Melissa Gilbert

Actress

"I went in and I remember doing the screen test … I did a scene with Michael [Landon] about him not being sorry that Jack drowned, and looking up at the stars. And I remember, clear as anything, the two of us doing the scene and him looking at me with tears in his eyes. And, I choke up just talking about it, instantly bringing me to tears. Which made it so, it was just so easy. It, I didn’t know at the time, was the beginning of what we would be able to do to each other on camera for all those years. There was some sort of symbiotic connection there. I found out later, many, many years later, that when it came time to take the screen test to the network, he only took mine. 'Cause he knew. He didn’t give them any other choices. He just said, 'that’s Laura. That’s Half Pint.'"

About This Interview

In her three hour interview for the Archive of American Television, Melissa Gilbert discusses her career as an actress/producer/director. She shares stories of her famous grandfather, Honeymooners creator Harry Crane, and recalls her early foray into acting in television commercials. Gilbert then details her time playing "Laura Ingalls" on the much beloved series Little House on the Prairie. She describes working with Michael Landon, and recounts memorable episodes, including "The Lord is My Shepherd," "Laura Ingalls Wilder," in which her character gets married, and the series finale, "The Long Farewell." Gilbert talks of playing Helen Keller in the TV movie The Miracle Worker, for which she was nominated for an Emmy, discusses playing the title role in the made for TV movie, The Diary of Anne Frank, and speaks of her production company, Half-Pint Production. She also describes her directorial debut on the after-school special, Me and My Hormones. Amy Harrington conducted the interview on April 18, 2011 in Tarzana, CA.

Resources

Autobiography: Prairie Tale: A Memoir

YouTube video player - HTML5 compatible.

Highlights
Chapters
Shows
People
Topics
Genres

Highlights

Chapters

Shows

People

Topics

Emmy Awards
- Melissa Gilbert on being nominated for an Emmy for The Miracle Worker
  Clip begins at: 52:31, Duration: 01m 31s
Historic Events and Social Change > 9/11
- Melissa Gilbert on 9/11 happening in the middle of her SAG campaign for President
  Clip begins at: 34:24, Duration: 02m 07s
Pop Culture > Characters & Catchphrases
- Melissa Gilbert on playing "Laura Ingalls" on Little House on the Prairie
  Clip begins at: 30:14, Duration: 03m 19s
- Melissa Gilbert on her character "Laura Ingalls" on Little House on the Prairie
  Clip begins at: 36:43, Duration: 06m 20s
Television Industry > Fame & Celebrity
- Melissa Gilbert on realizing she was famous; on her fans
  Clip begins at: 06:22, Duration: 04m 47s

Genres

Submitted by Matt on Sun, 2011-12-18 08:16.

Was not sure what to expect with her interview- often former child actors have some myths to protect...or sour grapes to squeeze. Melissa is direct and enthralling.

Submitted by Starry on Thu, 2011-12-15 20:29.

"The ultimate TV comfort food" -- and I can't go a single day starving... It's my safe place every day.

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2011-12-15 06:53.

What an incredible interview with a wonderful actress. Love Melissa and her stories and memories are what real hollywood is made of. Thank you for this,all I can say is more,more,more:)!

Submitted by Caroline on Thu, 2011-12-15 03:20.

Love this!!!!!!

Submitted by Dan C. on Thu, 2011-12-15 02:33.

What a pleasure it was to watch this great interview. Melissa Gilbert comes across as a genuine, smart, and beautiful example of all that's right with the entertainment industry.

Submitted by Marian on Wed, 2011-12-14 19:23.

She is a Queen, pure emotion and pure energy, nothing more to say ... thank you, thank you and THANK YOU!

Capturing Television History, One Voice At A Time