How often do you recall an old television show and ponder about the current endeavors of the actors after numerous years have passed by? It’s likely that many among you, who followed the journey of the family residing on a farm in Plum Creek near Walnut Grove, Minnesota, in the beloved series “Little House on the Prairie,” are curious about the present activities of the actors.
Enthusiastic followers of the character Mary Ingalls portrayed by the talented Melissa Sue Anderson anticipated her continued presence on their screens, only to realize that she had different plans. Today, she reflects on her choice to bid farewell to Hollywood and relocate to Canada.
Commencing her acting journey with guest appearances, this actress gradually made her mark in the entertainment industry by becoming a prominent figure in “Little House on the Prairie.” Her exceptional performances earned her multiple nominations for the Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and her fans acknowledged her worthy of the recognition.
Recalling her involvement in the iconic drama that propelled her into the limelight, Anderson shared with Pop Entertainment in 2010, “I consider myself fortunate to have embodied a character in such a significant manner, as the source material – the ‘Little House’ novels by Laura Ingalls, around which the series revolved – did not extensively feature my character. Laura was reminiscing about the peak moments of her life, with the focus primarily on relationships like those with Pa, Jack the dog, and Mr. Edwards, rather than Ma and Mary. I am grateful that my acting abilities were recognized and I found a character to portray.”
Following her portrayal of Mary Ingalls, she dabbled in minor roles before tying the knot with television producer Michael Sloan in 1990. Subsequently, in 2002, the couple, accompanied by their daughter Piper and son Griffin, made the move to Montreal where they eventually became Canadian citizens in 2007.
Embracing their new life in Canada brought forth fresh obligations, leading Anderson to make the decision to distance herself from the entertainment industry. This choice stemmed from her desire to allocate more time to her children and shield them from any pressure to pursue acting careers themselves.
Despite her retreat from the limelight, Anderson did not completely abandon acting but instead opted for sporadic appearances in recent years. Her transformative journey on a series like “Little House on the Prairie” inspired her to pen a memoir entitled “The Way I See It: A Look Back at My Life on Little House.”
Noteworthy moments including attending the closing ceremony of the 61st Monte Carlo TV Festival on June 21, 2022 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco remain significant in Melissa Sue Anderson’s life.
