Little House on the Prairie NBC TV Cast Information
Born May 8th, 1964 in Los Angeles, Melissa was
adopted by actor parents Paul Gilbert and Barbara Crane when she was
only a day old.
She lost out on a part in the remake of “Miracle on 34th Street” but
two weeks later, landed the role that was to make her
internationally famous, Laura Ingalls in “Little House on the
Prairie”. Her brother, Jonathan, (an actor as well) played the role
of Willie Oleson in the series.
After “Little House” went off the air, she took time for her college
studies but still made headlines by dating people such as Tom Cruise
and Rob Lowe.
She married actor Bo Brinkman in 1988 with whom she has a son called
Cody. Three years after her divorce in 1992, she married another
famous TV actor, Bruce Boxleitner, with whom she has a son called
Michael Garrett, named for actor Michael Landon as well as a family
friend.
The youngest person to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,
Melissa went on to star in and direct many productions. A recent TV
biography entitled “Melissa Gilbert: Beyond the Prairie” talks about
her life after “Little House”.
Melissa was the President of the Screen Actors Guild for two terms.
In 2009, Melissa published the book, "A Prairie Tale" and starred as "Ma" in "Little House: The Musical" and is currently working on a "Little House" coffee cup book.
To keep up with Melissa and her career visit her wonderful website at the following: http://www.melissa-gilbert.com/
Did you know?
Melissa is the youngest person ever to receive a star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Granddaughter of Harry Crane.
Goddaughter of Charlie Brill (Silk Stalkings).
Dated Tom Cruise when both were teenagers.
