About
"I went in and I remember doing the screen test … I did a scene with Michael [Landon] about him not being sorry that Jack drowned, and looking up at the stars. And I remember, clear as anything, the two of us doing the scene and him looking at me with tears in his eyes. And, I choke up just talking about it, instantly bringing me to tears. Which made it so, it was just so easy. It, I didn't know at the time, was the beginning of what we would be able to do to each other on camera for all those years. There was some sort of symbiotic connection there. I found out later, many, many years later, that when it came time to take the screen test to the network, he only took mine. 'Cause he knew. He didn't give them any other choices. He just said, 'That's Laura. That's Half Pint.'"
In her three-hour interview, Melissa Gilbert discusses her career as an actress/producer/director. She shares stories of her famous grandfather, Honeymooners creator Harry Crane, and recalls her early foray into acting in television commercials. Gilbert then details her time playing "Laura Ingalls" on the much-beloved series Little House on the Prairie. She describes working with Michael Landon, and recounts memorable episodes, including "The Lord is My Shepherd," "Laura Ingalls Wilder," in which her character gets married, and the series finale, "The Long Farewell." Gilbert talks of playing Helen Keller in the TV movie The Miracle Worker, for which she was nominated for an Emmy, discusses playing the title role in the made-for-television movie, The Diary of Anne Frank, and speaks of her production company, Half-Pint Productions. She also describes her directorial debut on the after-school special, Me and My Hormones. Amy Harrington conducted the interview on April 18, 2011 in Tarzana, CA.
Highlights
Melissa Gilbert on her grandfather Harry Crane, creator of The Honeymooners
Melissa Gilbert on "Laura Ingalls Wilder" episode of Little House on the Prairie where her character gets married
Melissa Gilbert on the final episode of Little House on the Prairie, "The Last Farewell" and blowing up the set
Melissa Gilbert on being nominated for an Emmy for The Miracle Worker
Melissa Gilbert on running for and becoming SAG President
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On her early years and being adopted; on her grandfather Harry Crane, creator of The Honeymooners; on her childhood in the Valley; on deciding to be an actress and how she got involved in the business - started in commercials
On her first TV role - on Gunsmoke; on appearing on Emergency; on appearing on Dean Martin's Christmas Special
On getting cast as Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie; on Michael Landon's fabulous hair; on the premise of Little House on the Prairie; on her character "Laura Ingalls"; on how closely the TV series followed the books; on how she learned she won the role
On Michael Landon's importance to the show; on Michael Landon getting disillusioned with the series and leaving the show; on "Laura Ingall's" style
Chapter 2
On the production schedule for Little House on the Prairie; on realizing she was famous and on her fans; on reactions from peers
On specific episodes of Little House on the Prairie: "The Lord is My Shepherd," and "Laura Ingalls Wilder;" on finding out the show was canceled; on the final episode of the show, "The Last Farewell;" on the legacy of Little House on the Prairie; on Michael Landon's impact on the industry; on Production Manager Kent McCray
On doing talk shows as a child; on doing an episode of Fernwood 2-Night; on appearing on Hollywood Squares as a child and as an adult; on appearing on Battle of the Network Stars; on becoming a spokesperson for the Action Drug Prevention Program
On starting Half-Pint Productions; on playing "Helen Keller" in the play and TV movie, The Miracle Worker; on being nominated for an Emmy for The Miracle Worker; on starring in and producing Diary of Anne Frank
Chapter 3
On the TV movie Splendor in the Grass; on Choices with George C. Scott; on the sitcom Stand by Your Man; on doing the voice for "Batgirl" on the animated Batman series; on the short-lived series Sweet Justice; on appearing on Babylon 5
On directing the after-school special Me and My Hormones; on serving as President of the Screen Actors Guild; on 9/11 happening in the middle of her SAG campaign for President; on her responsibilities as SAG President; on attempts to merge SAG and AFTRA; on the mission of SAG
On appearing on Touched By an Angel, and Nip/Tuck; on playing "Ma" in "Little House: The Musical;" on advice to aspiring actors; on advice to sister Sara Gilbert when she started acting; on the highlight of her career; on upcoming projects - books she's written
Shows
Babylon 5
Melissa Gilbert on appearing on Babylon 5
Batman
Melissa Gilbert on doing the voice for "Batgirl" on the animated Batman series
Battle of the Network Stars
Melissa Gilbert on appearing on Battle of the Network Stars
Dean Martin Show, The
Melissa Gilbert on visiting her grandfather Harry Crane at The Dean Martin Show
Diary of Anne Frank, The
Melissa Gilbert on starring in and producing Diary of Anne Frank
Emergency!
Melissa Gilbert on appearing on Emergency
Fernwood 2 Night
Melissa Gilbert on doing an episode of Fernwood 2-Night
Gunsmoke
Melissa Gilbert on her first TV role - on Gunsmoke
Hollywood Squares, The
Melissa Gilbert on appearing on Hollywood Squares and dining with Paul Lynde
Little House on the Prairie
Melissa Gilbert on getting cast as Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie
Melissa Gilbert on the premise of Little House on the Prairie
Melissa Gilbert on her role on Little House on the Prairie
Melissa Gilbert on the production schedule for Little House on the Prairie
Melissa Gilbert on "The Lord is My Shepherd"episode of Little House on the Prairie
Melissa Gilbert on the final episode of Little House on the Prairie, "The Last Farewell"
Little House on the Prairie: "The Last Farewell"
Melissa Gilbert on the final episode of Little House on the Prairie, "The Last Farewell"
Little House on the Prairie: "The Lord is My Shepherd"
Melissa Gilbert on "The Lord is My Shepherd"episode of Little House on the Prairie
Miracle Worker, The
Melissa Gilbert on playing "Helen Keller" in The Miracle Worker
Nip/Tuck
Melissa Gilbert on appearing on Nip/Tuck
Stand By Your Man
Melissa Gilbert on the sitcom Stand by Your Man - one of FOX's first sitcoms
Sweet Justice
Melissa Gilbert on the short-lived series Sweet Justice
Touched By an Angel
Melissa Gilbert on appearing on Touched By an Angel
Topics
9/11
Melissa Gilbert on 9/11 happening in the middle of her SAG campaign for President
Characters & Catchphrases
Melissa Gilbert on playing "Laura Ingalls" on Little House on the Prairie
Melissa Gilbert on her character "Laura Ingalls" on Little House on the Prairie
Emmy Awards
Melissa Gilbert on being nominated for an Emmy for The Miracle Worker
Fame and Celebrity
Melissa Gilbert on realizing she was famous; on her fans
Professions
Actress
Melissa Gilbert on how she got involved in acting
Genres
Drama Series
Melissa Gilbert on getting cast as Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie
Melissa Gilbert on "The Lord is My Shepherd"episode of Little House on the Prairie
Game Shows
Melissa Gilbert on appearing on Hollywood Squares and dining with Paul Lynde
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
Melissa Gilbert on working with Patty Duke on The Miracle Worker
Melissa Gilbert on the TV movie Splendor in the Grass
Melissa Gilbert on Choices with George C. Scott
People
Ernest Borgnine
Melissa Gilbert on "The Lord is My Shepherd"episode of Little House on the Prairie
Bruce Boxleitner
Melissa Gilbert on appearing on husband Bruce Boxleitner's series Babylon 5
Melissa Gilbert on appearing on Touched By an Angel with husband Bruce Boxleitner
Robert Conrad
Melissa Gilbert on her Battle of the Network Stars coach Bob Conrad
Harry Crane
Melissa Gilbert on her grandfather Harry Crane, creator of The Honeymooners
Patty Duke
Melissa Gilbert on working with Patty Duke on The Miracle Worker
Melissa Gilbert on Patty Duke's support when Gilbert served on the SAG board and as President
Sara Gilbert
Melissa Gilbert on advice to sister Sara Gilbert when she started acting
Valerie Harper
Melissa Gilbert on running for and becoming SAG President, running against Valerie Harper
Katherine Helmond
Melissa Gilbert on her first TV role - on Gunsmoke, as Katherine Helmond's daughter
Michael Landon
Melissa Gilbert on her grandfather calling Michael Landon
Melissa Gilbert on Michael Landon
Melissa Gilbert on Michael Landon telling her something she needed to hear in order to get through a scene
Melissa Gilbert on Michael Landon
Melissa Gilbert on Michael Landon creating a reasonable, comfortable work schedule
Melissa Gilbert on "The Lord is My Shepherd"episode of Little House on the Prairie
Melissa Gilbert on Michael Landon's impact on the industry
Paul Lynde
Melissa Gilbert on appearing on Hollywood Squares and dining with Paul Lynde
Garry Marshall
Melissa Gilbert on Garry Marshall being her grandfather's assistant
Dean Martin
Melissa Gilbert on visiting her grandfather Harry Crane at The Dean Martin Show
Melissa Gilbert on appearing on Dean Martin's Christmas Special
Kent McCray
Melissa Gilbert on Production Manager Kent McCray
Dennis Miller
Melissa Gilbert on going on Dennis Miller's talk show to promote Stand by Your Man
Rosie O'Donnell
Melissa Gilbert on working with Rosie O Donnell Stand by Your Man
Laurence Olivier
Melissa Gilbert on Laurence Olivier being on the set of Diary of Anne Frank
Michelle Pfeiffer
Melissa Gilbert on Michelle Pfeiffer in the TV movie Splendor in the Grass
Joan Plowright
Melissa Gilbert on starring in and producing Diary of Anne Frank
Nancy Reagan
Melissa Gilbert on becoming a spokesperson for the Action Drug Prevention Program
Boris Sagal
Melissa Gilbert on starring in and producing Diary of Anne Frank, directed by Boris Sagal
George C. Scott
Melissa Gilbert on Choices with George C. Scott
Cicely Tyson
Melissa Gilbert on the short-lived series Sweet Justice
Dennis Weaver
Melissa Gilbert on appearing on Dean Martin's Christmas Special with Dennis Weaver