The stories of Little House on the Prairie books are still loved by many around the world. The television series has also won the hearts of families across America. The exciting series followed the Ingalls family and the trials of border life in the late 1800s.
The series had a cast of incredibly talented stars, including Melissa Gilbert and Michael Landon. Gilbert and Landon formed a special bond while working together. He was an important role model for the young actor and held a special place in his heart. Years after the show ended, Gilbert found a sentimental treasure on eBay.
Who is Melissa Gilbert?
Melissa Gilbert is best known for her role as Laura Ingalls on the television series Little House on the Prairie. The historical drama of the American westerns was from 1974 to 1983. Gilbert allegedly defeated more than 500 other actors who had auditioned for the role. Gilbert’s incredible performance as Laura made her the youngest person to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, according to Biography. She also received two Young Artists awards for Best Young Actress and a TV Lands award.
Besides Little House on the Prairie, Gilbert had a prominent television career. She starred alongside Patty Duke in The miracle worker, playing blind and deaf Helen Keller. She played Anne Frank in Anne Frank’s diary and had an impressive performance as one of the main characters in Splendor in the grass.
Gilbert remained active in Hollywood, both on television and in the cinema. She was elected president of the Screen Actors Guild in 2001, and again for a second two-year term in 2003. She competed in Dancing with the stars in 2012. The talented actor also appeared on stage in a musical production of Little House on the Prairie. In 2009, she released a memoir of her life entitled Prairie Tale.
Michael Landon: Gilbert’s co-star and father figure
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Michael Landon was an acclaimed actor, writer, director, singer and producer. He was well liked by his fans and highly respected by his colleagues. He was best known for his roles in Bonanza, Small House on the Prairie, and Highway to heaven. Despite Landon’s incredible talent, he never won an Emmy for any of his performances.
In addition to his professional talents, Landon was also a caring person who made many friends over the course of his career. Landon and Gilbert had a very close relationship during their time in Little House on the Prairie. After Gilbert’s father died, she became especially attached to Landon. He became a father figure for Gilbert, 11, and was there for her as she grew up.
Gilbert bought a piece of the set to remind him for
Landon was a father figure to Gilbert in real life, but he played his real father in Little House on the Prairie. Landon played Charles Ingalls, Laura de Gilbert’s father. The pair had a strong bond on and off the set, and Gilbert actually has a very special object from the show that she kept as a reminder of Landon.
Gilbert found Pa’s violin, which played an extremely important role in books and the television series, on eBay years ago. Gilbert immediately accepted the offer, because the violin had incredible sentimental value to the actor. Pa’s violin has always been a symbol of peace, hope and comfort throughout the series. This helped build the mood and atmosphere in many important scenes, just as it did in the book.
Gilbert and her husband recently moved from their Michigan home to New York City. The couple worked with the Wilder Museum to auction off various items from the show, including the violin, autographed photos and sheet music, according to Marshall Independent. The museum reported that the last auction generated 58,000 views and more than 300 bids. Although the museum was at its peak in the late 1970s, when the show was still on the air, it has had great success on birthdays and special occasions in recent years.