Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Melissa Gilbert
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Melissa Gilbert made an impact.
Melissa Gilbert is an American actress best known for her role as Laura Ingalls Wilder in the television series *Little House on the Prairie* (1974-1983). She began her career as a child actress, appearing in commercials and TV guest roles before landing her iconic *Little House* role. During the show's run, she also starred in TV films like *The Diary of Anne Frank* and *The Miracle Worker*. As an adult, Gilbert continued to work primarily in television films. More recently, she starred as Caroline "Ma" Ingalls in the *Little House on the Prairie* musical tour (2009-2010) and competed on *Dancing with the Stars* in 2012.
1973: Pilot for Little House on the Prairie shot
In 1973, Melissa Gilbert shot the pilot for Little House on the Prairie, and it became a ratings success.
1974: Stars in Little House on the Prairie
In 1974, Melissa Gilbert began starring as Laura Ingalls Wilder in the NBC series Little House on the Prairie.
1979: Appears in The Miracle Worker
In 1979, during the run of Little House on the Prairie, Melissa Gilbert appeared in the television film The Miracle Worker.
1980: Appears in The Diary of Anne Frank
In 1980, during the run of Little House on the Prairie, Melissa Gilbert appeared in the television film The Diary of Anne Frank.
1983: Little House on the Prairie ends
During the show's run, which ended during the 1983-84 season, Melissa Gilbert appeared in several television films, including The Diary of Anne Frank and The Miracle Worker.
1983: Stars in Choices of the Heart
In 1983, Melissa Gilbert starred as Jean Donovan in the biopic Choices of the Heart.
1996: Appears in Babylon 5
In 1996, Melissa Gilbert played Anna Sheridan in three episodes of Babylon 5 with then-husband Bruce Boxleitner.
2001: President of the Screen Actors Guild
In 2001, Melissa Gilbert served as president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG).
2001: Geraldine Aron's one-woman play
In March and April 2018, Gilbert starred in Geraldine Aron's 2001 one-woman play My Brilliant Divorce.
2003: Re-elected president of the Screen Actors Guild
In 2003, Melissa Gilbert was re-elected as president of the Screen Actors Guild.
July 2005: Announces she will not seek a third term
In July 2005, Melissa Gilbert announced that she would not seek a third term as president of the Screen Actors Guild.
2005: End of term as president of the Screen Actors Guild
Melissa Gilbert served as president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) until 2005.
2006: Appears on Nip/Tuck
In 2006, Melissa Gilbert appeared as Shari Noble on an episode of Nip/Tuck.
2008: Plays Caroline "Ma" Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie musical
In 2008, Melissa Gilbert played Caroline "Ma" Ingalls in the musical adaptation of Little House on the Prairie at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.
2009: Appears in Little House on the Prairie, the Musical
From 2009 to 2010, Melissa Gilbert appeared as Caroline "Ma" Ingalls in the touring production of Little House on the Prairie, the Musical.
2009: Tours with Little House on the Prairie musical
Throughout 2009, Melissa Gilbert toured with the musical adaptation of Little House on the Prairie.
June 2010: Little House on the Prairie tour ends
In June 2010, Melissa Gilbert's tour with Little House on the Prairie ended at Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri.
2010: Appears in Little House on the Prairie, the Musical
From 2009 to 2010, Melissa Gilbert appeared as Caroline "Ma" Ingalls in the touring production of Little House on the Prairie, the Musical.
March 2012: Joins Dancing with the Stars
In March 2012, Melissa Gilbert joined the cast of Dancing with the Stars. During week four's show, she suffered a mild concussion. She was eliminated in week eight, finishing in fifth place.
2012: Contestant on Dancing with the Stars
In 2012, Melissa Gilbert was a contestant on season fourteen of the reality dance competition show Dancing with the Stars on ABC.
August 10, 2015: Announces campaign for U.S. House of Representatives
On August 10, 2015, Melissa Gilbert announced her campaign for Michigan's 8th congressional district in the 2016 elections to the United States House of Representatives.
May 2016: Drops out of congressional race
In May 2016, Melissa Gilbert, the presumptive Democratic nominee, dropped out of the race for Michigan's 8th congressional district, citing health issues.
2016: Withdraws from U.S. Congressional race
In 2016, Melissa Gilbert briefly ran for the U.S. Congress but withdrew her candidacy before the election.
April 2018: Stars in My Brilliant Divorce
In March and April 2018, Melissa Gilbert starred in an Off-Off-Broadway production of Geraldine Aron's play My Brilliant Divorce.
2022: Launches lifestyle app
In 2022, Melissa Gilbert launched Modern Prairie, a lifestyle app aimed at women.
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