Melissa Gilbert
American actress
Melissa Gilbert (born May 8, 1964) is an American actress and writer. She is famous for acting as Laura Ingalls Wilder in Little House on the Prairie (1974-1984). She has also acted in many other television programs and movies. Gilbert had two terms as president of the Screen Actors Guild. On June 9, 2009 her autobiography, Prairie Tale: A Memoir, was released.
Melissa Gilbert | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Gilbert after a shoot for the Partnership for a Drug-Free America in December 2010 | |
| 26th President of the Screen Actors Guild | |
| In office 15 October 2001 – 22 Feberary 2005 | |
| Preceded by | William Daniels |
| Succeeded by | Alan Rosenberg |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Melissa Ellen Gilbert May 8, 1964 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) |
Bo Brinkman
(m. 1988; div. 1992) |
| Children | 2; 3 stepchildren |
| Parents | Paul Gilbert Barbara Crane |
| Relatives | Jonathan Gilbert (brother) Sara Gilbert (sister) |
| Occupation | Actress, director, producer, politician |
| Website | melissa-gilbert |
Personal life
changeGilbert was born in Los Angeles. She was married to Bo Brinkman from 1988 until they divorced in 1992. She was married to Bruce Boxleitner from 1995 until they divorced in 2011. She married Timothy Busfield in 2013. They have two children.
Health issues
changeGilbert has battled alcoholism and drug abuse, which she wrote about in her 2009 autobiography.[1] In January 2015 Gilbert decided to have her breast implants surgically removed for health reasons.[2]
Honors
changeFor her contribution to the television industry, Gilbert has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6429 Hollywood Blvd in 1985. Her then-fiance, Rob Lowe, was with her when her star was unveiled. She is one of the youngest actresses to have been honored with a star.
2016 Congressional election
changeOn August 10, 2015, Gilbert announced her intentions to run for Michigan's 8th congressional district. She will be opposing Republican incumbent Mike Bishop.[3][4][5]
Career
changeMovies
change| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Circus, Lions, Tigers and Melissas Too | Self | |
| Christmas Miracle in Caufield, U.S.A. | Kelly Sullivan | TV movie | |
| 1979 | Nutcracker Fantasy | Clara | Voice |
| The Miracle Worker | Helen Keller | TV movie; Nominated for an Emmy Award | |
| 1980 | The Diary of Anne Frank | Anne Frank | TV movie |
| 1981 | Splendor in the Grass | Wilma Dean 'Deanie' Loomis | TV movie |
| 1983 | Choices of the Heart | Jean Donovan | TV movie |
| Little House: Look Back to Yesterday | Laura Ingalls Wilder | TV movie | |
| Little House: Bless All the Dear Children | Laura Ingalls Wilder | TV movie | |
| 1984 | Little House: The Last Farewell | Laura Ingalls Wilder | TV movie |
| Family Secrets | Sara Calloway | TV movie | |
| 1985 | Sylvester | Charlie | |
| 1986 | Drug Free Kids: A Parents' Guide | Self | Video |
| Choices | Terry Granger | TV movie | |
| The Penalty Phase | Leah Furman | TV movie | |
| 1987 | Blood Vows: The Story of a Mafia Wife | Marian | TV movie |
| 1988 | Killer Instinct | Dr. Lisa DaVito | TV movie |
| 1989 | Ice House | Kay | |
| 1990 | Without Her Consent | Emily Briggs | TV movie |
| Forbidden Nights | Judith Shapiro | TV movie | |
| Joshua's Heart | Claudia | TV movie | |
| Donor | Dr. Kristine Lipton | TV movie | |
| The Lookalike | Gina/Jennifer | TV movie | |
| 1992 | With a Vengeance | Janet King/Vanessa | TV movie |
| 1993 | Family of Strangers | Julie | TV movie |
| With Hostile Intent | Miranda Berkley | TV movie | |
| Shattered Trust: The Shari Karney Story | Shari Karney | TV movie | |
| House of Secrets | Marion Ravinel | TV movie | |
| Dying to Remember | Lynn Matthews | TV movie | |
| 1994 | The Babymaker: The Dr. Cecil Jacobson Story | Mary Bennett | TV movie |
| Against Her Will: The Carrie Buck Story | Melissa Prentice | TV movie | |
| Cries from the Heart | Karen | TV movie | |
| 1995 | Zoya | Zoya Ossipov | TV movie |
| 1996 | Christmas in My Hometown (a.k.a. A Holiday for Love) |
Emma Murphy | TV movie |
| 1997 | Seduction in a Small Town | Sarah Jenks | TV movie |
| Childhood Sweetheart? | Karen Carlson | TV movie | |
| 1998 | Her Own Rules | Meredith Sanders | TV movie |
| 1999 | Murder at 75 Birch | Gwen Todson | TV movie |
| The Soul Collector | Rebecca | TV movie | |
| Switched at Birth | Sarah Barlow | TV movie | |
| 2000 | A Vision of Murder: The Story of Donielle | Donielle | TV movie |
| 2001 | Sanctuary | Jo Ellen Hathaway | TV movie |
| 2003 | Hollywood Wives: The New Generation | Taylor Singer | TV movie |
| 2004 | Heart of the Storm | Cassie Broadbeck | TV movie |
| 2005 | Thicker Than Water | Natalie Jones | TV movie |
| 2007 | Sacrifices of the Heart originally titled Spring Thaw | Kate Weston/Anne Weston | TV movie |
| Safe Harbour | Ophelia | Direct-to-video | |
| 2011 | The Christmas Pageant | Vera Parks | TV movie |
Television
change| Year | Show | Role | Season # | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974–83 | Little House on the Prairie | Laura Ingalls Wilder | 1–9 | Two Young Artist Awards Nominated: Golden Globe Award |
| 1992 | Stand By Your Man | Rochelle Dumphy | 1 | |
| 1992–95 | Batman: The Animated Series | Barbara Gordon/Batgirl | 1 & 2 | Voice |
| 1994–95 | Sweet Justice | Kate Delacroy | 1 | |
| 2012 | Dancing with the Stars | Herself / contestant | 14 | Finished in 5th place |
| Year | Show | Role | Season | Episode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Gunsmoke | Spratt's Child | 18 | 4: "The Judgement" | |
| Emergency! | Jenny | 2 | 10: "Dinner Date" | ||
| 1978 | The Love Boat | Rocky | 2 | 3: "Julie's Dilemma/Who's Who/Rocky" | |
| 1985 | Faerie Tale Theatre | Gerda | 4 | 2: "The Snow Queen" | |
| 1991 | The Hidden Room | 1 | 4: "Spirit Cabinet" | ||
| 1996 | Babylon 5 | Anna Sheridan | 3 | 17: "War Without End: Part 2" 21: "Shadow Dancing" 22: "Z'ha'dum" |
|
| 1998 | The Outer Limits | Teresa Janovitch | 4 | 6: "Relativity Theory" | |
| Touched by an Angel | Michelle Tanner | 5 | 10: "The Peacemaker" | ||
| 2002 | Providence | Lorna Berlin | 4 | 21: "Smoke and Mirrors" | |
| Presidio Med | Grace Bennett | 1 | 7: "Once Upon a Family" | ||
| 2005 | 7th Heaven | Marie Wagner | 9 | 18: "Honor Thy Mother" | |
| 2006 | Nip/Tuck | Shari Noble | 4 | 4: "Shari Noble" | |
| 2009 | Chelsea Lately | Herself | 3 | 131: "Chelsea Lately" | |
| 2010 | The Talk | Herself / guest | 1 | Episode 29 |
References
change- ↑ "I Drank Three Bottles of Wine a Night". momlogic.com. June 22, 2009. Archived from the original on June 25, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
- ↑ Rothman, Michael (January 8, 2015). "Why Melissa Gilbert Had Her Breast Implants Removed". Good Morning America. ABC News. Retrieved 2015-01-29.
- ↑ Spangler, Todd (10 August 2015). "Actress Melissa Gilbert running for Congress in Michigan". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
- ↑ Pael, Wayne (10 August 2015). "Actress Melissa Gilbert announces run for Congress". Livingston Daily. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
- ↑ Oosting, Jonathan (August 10, 2015). "Melissa Gilbert of 'Little House' fame running for Michigan seat in U.S. House". MLive.com. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
Other websites
changeWikimedia Commons has media related to Melissa Gilbert.
- Official personal website Archived 2019-09-30 at the Wayback Machine
- Official campaign website
- Melissa Gilbert on IMDb