Short Biography

Melissa Ellen Gilbert (born May 8, 1964) is an American actress, writer and producer, primarily in movies and television.

The naturally red-headed Gilbert is best known as a child actor who co-starred as Charles Ingalls` (played by Michael Landon) second daughter, Laura Ingalls Wilder, on the 1970s dramatic television series Little House on the Prairie (1974-1983). Not long after that she played Gerda in the Faerie Tale Theatre adaptation of The Snow Queen. She also provided the voicework for the roles of Clara in the Sanrio film, Nutcracker Fantasy and later Barbara Gordon in Batman: The Animated Series. More recently, she served two terms as president of the Screen Actors Guild.

Gilbert was born in Los Angeles, California, to a Jewish family. She was adopted by actor Paul Gilbert (born Paul MacMahon) and his wife, Barbara Crane. She won the role of Laura Ingalls Wilder on Little House over 500 other young actresses in part because she bore a remarkable resemblance to both Karen Grassle & Michael Landon. This role made her a household name. Gilbert attended the same school as Leslie Landon, Michael Landon`s real-life daughter. Melissa and brother Jonathan Gilbert worked together when he portrayed Willie Oleson in Little House on the Prairie and in the movie The Miracle Worker. When Melissa was eight, her parents divorced, and when she was 11, her adoptive father died. While away from the Little House set, she often spent weekends with Michael Sr.`s family and, at 17, Michel Jr. even took her to the prom. Her adoptive mother married Harold Abeles and gave birth in 1975 to Sara Abeles, who became an actress. In 1984 Sara Abeles changed her name to Melissa`s surname Sara Gilbert. Sara would later star in the American television series Roseanne.

Miscellaneous Information

Friends and Family

melissa gilbert [Mother]

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