Melissa Gilbert

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.

Personal life
Gilbert 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
Gilbert has battled alcoholism and drug abuse, which she wrote about in her 2009 autobiography. In January 2015 Gilbert decided to have her breast implants surgically removed for health reasons.

Honors
For her contribution to the television industry, Gilbert has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6429 Hollywood Blvd in 1985. Her then-fiancée, 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
On August 10, 2015, Gilbert announced her intentions to run for Michigan's 8th congressional district. She planned to run against Republican incumbent Mike Bishop.

Career
Movies
 Year Film Role Notes 1977  Circus, Lions, Tigers and Melissas Too  Self   Christmas Miracle in Caufield, U.S.A.  Kelly Sullivan  TV movie1979  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 movie1983  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
+Series starring roles Year Show Role Season # Notes 1974–83    Little House on the Prairie  Laura Ingalls Wilder  1–9  Two Young Artist AwardsNominated: 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

+Guest appearances  Year Show Role Season Episode Notes1972 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

Other websites

Official personal website 
Official campaign website 

Category:Presidents of the Screen Actors Guild
Category:American movie actors
Category:American television actors
Category:Actors from Michigan
Category:Politicians from Michigan
Category:Actors from Los Angeles
Category:Politicians from California
Category:Democratic Party (United States) politicians
Category:1964 births
Category:Living people