What happened to Melissa Gilbert who played Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie?

Whether you’re a die-hard Little House on the Prairie fan, an avid viewer, or a casual watcher of Michael Landon’s famous 1974 series, you know it!

American actress Melissa Gilbert, who portrayed the main character Laura Ingalls, undoubtedly remains one of the most recognizable faces of this memorable family show that marked television history for almost a decade.

From the series pilot to the final episode, little Melissa (when she was 9 years old when she first put on a dress and tied Laura’s ribbon) has had dozens and dozens of memorable adventures in Walnut Grove.

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The unforgettable Laura Ingalls

Between his rivalry with Nellie Oleson (played by Alison Arngrim, who remains one of his great friends), four hundred strokes with his brother Albert, deep and inspired discussions with his parents Charles and Caroline, or his unforgettable romance with Almanzo. It is difficult to recall only a few of his adventures.

As Little House on the Prairie celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, do you know what happened to Laura’s translator? Only 19 years old when the series ended (in 1983), Melissa Gilbert continued her acting career.

In 1980, three years before the end of Little House, he played the lead role in the TV movie Diary of Anne FrankThen Miracle in Alabama, which centers on the life of Helen Keller, a little girl who is deaf, mute and blind. This major challenge earned him an Emmy Award.

Career in television…

Even if she never found a role as legendary or as amazing as Laura on Little House on the Prairie, Melissa Gilbert still tried her luck with series like Stand By Your Man in 1992 and Law of New Orleans in 1994. The two projects, unfortunately, remained quite confidential.

While appearing in dozens of other TV movies, she also appears in more famous shows such as the animated series Batman (in which she voices Barbara Gordon, aka Batgol), the sci-fi series Babylon 5, or as a guest. Star in 7 Home and Nip/Tuck.

… but not only that!

But Melissa Gilbert’s career is not limited to television. Politically involved, he chaired the Screen Actors Guild from 2001 to 2005 and in 2015 attempted to enter the House of Representatives as a Democratic candidate.

In 2009, when she returned to the world of Walnut Grove, this time with the role of Caroline Ingalls (Laura’s mother) in a musical comedy based on Little House on the Prairie, Melissa Gilbert also published her autobiography: the work titled. Prairie Tale: A MemoirIn which he recounts his memories of the shoot, but also reveals his years-long struggle with alcoholism and drugs.

Three years later, he took part in the show dancing with the stars. Now 59, he continues to meet fans of the series that made him famous at various festivals and conventions.

(Re)discover our interview with Alison Arngrim, who played Nellie Oleson…