How often do you find yourself reminiscing about an old TV show you loved and wondering what happened to the actors? For those who were fans of “Little House on the Prairie,” and looked forward to the adventures of the family living on the farm in Plum Creek near Walnut Grove, Minnesota, you’re probably curious about where the actors are today.
Fans of Melissa Sue Anderson, who played the lovely Mary Ingalls, might have expected her to remain a constant presence on their TV screens. However, she charted a different course.
Today, Melissa Sue Anderson talks about her decision to leave Hollywood for Canada.
The talented actress began her career with guest roles before she made her mark by becoming a pivotal part of “Little House on the Prairie.” Her portrayal earned her nominations for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series, much to the delight of her devoted fans who believed she truly deserved the recognition.
Reflecting on her time filming the iconic show, Anderson shared with Pop Entertainment in 2010, “I’m lucky that there even was a character to play, because in the book, there isn’t much of one. Laura [Ingalls, the author of the Little House novels and whom the series was centered around] was significantly older when she wrote the books. She remembered the highlights of her life, mostly focusing on Laura and Pa. Thankfully, the show’s creators realized I could act, which gave Mary more depth and presence.”
After her success as Mary Ingalls, Anderson explored other minor roles. Then, in 1990, she married television producer Michael Sloan. By 2002, they had moved to Montreal with their two children, Piper and Griffin.
In 2007, the entire family became Canadian citizens. With this new chapter, Anderson embraced new priorities, choosing to focus on her children and ensuring they felt no pressure to follow in her acting footsteps.
In an interview with E-Talk, Anderson explained, “I really stepped away for a long time. That was really for the kids so they would have their own sense of who they were as opposed to being with me.”
However, Anderson didn’t quit acting entirely. Over the years, she accepted smaller roles while cherishing her experience on “Little House on the Prairie.” Her profound journey on the show inspired her to write a memoir titled The Way I See It: A Look Back at My Life on Little House.
We hope you enjoyed this look back at Melissa Sue Anderson’s life. Please share this article with your family and friends!
