There are a few television series that continue to resonate with audiences for decades after their close, but Little House on the Prairie does exactly that. It is in no small part a result of the palpable chemistry between cast members, who provided an authentic feeling of love and strength to the show. One particular member who captivated audiences in this way was Michael Landon, and his on-screen daughter, Melissa Gilbert, recently opened up about his impact on the cast and crew, as well as his special impact on her.
Little House on the Prairie
In Little House on the Prairie, which aired from 1974 to 1983, Michael Landon played the iconic role of Charles Ingalls, patriarch of the Ingalls family. Based on the book series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, the show followed the lives of the Ingalls family and their experiences living on a farm in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, during the late 19th century. As Charles, Landon portrayed a hardworking, compassionate father and husband who often served as the moral center of the show, guiding his family through life’s challenges with strength and kindness.
The show was a major success
The beloved series was widely praised for its wholesome storytelling, strong family values, and heartfelt performances. It resonated deeply with audiences and became a cherished part of American television history, receiving acclaim for its portrayal of pioneer life and the universal themes of love, perseverance, and community. As such, the success of the show saw it run for a whopping nine seasons.
Landon was the guiding force for the cast
Now, 50 years following the start of the show, Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura Ingalls, Charles’s second oldest daughter in the series, is reflecting on the impact Landon had during the filming of the show. “Michael was the quarterback, right? So he set the tone of what we were doing,” she said. While everyone benefitted from his leadership, Gilbert says her relationship with Landon was special in its own way.
Gilbert shared a special relationship with Landon
She explained how he always knew how to make her laugh, especially in situations that were awkward for her. During a cover shoot for a 1978 issue of PEOPLE magazine, Gilbert struggled to smile for the camera. “I don’t like doing still photography, so it can be uncomfortable for me,” she said. “But as a kid, it was even worse, and Michael hated it as much as I did. So he would do everything in his power to make me laugh while we were shooting pictures … I’m laughing, and it’s because he had just taken one of my pigtails and shoved it up my nose.”
Landon was generous throughout his life
While her relationship with Landon was uniquely special, she explained how he would extend kindness elsewhere, going out of his way to spoil the cast and crew of the show. “Every year for NBC, he would announce the Rose Parade and instead of taking a payment for that, he would use that money to buy the cast and crew Christmas presents every year,” she said. She then added, “So he sacrificed his New Year’s Eves, basically, to be at the Rose Parade at 3 a.m. so that he could give us all really amazing Christmas presents.”
Gilbert and Landon remained close even after the show
Gilbert also shared a special relationship with him after the close of the show. “Mine was unique in that I was the only cast member who regularly socialized with him and his family,” she explained. “We all vacationed together during spring break to Hawaii — the same hotel every year. Mike’s kids went to the same school I went to. I slept over at their house all the time. They slept over at my house.”
Gone but never forgotten
Sadly, Landon died in 1991 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. However, his legacy continues to be felt not only by the cast who worked with him but also by the continued longevity of Little House on the Prairie. The heartfelt charm and kindness he brought to Charles Ingalls still resonates with the hearts of many today.
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