• Melissa Gilbert was "Laura Ingalls"
  • Her co-star was Michael Landon
  • She shares emotional words on his birthday

Melissa Gilbert shares sweet birthday message to the late Michael Landon

Melissa Gilbert's (59) career took off with 'Little House on the Prairie' in 1974. At the age of only ten, she was discovered by Michael Landon and undertook the role of "Laura Ingalls". She saw Michael as a father figure, as her adoptive father died only a year later.

The series ran for nine seasons from 1974 to 1983. Sadly, Michael Landon passed away far too early at just 54 years old as a result of pancreatic cancer. The actor would have had his birthday on October 31st.

On this special day, Melissa Gilbert honours the 'Little House on the Prairie' star on Instagram. She shares some emotional words about a photo of the two of them. She wrote: "Happy birthday, my mentor, my teacher, my friend, my pa. I love you so much".

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So after all these years, Melissa Gilbert is still thinking about Michael Landon, the man who clearly had such an impact on her at a young age.