Melissa Gilbert: 6 things you need to know about the Little House on the Prairie star

10/07/2023

Playing the iconic Laura Ingalls in the classic TV show Little House on the Prairie, Melissa Gilbert is a very popular actress among several generations of fans. Discover six fun facts you may not have known about her.

Melissa Gilbert was 3 years old in her first role
Melissa Gilbert was 3 years old in her first role

Melissa Gilbert is a child star. At the age of 9 when the pilot episode of Little House on the Prairie was filmed, she really grew up in front of the cameras. But before bringing Laura Ingalls to life, the actress had appeared in a few films and series. She got her very first role at the age of 3 in the film The Reluctant Astronaut, released in 1967.

Melissa Gilbert has famous siblings
Melissa Gilbert has famous siblings

Melissa Gilbert was adopted at birth by actor Paul Gilbert and his wife Barbara Crane, who was also an actress. The couple later adopted a son, Jonathan Gilbert, who plays Willie Oleson in the TV show Little House on the Prairie. Following Paul Gilbert and Barbara Crane's divorce, the latter remarried lawyer Harold Abeles, and together they had a daughter named Sara Gilbert. Also an actress, she is best known for her roles as Darlene Conner in Roseanne and Leslie Winkle in The Big Bang Theory.

Melissa Gilbert was chosen among 500 actresses to play Laura Ingalls
Melissa Gilbert was chosen among 500 actresses to play Laura Ingalls

Based on the novels by the real-life Laura Ingalls Wilder, who drew inspiration from her own story, the series Little House on the Prairie enabled Melissa Gilbert to stardom through her role as Laura Ingalls. A character for which nearly 500 young girls auditioned in total! Among the applicants was Alison Arngrim, who was eventually chosen to portray Nellie Oleson in the classic show.

Melissa Gilbert and Alison Arngrim are friends in real life
Melissa Gilbert and Alison Arngrim are friends in real life

Although they play sworn enemies Laura Ingalls and Nellie Oleson in Little House on the Prairie, actresses Melissa Gilbert and Alison Arngrim are close pals off-camera. They became friends on the set of the classic TV show and still remain very close to this day, as they have both stated on multiple occasions.

Melissa Gilbert is the youngest actress ever to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Melissa Gilbert is the youngest actress ever to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Melissa Gilbert, who had become a true icon of American television, was awarded her star on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame in 1985, two years after the end of Little House on the Prairie. At the age of 21, the star became the youngest actress ever to receive this honor.

Melissa Gilbert played Batgirl in the animated series Batman
Melissa Gilbert played Batgirl in the animated series Batman

From 1992 to 1994, Melissa Gilbert voiced the character of Barbara Gordon/Batgirl in the classic animated series Batman. The cast also includes Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Loren Lester as Dick Grayson/Robin, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Bob Hastings and Robert Costanzo.

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