Rachel Lindsay and Sidney Robyn Greenbush at the Little House 50th Anniversary Celebration in Simi Valley
Early Life and Entry into Acting
Rachel Lindsay Rene Bush and Sidney Robyn Danae Bush were born on May 25, 1970 in Hollywood, California to successful model Carole Kay Campbell, and actor Billy Green Bush. Rachel was born first, and Sidney came as a surprise—their parents hadn’t known they were having twins before the delivery.
Rachel and Sidney’s family life introduced them to the entertainment industry early, with the twins beginning their acting careers at the age of three. They landed their first role after their father’s friend, Milt Kogan, happened to be in his agent’s office when a call came in searching for 2.5-year-old twin girls. It was Kogan who jumped in and said, “Billy Green Bush has twin girls around that age. He is in this casting office; you should give him a call to see if he is interested.” Rachel and Sidney then met with director Joseph Sargent, and got the role of Jill Hayden in Sunshine.
Photo courtesy of Rachel Greenbush
The meeting went well, and the twins were offered the role of Carrie Ingalls. Casting twins as a single young character was a common practice at the time, allowing productions to maintain busy filming schedules while complying with California’s child labor regulations.
Bringing Carrie Ingalls to Life
The Greenbush twins shared the role of Carrie Ingalls for eight seasons, from the series’ premiere in September 1974 through 1982. The two actresses were initially credited together as “Lindsay Sidney Greenbush” in the show’s opening sequence, which created a false perception that the character was portrayed by a single performer. “When we started doing ‘Little House on the Prairie,’ the two names got smushed together,” Rachel (Lindsay) explained on the Little House Fifty for 50 Podcast. “So instead of Lindsay and Sidney, it became Lindsay Sidney. I still have people thinking it was just one person.”[1] In addition, their last name was also edited to be Greenbush, rather than Green Bush—a decision that ended up shaping their stage names to this day.
LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE. Rachel and Sidney Greenbush. Photo by: NBCU Photo Bank
While filming for the show’s opening sequence, Sidney fell while running down the hill after their on-screen sisters. She was asked to do it again, but was too scared. Rachel was asked to try instead, but Sidney’s fall had spooked her too. “Neither one of us would do it again, so it was the only footage they had to work with,” Sidney explained in a 2009 interview. Rachel did however film a part of the opening sequence: “Michael said he just needed a couple more seconds of film,” Rachel shared, “so I wouldn’t have to run down the steep part of the hill, just over the rounding at the top. My Mom hid in the weeds with me at the top of the hill. When Michael said action, I just had to run about 10 or 15 feet and stop by the side of the camera, just out of frame. Michael was waiting to catch me beside the camera. When you watch the opening, the first short clip is me and the second longer clip is Sidney, taking the tumble.” After reviewing the footage, producers decided to keep the fall in, creating a moment of television history.[2]
Both Rachel Lindsay and Sidney have fond memories of filming “Little House on the Prairie.” In an interview with Cozi TV, Rachel shared that one of her favorite scenes to film took place in the Season One episode Ma’s Holiday in which Mr. Edwards displays his unconventional approach to babysitting, nailing Carrie to the roof while he did some roof work. “I remember them putting a safety belt underneath my dress,” she recalled. “Victor made it fun, so it was never scary.”[3]
Although Carrie had a smaller role compared to her on-screen siblings Laura and Mary, the twins shone in Season Five’s The Godsister, an episode that allowed them to appear on screen together for the first time as Carrie and her imaginary friend, Alyssa. Fans still hold this episode close to their hearts as it gave a rare spotlight to the young Ingalls daughter.[4]
As the girls grew, “Little House on the Prairie” underwent major changes. The twins’ final appearance on the show at age 11 aired on May 10, 1982. Their absence was explained in the storyline by having the Ingalls family (except for Laura) move to Burr Oak, Iowa, to seek a better life. The final episodes and television movies featured a smaller cast, with new characters introduced to carry the show’s plot forward.
Rachel and Sidney have expressed their gratitude for Laura Ingalls Wilder and her legacy. Rachel now shares “Little House on the Prairie” with her grandchildren, who didn’t know she had been on the show until they were about 8 or 9 years of age. They ask to watch it with her whenever they come to visit—even all these years later, Little House is still bringing families together, and creating special heartfelt memories. Sidney shares the sentiment, “Laura’s legacy is really based in love.”
Life After Little House
Following their time on “Little House on the Prairie”, the Greenbush twins explored separate paths in the entertainment industry. Rachel guest-starred in Matt Houston in 1983 while Sidney took on the role of Amy McVickers in Hambone and Hillie (1983), where she co-starred with Alan Hale, Jr., who played the Skipper on Gilligan’s Island. To this day, Sidney has very fond memories of working on that set. They also appeared in commercials for major brands, including Doublemint gum, Mattel Toys, and Kentucky Fried Chicken.[6][7][8]
As they grew older, both sisters decided to step away from professional acting and focus on their education and other interests. They both fell in love with horses at the age of thirteen, and dreamt of riding on the US Olympic Show Jumping Team. That dream pulled Rachel away from auditioning for roles in the entertainment industry.
While at Santa Monica High School, Sidney appeared in an adaptation of the Charles Dickens play “The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby”. Most of the cast played multiple roles, with Sidney playing three separate characters. The Greenbush twins graduated from Santa Monica High School in 1988, with Rachel later earning a degree in accountancy from California State Lutheran University. Sidney rode for the Pierce College Rodeo Team in Woodland Hills, California, which ultimately led to her career in Women’s Pro Rodeo.
Sidney (left) and Rachel (right) ride horses with their father and brother on the ranch where they grew up. Photo courtesy of Rachel Greenbush.
Rachel pursued various interests, including amateur boxing and working as a groom for horse trainers Chuy and Kelly Lopez. She joined castmate Alison Arngrim on the board of Paul Peterson’s non-profit organization, A Minor Consideration. Serving as Treasurer for several years. In 2014, she married Daniel Sanchez, whom she first met as a child on the Little House set. Daniel was a local teenager who lived nearby and would visit the set to watch the show film with Michael Landon’s permission. Decades later, Rachel and Daniel reconnected, and in July 2014, they got married under the same oak tree where they originally met decades earlier.[9]
Rachel and Daniel's wedding under the oak tree beside Plum Creek. Photo courtesy of Rachel Greenbush.
Sidney has remained active in the equestrian community, participating in competitions and launching her own line of designer jewelry.
Celebrating 50 Years of “Little House on the Prairie”
The Greenbush twins have remained engaged with the enduring legacy of “Little House on the Prairie.” On the Little House Fifty for 50 podcast, costars Dean Butler and Alison Arngrim suggested that Rachel was instrumental in pushing for an event for the 50th anniversary in Simi Valley.[10]
From left to right: Wendi Lou Lee, Charlotte Yerke, Dean Butler, Ketty Lester, Charlotte Stewart, photo of Kent McCray, Alison Arngrim, Rachel Greenbush, Michelle and Jennifer Steffin, Dave Friedman, Patrick Labyorteaux, Pamela Roylance, and Jennifer Donati. Photo courtesy of Devon Flud.
In addition, both Rachel and Sidney have attended multiple cast events and fan conventions, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and reminiscing with fans about their time on the series. Their involvement in these celebrations demonstrates the lasting impact of Little House, a show that continues to resonate across generations.
[1] A Young Original with Lindsay Greenbush: Fifty for 50 podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-young-original-with-lindsay-greenbush/id1724892446?i=1000652155884
[2] SOUP’S ON: Sidney Greenbush in the Kitchen Interview! https://jamarattigan.com/2009/07/06/soups-on-sidney-greenbush-in-the-kitchen-interview/
[3] Cast Interviews: Rachel and Sidney Greenbush (Cozi TV): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVaKFyVx3hQ
[4] IMDb Little House on the Prairie Season 5 Episode 14, The Godsister https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0633091/
[5] Rachel Lindsay and Sidney Robyn Greenbush talk about Laura’s Legacy (2007 Little House on the Prairie Season 9 DVD collection extra) https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=586328174212230
[6] IMDb Rachel Lindsay Greenbush https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0338645/
[7] IMDb Sidney Greenbush https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0124201/
[8] Little House on the Prairie Cast: Where Are They Now? People Magazine https://people.com/little-house-on-the-prairie-cast-where-are-they-now-8603014
[9] Home & Family’s “Little House Reunion” – A Wedding Story. Hallmark Channel https://youtu.be/7a0ARUWNzEA?feature=shared
[10] A Young Original with Lindsay Greenbush: Fifty for 50 podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-young-original-with-lindsay-greenbush/id1724892446?i=1000652155884
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I never missed an episode of Little House. I remember all the characters and it has been a joy to see how they changed down through the years . I hope to see more of them in the future.