and quick thinking, and "Gold Country," the season 3 finale marking his last appearance as a regular, emphasizing the Edwards family's communal support during a gold rush scheme gone awry.^[12]^[13] These narratives portrayed Carl as resourceful and affectionate, contributing to the series' portrayal of extended family dynamics amid hardship. On set, Part formed notable connections with key figures, including series creator and star Michael Landon, who directed several episodes featuring Carl, and Victor French, whose portrayal of the gruff yet loving Mr. Edwards provided a paternal anchor for the young actor. Part has highlighted positive on-set dynamics, citing "The Runaway Caboose" as his favorite episode for its adventurous spirit and collaborative energy among the child cast.^[12] The role profoundly shaped Part's early career and personal outlook, offering a nurturing environment during his formative years as a child performer and fostering a lasting affinity for the series' values of community and perseverance; he has continued to engage with its legacy, participating in official events like the 2024 50th anniversary cast reunion.^[14]

Other acting roles

In addition to his prominent role on Little House on the Prairie, Brian Part appeared in several guest spots on television during the 1970s and early 1980s. His early television work included portraying Brad Hailey in the episode "Collision" of Lucas Tanner in 1975.^[8] That same year, he played Melvin Graddy in "The Prophecy," an episode of The Waltons, and Dugger in "The Secret Life of T.K. Dearing," part of the ABC Afterschool Special series.^[9] Part continued with guest appearances in science fiction and family dramas later in the decade. In 1979, he appeared as Sam Robbins in the episode "Sighting 4024: The Scoutmaster Incident" of Project U.F.O.. By the early 1980s, he featured as a friend in the Eight Is Enough episode "Vows" (1981) and as Jamie in an episode of Knots Landing that year.^[15] On the big screen, Part took on supporting roles in family-oriented films. He played Samuel in Birch Interval (1976), a drama about a runaway girl finding refuge with a rural family. In 1978, he appeared as Goon #1 in the Disney adventure Return from Witch Mountain, a sequel involving psychic children battling villains. His final acting credit came in 1983 as Kevin Costello in Max Dugan Returns, a comedy-drama directed by Herbert Ross about an estranged father reconnecting with his family.^[16] Part retired from acting following this role, marking the end of his on-screen career spanning nearly a decade.^[1]

Music career

Transition to music

After concluding his acting career with the role of Kevin Costello in the 1983 film Max Dugan Returns, Brian Part retired from the industry at age 21. He then shifted his focus to music as a new creative pursuit.^[1] Part's initial foray into music occurred in the 1980s, where he formed a band and began developing his skills through performance and composition.^[1] By the 1990s, he was actively touring and recording, marking a sustained commitment to music as his primary outlet for artistic expression.^[1]

Notable performances and recordings

After leaving acting in 1983, Part formed a band and pursued a career in music, including touring and recording compact discs.^[17] He has collaborated musically with his wife, Melody Part, writing and performing original songs together, though specific album titles and release years remain undocumented in public records.^[2] Live performances from the 1990s and 2000s are noted in fan discussions, often at local venues, but detailed tour information or setlists are scarce, reflecting limited media coverage of his post-acting endeavors. In March 2024, Part and his wife performed a musical concert as part of the Little House on the Prairie 50th anniversary events.^[18]^[19]

Personal life

Family

Brian Part is married to Melody Part.^[1] The couple collaborates professionally in music, writing and performing original songs together.^[2] They have appeared in joint live performances, such as a concert presented by Brightstar Performing Arts in 2024.^[18] Part and his wife reside in Escondido, California, where they maintain a family-oriented life.^[20]

Later activities

After transitioning from his earlier pursuits in acting and music, Brian Part has dedicated significant time to youth sports coaching. As of November 2025, the 63-year-old former actor serves as head coach of the girls' varsity basketball team, known as the Roadrunners, at Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences in Santa Monica, California.^[21]^[1] Part began coaching the team ahead of the 2024-2025 season, bringing his experience to guide young athletes in the competitive CIF Southern Section.^[22] In his second season with the Roadrunners during 2025-2026, he works alongside assistant coaches including Rashied Weeks and Jaelyn Royal, emphasizing team development and performance in league play.^[23]^[24] This role reflects Part's ongoing engagement in community and educational activities in the Los Angeles area, where he contributes to the school's athletic program focused on arts-integrated learning.