A whole generation of TV viewers undoubtedly remembers the series “Little House on the Prairie“, the classic drama series about the adventures of the Ingalls family in the late 19th century.
With a brilliant cast full of unforgettable characters, many people undoubtedly wonder how they’re doing now.
Melissa Sue Anderson, who played the role of Mary Ingalls, was one of the actors who said goodbye to show business. And recently, she revealed why she left Hollywood and moved to Canada.
Anderson began her career as a child star, appearing in various soap operas such as Bewitched and The Brady Bunch, where she played Millicent, the girl who gave Bobby his first kiss.
However, her significant breakthrough came as Mary Ingalls in the series “Little House on the Prairie”.
She portrayed one of the lead roles for seven seasons, and in the eighth season, she made some guest appearances.
Furthermore, she was nominated for Best Actress in a Drama Series.
“I’m lucky I got a part at all because in the book, there wasn’t a part,” she shared from her home in Montreal. “Laura (Ingalls, the author of the book series adapted for TV) was an older woman when she wrote the books. She remembered her best life. The characters of Ma and Mary weren’t as extensive. Laura and Pa had big roles, and Laura and Jack the dog, and Laura and Mr. Edwards, but not much Mary. I’m lucky they thought I could act,” Anderson told Pop Entertainment in 2010.
Following the conclusion of the “Little House” series, her most notable roles were in Which Mother is Mine? and Survival of Dana.
She continued working, but like many child and teen stars, she never found a role as fulfilling as the one in Little House.
Melissa Sue Anderson today
In 1990, she tied the knot with producer Michael Sloan. They share a daughter named Piper and a son named Griffin.
Family life prompted her to make a significant choice: becoming a Canadian citizen. The family relocated to Canada in 2002 and achieved citizenship in 2007.
“The whole family is now in Canada, and my husband and I had to take a test first. We studied like crazy,” she shared in an interview with E-Talk.
She also expressed her desire to step back from show business as her children grew up, aiming to spend more time with them and shield them from the industry.
“I was largely absent from Hollywood for a long time,” she remarked. “It was primarily for the children, so they could pursue their own paths.”
She mentioned that her children have no interest in acting now, but she herself resumed acting in minor television and film roles.
Additionally, she penned a memoir detailing her experiences on the set of “Little House on the Prairie”. The book is titled “The Way I See It: A Look Back at My Life on Little House”.
https://www.facebook.com/MelissaSueAnderso/photos/a.103327161349152/129949002020301/?type=3
It’s always fascinating to learn about the current endeavors of the stars from our beloved old series. Great to hear they’re doing well!
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