Melissa Gilbert recently shared insights into her close relationship with her Little House on the Prairie co-star Michael Landon. Gilbert, now 59, spoke at the Little House on the Prairie 50th Anniversary Cast Reunion and Festival, highlighting Landon's significant influence on her life. She described Landon, who portrayed her on-screen father, as a father figure not only to her but to many others in the cast.
Gilbert revealed that after losing her own father at a young age, Landon stepped in to provide paternal support and guidance. Their bond extended beyond the set, with the families spending time together on vacations and holidays.
One touching tradition Gilbert shared was Landon's practice of using his earnings from announcing the Rose Parade to purchase Christmas gifts for the cast and crew each year. This gesture demonstrated Landon's generosity and commitment to the show's team.
Little House on the Prairie, a series loosely based on Laura Ingall Wilder's books, aired from 1974 to 1983, totaling over 200 episodes and several specials. Gilbert emphasized Landon's pivotal role in the show's success, acknowledging that without his contributions as a writer, director, and producer, the show wouldn't have achieved its iconic status.
Landon's legacy lives on through the enduring impact of Little House on the Prairie. Gilbert expressed her belief that Landon would be immensely proud of the show's enduring legacy and the lasting connections it forged among the cast and crew.
