A complete generation of television audiences nostalgically recalls Little House on the Prairie, the iconic drama series that chronicles the experiences of the Ingalls family during the late 19th century.
Featuring a large ensemble of unforgettable characters and performances, the series frequently prompts viewers to ponder the question, “what are they doing now?”
Melissa Sue Anderson, who portrayed Mary Ingalls in the series, is among those actors who stepped away from the entertainment industry. She has recently disclosed her reasons for departing from Hollywood and stepping out of the limelight.
Melissa Sue Anderson was born on September 26, 1962, in Berkeley, California. During her childhood, she displayed a quiet demeanor, often preferring the company of books to participating in outdoor activities such as climbing trees.
From a young age, it was clear that the girl with captivating blue eyes had a unique gift for performance. One of her dance instructors suggested that her parents pursue representation through an agent.
Anderson, an outstanding student who consistently achieved straight A’s, began her career as a child actress, making guest appearances on well-known sitcoms like Bewitched and The Brady Bunch, where she played Millicent, the character who shared Bobby’s first kiss.
Her major breakthrough occurred when she was cast as Mary Ingalls in the beloved series Little House, a role that would significantly shape her career.
She was a key cast member during the first seven seasons and made guest appearances in the final eighth season. Furthermore, Anderson received a nomination for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
“I consider myself fortunate that there was even a character available to portray, as the book does not provide much detail,” she stated from her residence in Montreal. “Laura [Ingalls, the author of the Little House novels that inspired the series] was considerably older when she penned the books. She was reminiscing about the highlights of her life. The characters of Ma and Mary were not prominently featured. There was a significant focus on Laura and Pa, as well as Laura and Jack the dog, and Laura and Mr. Edwards, but Mary had limited presence. I am grateful that they recognized my acting abilities,” Anderson shared with Pop Entertainment in 2010.
For the young actress, who was attending high school at the time, achieving recognition as one of the most well-known figures in the country was a challenging endeavor.
”A lot of kids at school are curious and ask inappropriate questions, like, ’How much do you make?’ That’s embarrassing. I’ll just give them a look that lets them know what I think of the question or tell them it’s none of their business,” she told Iowa City Press-Citizen in 1977.
Over the course of her career in Hollywood, Anderson earned around $1.5 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. But during her spell at Little House, the child actress’s salary wasn’t that high.
Many individuals assume that actors earn substantial incomes. However, this is not necessarily the case. By the time various expenses are accounted for, the reality is quite different. A quarter of my earnings is allocated to a trust fund, while 10 percent goes to my agent. Additionally, I invest a significant amount—perhaps too much—into my fan club, which comprises 1,500 members. Although there is an initial fee for joining the club, we incur further expenses for sending out letters, newsletters, and holiday cards. While this serves as a form of publicity, it also represents a considerable financial burden. Furthermore, I compensate my mother for her daily presence on set, as I would otherwise need to hire someone for transportation. This was expressed in 1977.
A significant factor contributing to its enduring success is the ensemble of cherished characters and the actors who portrayed them, all of whom achieved notable recognition through the series. The program elevated young talents such as Melissa Gilbert and provided veteran actor Michael Landon with what many consider his most iconic role as the family patriarch, Charles Ingalls.
The cast exhibited such remarkable chemistry that they appeared to be a genuine family, and off-screen, the co-stars remained integral to each other’s lives for many years. However, their relationships were not without challenges.
Melissa Gilbert once candidly expressed her feelings regarding her co-star who played Mary Ingalls.
“She is hateful, horrid, mean, terrible, difficult. She hated me. She knocked me off the wagon when I was nine,” Gilbert recounted.
Following the conclusion of Prairie, Anderson’s most significant roles emerged in television films such as Which Mother is Mine? and Survival of Dana.
Although she remained active in her career, similar to many child and adolescent stars, she was unable to secure a role that matched the prominence of her character in Little House.
Melissa Sue Anderson today
In the 80s, Melissa Sue Anderson dated Frank Sinatra Jr. for a little while. The two met when Melissa, 17 at the time, guest-starred on The Love Boat. Frank Sinatra Jr. was 19 years her senior when they met.
”Frank Jr. stood right next to the camera and cheered me on,” Melissa said.
”He was a great help.”
However, Melissa contends that the rumored relationship has been exaggerated.
“He is merely a close friend,” she stated.
In 1990, Melissa entered into marriage with television producer Michael Sloan. They are parents to a daughter, Piper (born 1991), and a son, Griffin (born 1996).
Her family life prompted a significant decision: to obtain Canadian citizenship. The family relocated to Montreal in 2002 and achieved naturalization in 2007.
“The whole family is Canadian exactly now, and my husband and I had to take the test, and we studied and studied and studied,” she said in an interview with E-Talk.
She also revealed she wanted to step away from show business as her kids were growing up, not just to spend time with them but to avoid pressuring them into becoming child stars themselves.
She remarked, “I took a significant break for an extended period. This decision was primarily for my children, allowing them to develop their own identities rather than being defined by my presence.”
She noted that her children currently have no desire to pursue acting, while she has returned to the public eye, taking on minor roles in television and film.
At the age of 61, Melissa has also authored a memoir reflecting on her time on Little House on the Prairie, entitled The Way I See It: A Look Back at My Life on Little House.
Melissa – you still look young, and your beauty will never leave you, and most importantly, you’re a good soul!
She’s down-to-earth, modest, and realistic. She’s a real person! Not plastic/Hollywoodish and I appreciate that in actors.
It’s always fascinating to hear what the stars of our old favorite shows are up to. Glad Melissa Sue Anderson is still doing well!
Share this story with all the Little House on the Prairie fans in your life!