Melissa Gilbert, a beloved actress, producer, and advocate, has made an indelible impression on the entertainment business by her talent, perseverance, and commitment to her work.
Melissa was born on May 8, 1964, in Los Angeles, California, and her rise to popularity is marked by early success, personal problems, and a career that has changed and matured with time.
Her legacy extends beyond her iconic portrayal as Laura Ingalls Wilder in the beloved television series “Little House on the Prairie” to her activism for different causes and her lasting impact on the entertainment industry.
Melissa Gilbert’s career began at the age of nine, when she was cast as Laura Ingalls Wilder in “Little House on the Prairie”. Her portrayal of the passionate young pioneer captivated audiences all over the world and cemented her place in popular culture.
The show’s enormous popularity, combined with Melissa’s amazing performance, garnered her two Emmy Award nominations, demonstrating her remarkable talent from a young age.
Melissa Gilbert’s acting career has included a variety of projects in addition to her renowned part on “Little House on the Prairie,” including television movies, stage performances, and film.
Her passion to her work has gained her critical acclaim and recognition across multiple disciplines. Melissa has now entered the world of production, displaying her dedication to telling important and compelling stories. Her resilience and ability to adapt as an actress have earned her acclaim in the entertainment business.
Melissa Gilbert has been a strong champion for a number of significant causes in addition to her acting profession. She has utilized her platform to promote causes such as AIDS research, adoption, and children’s welfare.
Her philanthropic efforts have gained her praise and prominence as a champion of social problems. Melissa’s diversified career, combined with her commitment to make a beneficial impact on society, has secured her place as a popular person in both the entertainment world and the realm of advocacy.
It’s unusual to watch a child star mature into an adult, watching their job while we practically track their personal lives.
Many children in Hollywood are simply a flash in the pan; they make their debut in a hit film or television series, only to see their popularity swiftly fade. They typically end up working’regular’ jobs, even if they are occasionally recognized for their role.
Others, however, have fulfilled their full star potential. You know the type: the kids who create an impression with their initial performance and then build from there.
Melissa Gilbert clearly falls under the second category.
Melissa first appeared as Laura Ingalls Wilder in the big hit Little House on the Prairie in 1974, when she was nine years old.
Her casting was stunning, but she had no clue it would propel her to the heights of popularity and recognition. Neither did they predict the show’s global reach and popularity.
Little House on the Prairie, starring Michael Landon and Karen Grassle, aired for nine seasons and propelled the young Melissa Gilbert to heights she could never have imagined.
Melissa was barely a child when she landed her classic role as Laura Ingalls Wilder in Little House on the Prairie. She grew up on set between the ages of eight and 18, and the experience had a lasting impact on her life, providing her with a father figure in the form of her on-screen father, Michael Landon.
“I’ve always loved my job,” she told Parade. “I had a great time on the set of Little House on the Prairie. It was a delightful and amazing environment to grow up if you were a child performer.”
To all professionals in the film, television, theatre, entertainment and arts world, join the challenge to post a photo of you in your job. Just a picture, no description. The goal is to flood social media with our profession. Copy the text and post a pic #SaveTheArts pic.twitter.com/IglyIQTSYV
— Melissa Gilbert (@MEGBusfield) July 7, 2020
While fans will always remember her as Laura, her Hollywood career did not stop with Little House on the Prairie. She went on to star in television films such as The Diary of Anne Frank and The Miracle Worker, was President of the Screen Actors Guild from 2001 to 2005, finished fifth on Dancing with the Stars, and ran for Congress in Michigan’s 8th congressional district in 2016, winning the Democratic primary but withdrawing due to health issues.
Indeed, the actress, now 58, has recently relocated from Los Angeles to the Catskill Mountains in New York in search of calm, tranquillity, and better introspection.
Gilbert has mentioned in recent interviews that it took a lot of elbow grease to fix up the old house she and her husband moved into. “It had no heat, and the plumbing was kind of wonky,” she explained to Fox News. “It was as if the people had just wrapped up and left the house, and it had sat like that for decades.”
“When we walked in the front door — I’ve smelled musty places, [but] I’ve never smelled anything like the smell that came from this house,” she explained to Next Avenue. “It was completely overwhelming.”
“But… the longer we stood in that musty, stinky, crowded place, the more I saw past all of that, and realized that this place had the potential to be something incredibly special,” she continued.
The Aging Process
Melissa also recently claimed that she is tired of fighting nature and the aging process.
“I grew up in an industry that values the outside much more than the inside, and I got caught in the hamster wheel of trying to stay young.”
Melissa underwent a series of Botox, filler, and breast implant procedures over the years in an attempt to resist aging naturally.
This was not unusual in Hollywood, a city renowned for putting aesthetic filters to practically everything. According to accounts, Melissa’s first experience with cosmetic sᴜʀɢᴇʀʏ came after she worked on the 1981 television film Splendor in the Grass.
During her time on set, the makeup crew darkened her nose to make it appear narrower. Melissa was left with the feeling that she needed to have her body modified in order to execute certain parts properly.
Years of experimentation with various types of cosmetic sᴜʀɢᴇʀʏ , including a breast implant procedure and Botox, ensued.
Melissa, on the other hand, quickly realized that the person she was developing into was not herself.
“It was a red carpet for the season 4 premiere of Nip/Tuck, and I was all dressed up,” she revealed. And it was the peak of all the fillers in the Botox, and my hair was extremely colored. And that threw me for a loop because I was looking at myself, wondering, “Who is that person?” That is not who I am.”
Melissa had sᴜʀɢᴇʀʏ to remove her breast implants in 2015. “One of the smartest things I’ve ever done,” she stated. “I shaved off all my hair and stopped getting botox and other cosmetic procedures. I’m enjoying all of the changes, as well as seeing what’s going on and getting to know this new person.”
