From 1974 to 1984, the iconic TV show Little House on the Prairie was on the air on NBC and had a huge following. The role of the family's daughter "Laura Ingalls" was played by a very young Melissa Gilbert. In a new interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Melissa has now looked back at her time on the popular show.
"It was like a really great summer camp," she said, "but I also got to play the ultimate game of dress up, and be in those fantastic clothes, and the button-up boots. I don't remember it ever not being fun," reveals Melissa Gilbert about her time on the set of Little House on the Prairie.
Melissa Gilbert talks about the late Michael Landon
During her time on the series, she in fact learned a lot about values such as tolerance and family spirit. Those values were taught to her by the late Michael Landon (†54), who starred in, directed and executive produced the show.
"The show's values, I think, were absolutely a reflection of the values of our leader, of Michael Landon," Gilbert said. "He was that man. He believed that people are always really good at heart. And that anyone is redeemable, and that the only way to change things is to do it from a place of love and fairness and understanding."
She adds: "It's unfortunate, for so many reasons, that he passed away when he did because I think his voice would've been an incredibly important voice to have today."
Michael Landon was like a father to Melissa Gilbert
The Little House on the Prairie actress also shares an anecdote from the set in which Michael Landon really impressed her. While shooting a scene, she kept forgetting her lines and when Landon asked her about it, she burst into tears.
"[...] He said, 'Just calm down. We're gonna do this. You're gonna learn your lines.' And we did it and we did it and we did it. And I finally got it. And I was ready. And I said, 'Thank you so much.' And I gave him a hug. And he said, 'You're so welcome.' And then he got down right in front of me and he said, 'And that is never happening again, is it?' And it never did."
There's an automatic redirect in place!
He played "Albert" over 35 years ago!
