Melissa Gilbert, known for playing Laura Ingalls, has responded to Megyn Kelly’s criticism of Netflix’s upcoming Little House on the Prairie reboot.
After Netflix announced the new series on Wednesday, Kelly, a former Fox News host and now a podcaster, took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice her frustration. She warned Netflix, saying, “If you make Little House on the Prairie too ‘woke,’ I will do everything I can to ruin your project.”
Melissa Gilbert Biography
Melissa Ellen Gilbert, born on May 8, 1964, is an American actress who started her career as a child in the late 1960s, appearing in TV commercials and guest roles. From 1974 to 1983, she became widely known for playing Laura Ingalls Wilder, the daughter of Charles Ingalls (played by Michael Landon) on the popular NBC series Little House on the Prairie.
During her time on Little House, she also acted in several TV movies, including The Diary of Anne Frank (1980) and The Miracle Worker (1979). As she grew older, she continued acting, mainly in television films. From 2009 to 2010, she played Caroline “Ma” Ingalls in the stage production Little House on the Prairie, the Musical. In 2012, she competed on Dancing with the Stars during its 14th season on ABC.
Gilbert also served as president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) from 2001 to 2005. In 2016, she briefly ran for U.S. Congress but later withdrew from the race. In addition to acting, she has written several memoirs, a children’s book, and a cookbook.
| Full Name | Melissa Ellen Gilbert |
| Profession(s) | Actress, Author, Producer |
| Date of Birth | May 8, 1964 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 60 Years |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Zodiac sign | Taurus |
| Nationality | American |
| Hometown | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Education | Attended The Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, California |
| Married Status | Married |
| Spouse | Timothy Busfield (m. 2013); previously married to Bo Brinkman (1988–1994) and Bruce Boxleitner (1995–2011) |
| Children | Two sons, Dakota Brinkman and Michael Boxleitner |
| Net Worth | Approximately $500,000 |
| Social Media | Instagram – Facebook |
Early Life and Family
Melissa Gilbert was born on May 8, 1964, in Los Angeles, California. Her biological parents, Kathy Wood, and David Darlington, placed her for adoption right after birth. The next day, she was adopted by actor and comedian Paul Gilbert and his wife, Barbara Crane, a dancer and actress. The couple later adopted a son, Jonathan Gilbert, who also appeared on Little House on the Prairie.
When Melissa was six years old, her parents divorced. Her mother later married attorney Harold Abeles, and they had a daughter, Sara Rebecca Abeles (now known as actress Sara Gilbert) on January 29, 1975.
On February 13, 1976, when Melissa was 11, her adoptive father, Paul Gilbert, passed away. She was told he had suffered a stroke, but later learned he had been struggling with chronic pain and took his own life. Her mother’s second marriage also ended in divorce.
Melissa was raised in her mother’s Jewish faith but did not have formal religious education or a conversion ceremony.
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Career
Melissa Gilbert started her career in TV commercials, including one for Alpo dog food with Lorne Greene. She attended school with Leslie Landon, who told her she had won the role of Laura Ingalls Wilder on Little House on the Prairie, beating over 500 child actresses. The pilot aired in 1973 and was a success, leading to the full series in 1974.
Gilbert became very close to Michael Landon and his family after her adoptive father passed away. However, their relationship grew distant after Landon’s affair with a makeup artist was revealed. They reconnected when Landon was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and she visited him shortly before he passed in 1991. Later, she named her son Michael in his honor.
After Little House, Gilbert continued acting, mainly in TV movies. She played Jean Donovan in Choices of the Heart (1983), voiced Batgirl in Batman: The Animated Series, and appeared in Babylon 5 with her then-husband Bruce Boxleitner. In 1998, she was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame. She also starred in Nip/Tuck and played “Ma” Ingalls in the Little House on the Prairie musical from 2008 to 2010.
In 2012, she joined Dancing with the Stars (Season 14) with Maksim Chmerkovskiy. During a performance, she fell, hit her head, and suffered a mild concussion, but she recovered and continued before being eliminated in week eight.
From 2001 to 2005, she was president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). In 2016, she ran for U.S. Congress in Michigan but later dropped out due to health reasons.
In 2022, she launched a lifestyle app for women called Modern Prairie.
Personal Life and Relationships
Melissa Gilbert has been in the public eye not just for her career but also for her personal life. She was first married to actor Bo Brinkman from 1988 to 1994, and they had a son, Dakota Brinkman. In 1995, she married actor Bruce Boxleitner, and they had a son, Michael Boxleitner. Their marriage ended in 2011.
In 2013, Gilbert married actor Timothy Busfield, and they now live in the Catskill Mountains, New York, enjoying a peaceful, rural life.
Over the years, Gilbert has been open about her struggles with addiction and health issues. Her honesty about these challenges has made her even more admired by fans, who appreciate her strength and authenticity.
Net Worth
Melissa Gilbert has built a successful career in acting, writing, and public service. Her estimated net worth is around $500,000. She earned most of her wealth from her work on Little House on the Prairie, TV movies, and book sales.
Gilbert stands at 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm) tall and weighs approximately 125 lbs (57 kg).
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