fiction.wikisort.org - Actor

Melissa Ellen Gilbert (born May 8, 1964)[1][2] is an American actress, television director, producer, politician, and former president of the Screen Actors Guild.

Melissa Gilbert
Gilbert in December 2010
26th President of the Screen Actors Guild
In office October 15, 2001 – February 22, 2005
Preceded by	William Daniels
Succeeded by	Alan Rosenberg
Personal details
Born	Melissa Ellen Gilbert (1964-05-08) May 8, 1964 (age 58) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Political party	Democrat Party
Spouse(s)	Bo Brinkman ​ ​ (m. 1988; div. 1992)​ Bruce Boxleitner ​ ​ (m. 1995; div. 2011)​ Timothy Busfield ​ (m. 2013)​
Children	2
Parent	Paul Gilbert (father)
Relatives	Jonathan Gilbert (brother) Sara Gilbert (sister)
Occupation	Actress director producer politician
Years active	1967–present

Gilbert began her career as a child actress in the late 1960s, appearing in numerous commercials and guest starring roles on television. From 1974 to 1983, she starred as Laura Ingalls Wilder, the second oldest daughter of Charles Ingalls (played by Michael Landon) on the NBC series Little House on the Prairie. During the run of Little House, Gilbert appeared in several television films, including The Diary of Anne Frank and The Miracle Worker.

As an adult, she continued her career mainly in television films. Gilbert has also continued with guest starring roles on television and has completed voice work for animation such as Batman: The Animated Series as Barbara Gordon / Batgirl. From 2009 to 2010, Gilbert appeared as Caroline "Ma" Ingalls in the touring production of Little House on the Prairie, the Musical. In 2012, she was a contestant on season fourteen of the popular reality dance competition show Dancing with the Stars on ABC.

Gilbert served as the President of the Screen Actors Guild from 2001 to 2005.[3] In 2009, her autobiography Prairie Tale: A Memoir, was released. In 2014, she wrote a short story for children, called Daisy and Josephine[4] as well as My Prairie Cookbook: Memories and Frontier Food from My Little House to Yours.[5]

In 2016, Gilbert ran for U.S. Congress as a Democrat in Michigan's 8th congressional district and she won the Democrat primary. She later dropped out because of health issues stemming from a 2012 accident.[6]

Early life and family

Gilbert was born in Los Angeles, California, on May 8, 1964, to a newly engaged couple, Kathy Wood and David Darlington, and given up for adoption immediately after birth.[1] She was adopted one day later by actor and comedian Paul Gilbert[7] and his wife, dancer and actress Barbara Crane, the daughter of The Honeymooners creator Harry Crane. They later adopted a son, Jonathan, who co-starred on Little House on the Prairie.^{[citation needed]}

Gilbert's parents divorced when she was 8 years old. Her mother then married attorney Harold Abeles, and together they had biological daughter Sara Rebecca Abeles (the actress known professionally as Sara Gilbert) on January 29, 1975.^{[citation needed]}

On February 13, 1976, Paul Gilbert died. Although 11-year-old Melissa was told that he had suffered a stroke, she found out years later that he had been a VA patient who dealt with constant pain and that he had taken his own life. The marriage of Barbara and Harold Abeles later ended in divorce.[8] According to her biography, Gilbert was raised in her adoptive mother's Jewish religion,[9] but did not have any formal religious education or conversion ceremony.[10]

Career

Early years

Gilbert's earliest television appearances were in dozens of commercials, including one for Alpo dog food with Lorne Greene (Michael Landon's television father on Bonanza). She also attended school with Landon's daughter, Leslie Landon. It was Leslie who informed her that she had won the role of Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie, beating out over 500 child actresses for the part. The pilot was shot in 1973 and was a ratings success. Almost a year later, Gilbert began filming the series. Gilbert became extremely close to the Landon family after her adoptive father died. However, a rift developed between Michael Landon and Gilbert after the revelation of Landon's affair with Little House's young makeup artist, Cindy Clerico.[11]

Gilbert had limited contact with Landon after Little House ended during the 1983–84 season. Seven years later, she was contacted by Landon's family and upon news of his condition, paid him a heartfelt visit following his May 9, 1991, appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson where he discussed his pancreatic cancer. She visited Landon at his Malibu home where he was, by then, bedridden, and they spent the afternoon together. Landon died one week later. When Gilbert gave birth to her son with second husband Bruce Boxleitner on October 6, 1995, they named him Michael, in honor of Landon.[12]

Career after Little House

Gilbert has continued to work regularly, mainly in television. She starred as Jean Donovan in the biopic Choices of the Heart (1983), and as Anna Sheridan in three episodes of Babylon 5 with then-husband Boxleitner in 1996. She also provided the voice of Batgirl on the 1990s Batman: The Animated Series, though she would be replaced by voice actress Tara Strong for the series' follow-up The New Batman Adventures.

For her contribution to the television industry, Gilbert received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6429 Hollywood Blvd in 1985.[13] Her then-fiancé, Rob Lowe, was present with her when her star was unveiled during the ceremony.[14]

In 1998, she was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In 2006, Gilbert appeared as Shari Noble, a patient looking to reconstruct her nipples after committing zoophilia with her dog in a season four episode of Nip/Tuck.

In 2008 and through 2009, Gilbert played Caroline "Ma" Ingalls in the musical adaptation of Little House on the Prairie. This world premiere production at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis was directed by Francesca Zambello and also starred Kara Lindsay as Laura. The show ran through October 19 and was on a US National tour for 2009–10.[15][16] The tour ended in June 2010 at Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri.

In March and April 2018, Gilbert starred in an Off-Off-Broadway, limited-run production of Geraldine Aron's 2001 one-woman play 2001 My Brilliant Divorce.[17]

Dancing with the Stars

In March 2012, Gilbert joined the cast of celebrity contestants on season 14 of Dancing with the Stars. She was paired with Maksim Chmerkovskiy. During week four's show, while dancing the Paso Doble, she fell and hit her head on Maksim's leg and suffered a mild concussion and was taken to a hospital. She went home to recuperate, but returned to continue in the competition.[18] In week eight of competition, she was eliminated, finishing in fifth place.

Screen Actors Guild presidency

Gilbert was elected president of the Screen Actors Guild in 2001 after a contentious candidacy, in which she ultimately beat her opponent, Rhoda actress Valerie Harper, 21,351 votes to 12,613 votes after a second vote was taken. In 2003, she was re-elected, defeating Kent McCord with 50% of the vote to his 42%.[19] In July 2005, she announced that she would not seek a third term. She was succeeded by Alan Rosenberg, who assumed the guild presidency on September 25.

2016 congressional campaign

On August 10, 2015, Gilbert announced her campaign for Michigan's 8th congressional district in the 2016 elections to the United States House of Representatives.[20][21][22] Gilbert, who was the presumptive Democratic nominee in the district, dropped out of the race in May 2016, citing health issues.[6]

Personal life

This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (March 2013)

Relationships

After her relationship with Rob Lowe ended, Gilbert left for New York City to star in the play A Shayna Maidel. Gilbert was set up with actor Bo Brinkman, a cousin of actors Randy Quaid and Dennis Quaid. The couple married on February 22, 1988, seven weeks after her split from Lowe. Their son, Dakota Paul Brinkman, was born on May 1, 1989. The couple divorced in 1992.

Weeks after Gilbert's divorce filing, actor Bruce Boxleitner's former wife set him up with Gilbert. Gilbert had met Boxleitner as a teenager when they both were on Battle of the Network Stars; he was her teenage crush. After reconnecting, they dated on and off for over a year. They were engaged twice and both engagements were ended by Boxleitner. After reuniting for a third time, they married on January 1, 1995, in her mother's living room.[23] Gilbert gave birth to their son, Michael Garrett Boxleitner, on October 6, 1995. He is named in honor of Michael Landon and Garrett Peckinpah, her friend Sandy Peckinpah's son, who died of meningitis at age 16. Gilbert was stepmother to Boxleitner's two sons. On March 1, 2011, Gilbert announced that she and Boxleitner had separated.[12] On August 22, 2011, Gilbert filed for divorce from Boxleitner.[24]

In January 2013, Gilbert's representative confirmed her engagement to actor Timothy Busfield.[25] They married on April 24, 2013,[26] lived in Howell, Michigan, from 2013 to 2018,[27] and moved to New York City late in 2018.[28] Also in 2018, the couple purchased a cottage in the Catskill Mountains of Upstate New York. Gilbert and Busfield have been renovating the cottage and intend to live there permanently. [29]

Tax issues

Following her announcement as a candidate for U.S. Representative from Michigan, a spokesperson for her opponent's campaign referred to Gilbert as a "tax cheat". Gilbert owed $360,000 in back federal taxes and $112,000 in California state taxes.[30] Gilbert has stated the tax debt is an outgrowth of a stalled acting career, the economy, and divorce.[31] She has negotiated a repayment plan with the IRS.[30]

Health issues

Gilbert has battled alcoholism and drug abuse, which she wrote about in her 2009 autobiography.[32]

While playing the role of Caroline "Ma" Ingalls in the touring musical Little House on the Prairie, a visit to the doctor revealed that Gilbert had been working with a broken back for months. On July 22, 2010, Gilbert underwent surgery to replace a disc as well as fuse a vertebra in her lower spine. The surgery was described as a complete success.[33]

In January 2015, Gilbert decided to have her breast implants removed for health reasons.[34]

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1967	The Reluctant Astronaut	Niece
1979	Nutcracker Fantasy	Clara (voice)
1985	Sylvester	Charlie
1986	Drug Free Kids: A Parent's Guide		Video
1989	Ice House	Kay	Shattered Trust
2007	Safe Harbour	Ophelia MacKenzie	Video
2015	One Smart Fellow	Ellen	Short film
2019	Guest Artist		Producer
2019	When We Last Spoke	Ruby

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1968	The Dean Martin Comedy Hour	Girl on Santa's Lap	Episode: "1968 Christmas Show"
1972	Gunsmoke	Spratt's Child	Episode: "The Judgement"
1972	Emergency!	Jenny	Episode: "Dinner Date"
1973	Tenafly	Suzie's sister	Episode: "The Cash and Carry Caper"
1974–83	Little House on the Prairie	Laura Ingalls	Lead role (191 episodes)
1977	Christmas Miracle in Caufield, U.S.A.	Kelly Sullivan	TV film
1978	The Love Boat	Rosemary 'Rocky' Simpson	Episode: "Rocky"
1978	The Hanna-Barbera Happy Hour	Herself (Guest Star)	Episode 1.2
1979	The Miracle Worker	Helen Keller	TV film
1979	The Little House Years	Laura Ingalls	TV film
1980	The Diary of Anne Frank	Anne Frank	TV film
1981	Splendor in the Grass	Wilma Dean 'Deanie' Loomis	TV film
1983	Choices of the Heart	Jean Donovan	TV film
1983	Little House: Look Back to Yesterday	Laura Ingalls Wilder	TV film
1984	Little House: The Last Farewell	Laura Ingalls Wilder	TV film (Events occur after the events of Bless All the Dear Children)
1984	Family Secrets	Sara Calloway	TV film
1984	Little House: Bless All the Dear Children	Laura Ingalls Wilder	TV film (Events occur before the events of The Last Farewell)
1985	Faerie Tale Theatre	Gerda	Episode: "The Snow Queen"
1986	Choices	Terry Granger	TV film
1986	Penalty Phase	Leah Furman	TV film
1987	Blood Vows: The Story of a Mafia Wife	Marian	TV film
1988	Killer Instinct	Dr. Lisa DaVito	TV film
1989	Ice House	Kay	TV film
1989	Chameleons		TV film
1990	Without Her Consent	Emily Briggs	TV film
1990	Forbidden Nights	Judith Shapiro	TV film
1990	Joshua's Heart	Claudia	TV film
1990	Donor	Dr. Kristine Lipton	TV film
1990	The Lookalike	Gina / Jennifer	TV film
1991	The Hidden Room		Episode: "Spirit Cabinet"
1992	Stand by Your Man	Rochelle Dunphy	Main role (8 episodes)
1992	With a Vengeance	Jenna King / Valerie Tanner	TV film
1992–94	Batman: The Animated Series	Barbara Gordon / Batgirl (voice)	Recurring role (6 episodes)
1993	Family of Strangers	Julie Lawson	TV film
1993	With Hostile Intent	Miranda Berkley	TV film
1993	Shattered Trust: The Shari Karney Story	Shari Karney	TV film
1993	House of Secrets	Marion Ravinel	TV film
1993	Dying to Remember	Lynn Matthews	TV film
1994	The Babymaker: The Dr. Cecil Jacobson Story	Mary Bennett	TV film
1994	Against Her Will: The Carrie Buck Story	Melissa Prentice	TV film
1994	Asbestos in Obstetrics	Fire Captain	TV film
1994	Cries from the Heart	Karen Barth	TV film
1994–95	Sweet Justice	Kate Delacroy	Main role (22 episodes)
1995	Zoya	Zoya Ossipov	TV film
1996	Babylon 5	Anna Sheridan	Episodes: "War Without End: Part 2", "Shadow Dancing", "Z'ha'dum"
1996	A Holiday for Love	Emma Murphy	TV film
1997	Seduction in a Small Town	Sarah Jenks	TV film
1997	Childhood Sweetheart?	Karen Carlson	TV film
1998	The Outer Limits	Teresa Janovitch	Episode: "Relativity Theory"
1998	Murder at 75 Birch	Gwen Todson	TV film
1998	Her Own Rules	Meredith Sanders	TV film
1998	Touched by an Angel	Michelle Tanner	Episode: "The Peacemaker"
1999	The Soul Collector	Rebecca	TV film
1999	Mistaken Identity	Sarah Barlow	TV film
2000	A Vision of Murder: The Story of Donielle	Donielle	TV film
2001	Sanctuary	Jo Ellen Hathaway	TV film
2002	Providence	Lorna Berlin	Episode: "Smoke and Mirrors"
2002	Presidio Med	Grace Bennett	Episode: "Once Upon a Family"
2003	Then Came Jones	Devon Jones-Thomas	TV film
2003	Storyline Online	Herself	Episode: "My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother"
2003	Hollywood Wives: The New Generation	Taylor Singer	TV film
2004	Heart of the Storm	Cassie Broadbeck	TV film
2005	Thicker than Water	Natalie Travers	TV film
2005	Fat Actress	Herself	Episode: "Charlie's Angels or Too Pooped to Pop"
2005	7th Heaven	Marie Wagner	Episode: "Honor Thy Mother"
2006	Nip/Tuck	Shari Noble	Episode: "Shari Noble"
2007	Sacrifices of the Heart	Kate Weston / Anne Weston	TV film
2011	The Christmas Pageant	Vera Parks	TV film
2012	Dancing with the Stars	Herself (Contestant)	Dance competition (14 episodes)
2015	The Night Shift	Lindsay	Episode: "Hold On"
2015	Secrets and Lies	Lisa Daly	Recurring role (5 episodes)
2017	Tenure	Tilly Masters	TV film
2018	Hometown Christmas	Mary Russell	TV film

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Title of work	Result
1980	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Special	The Miracle Worker	Nominated
1980	Young Artist Award	Best Juvenile Actress in a TV Series or Special	Little House on the Prairie	Nominated
1981	Golden Globe Award	Best Actress – Television Series Drama	Little House on the Prairie	Nominated
1982	Young Artist Award	Best Young Actress in a Television Special	Splendor in the Grass	Nominated
1983	Young Artist Award	Best Young Actress in a Drama Series	Little House on the Prairie	Won
1984	Young Artist Award	Best Young Actress in a Drama Series	Little House on the Prairie	Won
2000	Golden Boot Awards	Golden Boot	–	Won
2006	TV Land Awards	Most Memorable Kiss	Little House on the Prairie	Won

References

Sources

• Gilbert, Melissa (2009). Prairie Tale: A Memoir (1st ed.). Gallery Books. ISBN 978-1-416-59914-2.

External links

• Melissa Gilbert at IMDb
• Melissa Gilbert at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
• Melissa Gilbert at The Interviews: An Oral History of Television
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• About Melissa Gilbert

На других языках

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- [en] Melissa Gilbert

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[es] Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Ellen Gilbert (Los Ángeles, 8 de mayo de 1964) es una actriz americana, escritora y productora de televisión, principalmente en películas y en televisión. Todavía se la recuerda por su papel en la serie televisiva Little House on the Prairie, donde interpretaba a la segunda hija de Charles Ingalls (interpretado por Michael Landon), Laura Ingalls Wilder. La serie permaneció en antena desde 1974 hasta 1983. Poco después del final de la serie, interpretó a Gerda en la adaptación de The Snow Queen para la serie Faerie Tale Theatre. También prestó su voz en la película Nutcracker Fantasy, y posteriormente fue la voz de Barbara Gordon en Batman: The Animated Series. Más recientemente, fue presidente del Sindicato de Actores.

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[ru] Гилберт, Мелисса

Мелисса Эллен Гилберт (англ. Melissa Ellen Gilbert, род. 8 мая 1964 (1964-05-08)) — американская актриса, писатель и продюсер, работающая преимущественно в кино и телевидении. Гилберт более известна как ребёнок-актёр, игравшая роль Лауры Ингаллс Уайлдер, второй дочери Чарли Ингаллса, в драматическом телесериале «Маленький домик в прериях» (1974—1984). Также у неё большой список взрослых ролей, работ по озвучиванию, писательских, продюсерских и режиссёрских работ. Кроме этого в 2001—2005 годах Мелисса пробыла два срока президентом гильдии киноактёров США. 9 июня 2009 года вышла её автобиография «Prairie Tale: A Memoir».

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