Do you ever find yourself reminiscing about an old favorite show and wondering how the actors are doing long after it ended? If you were a fan of “Little House on the Prairie” and followed the adventures of the Ingalls family in Plum Creek near Walnut Grove, Minnesota, you might be curious about what the cast is up to these days.
One of the beloved stars of the show, Melissa Sue Anderson, captured the hearts of many as Mary Ingalls. Fans envisioned her staying in the spotlight through television, but Anderson had different plans.
In a surprising turn of events, Anderson decided to leave Hollywood behind and relocate to Canada. This decision came in 2007, after her family became Canadian citizens. Her motivation was to prioritize spending more time with her children and to ensure they didn’t feel pressured to follow in her footsteps into the entertainment industry.
Anderson’s choice to step away from show business was a significant one, particularly for those who cherished her portrayal of Mary Ingalls. It’s a reminder that life often takes unexpected turns, even for those we admire from our favorite TV shows.
In a recent interview, the actress expressed her aspiration to move to Canada and bid farewell to Hollywood.
Initially cast in supporting roles during her early acting endeavors, this actress catapulted into the spotlight with her pivotal role on “Little House on the Prairie.” Fans applauded her exceptional performance, which garnered her multiple nominations for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
In 2010, Anderson shared with Pop Entertainment her reflections on her journey filming the drama that propelled her into the spotlight, remarking, “I consider myself fortunate that there was a character to portray, as the book didn’t offer much in that regard.” When Laura [Ingalls] penned the iconic Little House novels, which formed the backbone of the television series and its narrative, she was in her later years, reflecting on cherished memories. The depth of the characters of Ma and Mary was not extensively explored in the source material. While Mary had a lesser presence, the focus remained on Laura, Pa, Jack the dog, and Mr. Edwards. Anderson expressed gratitude for the recognition of her acting abilities amidst this ensemble.
After exploring various small-scale occupations, Mary Ingalls tied the knot with television producer Michael Sloan in 1990. Their family, including two children named Griffin and Piper, relocated to Montreal in 2002.
In 2007, Melissa Anderson chose to step away from the entertainment industry after she and her spouse became citizens of Canada. Prioritizing family, she wished to dedicate more time to her children and ensure they didn’t feel pressured to follow in her footsteps in show business.
Piper, Melissa Anderson’s daughter, recently shared on Twitter that her mother had revealed in an interview with E-Talk, “I really stepped away for a long time.” This hiatus was primarily to allow her children to develop their own sense of identity, rather than constantly being in her shadow.
Anderson hasn’t completely abandoned acting; in recent times, he’s undertaken a handful of small roles. Her stint as a cast member on television classics such as “Little House on the Prairie” stirred something within her, leading her to pen a memoir titled “The Way I See It: A Look Back at My Life on Little House.”
Melissa Sue Anderson graced the closing ceremony of the 61st Monte Carlo TV Festival on June 21, 2022, in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo credit: Getty Images / Pascal Le Segretain.)
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