Melissa Gilbert, known for her role as Laura Ingalls in 'Little House on the Prairie,' revealed on a podcast that her unkempt appearance during auditions helped her land the iconic role. She also discussed her decision to leave Los Angeles to age gracefully and her current fulfilling life in the Catskill Mountains.
'Little House on the Prairie' star Melissa Gilbert says being 'raggedy and dirty' landed her iconic role
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Melissa Gilbert, known for her role as Laura Ingalls in 'Little House on the Prairie,' revealed on a podcast that her unkempt appearance during auditions helped her land the iconic role. She also discussed her decision to leave Los Angeles to age gracefully and her current fulfilling life in the Catskill Mountains.
- 1 1974-1983: 'Little House on the Prairie' aired.
- 2 2013: Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield married and moved to Michigan.
- 3 2019: Gilbert and Busfield bought a rustic cottage in the Catskill Mountains.
- 4 2024: Gilbert told Fox News Digital about leaving Los Angeles to age gracefully.
- 5 Recently: Gilbert appeared on 'Hey Dude… The 90s Called!' podcast.
- Gilbert secured an iconic role
- Became a child star
- Later made lifestyle changes for personal well-being
What: Melissa Gilbert, star of 'Little House on the Prairie,' shared how her 'raggedy and dirty' appearance during auditions, contrasting with other primped girls, helped her secure the role of Laura Ingalls. She also discussed her later decision to leave Los Angeles to embrace aging naturally, including stopping hair coloring and removing breast implants, and her current life in the Catskill Mountains with her husband.
When: 'recently' (podcast appearance), 1974-1983 (show aired), 2013 (wedding), 2019 (bought cottage), 2024 (told Fox News Digital about aging).
Where: Hollywood, Los Angeles, Michigan, Catskill Mountains (New York), United States.
Why: Gilbert's natural, unkempt look fit the character of Laura Ingalls, a pioneer girl. Her decision to leave LA was driven by a desire to age gracefully and escape Hollywood's pressure to maintain a youthful appearance.
How: Gilbert adopted an 'audition uniform' of overalls and flannel, and her mother would leave her hair messy and dirt on her face. She learned she got the role from Michael Landon's daughter. She later moved from Los Angeles to Michigan and then to the Catskill Mountains to change her lifestyle and approach to aging.