2024-09-26 15:51:30
Melissa Sue Anderson thrilled millions of Little House on the Prairie fans in her role as the blind Mary Ingalls. What is the actress doing today?
A bit of astronomy (“Enterprise”), a few trips in the fast lane (“Starsky & Hutch”) and something for the eyes for the regulars’ table (“Charlie’s Angels”): In the mid-seventies, the world of television was still in order. Pretty high on the list of early-evening feel-good programs was a series that depicted life in the country, just as city dwellers longing for peace and comfort had always dreamed of it. We are talking about the American TV farm idyll par excellence: “Little House on the Prairie”.
One of the most important protagonists in the series was named Mary Ingalls. The American actress Melissa Sue Anderson took on the role of the farmer’s daughter, who eventually went blind but still lived a fulfilling life as a loving teacher. 50 years after the launch of “Little House on the Prairie,” fans are wondering: What happened next for Melissa Sue Anderson?
The California-born “actress, author, mother, avid moviegoer, tennis enthusiast and fitness lover” – this is how Melissa describes herself on her X-profile – appeared in many other TV series and films after the end of “Little House on the Prairie”.
In 1979, Anderson received the Emmy Award for her role in the family drama “Which Mother is Mine?”. Her impressive portrayal of a 15-year-old girl who tries to keep track of the chaos of her adoption family opened further doors in the industry for the once enthusiastic dance student. However, she was never able to make the big breakthrough.
Melissa Sue Anderson tried out various genre roles such as in “The Love Boat”, “Ab in die ewigkeit”, “Hotel” or “10.5 – Apocalypse”. But she was not really able to build on the success she had at the beginning of her acting career. The actress’ last “major” appearance was in 2018 in a small supporting role in the US comedy “The Con Is On” alongside Uma Thurman, Tim Roth and Alice Eve.
In addition to acting, family has always been at the top of Melissa Sue Anderson’s priority list. Since 2007, she and her husband, freelance author, illustrator and Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Sloan, have lived in seclusion in Montreal and now also have Canadian citizenship.
Melissa Sue Anderson occasionally posts pictures with her children on X. Her daughter Piper is now 33 years old, her son Griffin is five years younger. The 28-year-old also works in the film industry and directed the short film “Sacrifice,” for example.
Whether Melissa Sue Anderson will ever find her way back to the screen is anyone’s guess. What remains for now are the memories of Mary Ingalls, who will remain forever in the hearts of many “Little House on the Prairie” fans. Today Melissa Sue Anderson celebrates her 61st birthday.