Little House on the Prairie remains one of America’s most loved TV shows. This adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books aired from 1974 to 1983, following the Ingalls family as they built their lives on a small farm in Walnut Grove, Minnesota. The show starred Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert and helped launch many acting careers. Let’s see where the cast is today.
Melissa Gilbert (Laura Ingalls) – Then
Melissa Gilbert was adopted as a baby by actor Paul Gilbert and his wife, Barbara Crane. She started acting in commercials and won the role of Laura Ingalls over hundreds of young actresses. When Michael Landon passed away in 1991, she named her son after him.
Melissa Gilbert (Laura Ingalls) – Now
Now in her 60s, Melissa has done a lot since playing Laura. She was the president of the Screen Actors Guild, wrote a memoir called Prairie Tale, and even released a cookbook. She competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2012. In 2018, she and her husband, Timothy Busfield, bought a cottage in New York and have been renovating it.
Michael Landon (Charles Ingalls) – Then
Michael Landon became famous in Bonanza before taking on the role of Charles Ingalls. He was deeply involved in Little House on the Prairie, writing, directing, and producing many episodes.
Michael Landon (Charles Ingalls) – Now
After Little House, Landon created Highway to Heaven. He was a dedicated father to nine children. Sadly, he passed away in 1991 at age 54. Melissa Gilbert considered him a father figure.
Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls) – Then
Karen Grassle, born in 1942, started in theater before playing Caroline Ingalls. She later appeared in The Love Boat, Murder, She Wrote, and Wyatt Earp.
Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls) – Now
Now in her 80s, Karen shared her experiences in her 2021 memoir Bright Lights, Prairie Dust. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her son.
Melissa Sue Anderson (Mary Ingalls) – Then
Melissa Sue Anderson played Mary Ingalls, the eldest daughter. She won an Emmy for portraying Mary’s struggle with blindness.
Melissa Sue Anderson (Mary Ingalls) – Now
After Little House, she acted in The Equalizer and Murder, She Wrote and voiced a character in X-Men. She married writer Michael Sloan in 1990, and they live in Canada with their two children.
Lindsay & Sidney Greenbush (Carrie Ingalls) – Then
Carrie Ingalls was played by twin sisters Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush. They also appeared in commercials for brands like KFC and Mattel.
Lindsay & Sidney Greenbush (Carrie Ingalls) – Now
The twins left acting to focus on their studies, graduating in 1988. Lindsay married Daniel Sanchez in 2014, whom she first met on the Little House set.
Matthew Labyorteaux (Albert Ingalls) – Then
Matthew Labyorteaux played Albert, an orphan adopted by the Ingalls family. He later starred in The Red Hand Gang and Whiz Kids.
Matthew Labyorteaux (Albert Ingalls) – Now
Matthew transitioned to voice acting and even worked on Disney’s Mulan. In 2020, he married his wife Leslie and became a stepfather.
The Little House on the Prairie cast left a lasting impact, and their stories continue to inspire fans today.