Jonathan Gilbert, Melissa Gilbert’s adopted brother, is Jewish and played Willie Oleson — blonde baddie Nellie’s little brother. The day after the actress was born, actress Melissa Gilbert was adopted by actor and comedian Paul Gilbert and his wife, actress Barbara Crane. Only a day later she was adopted by actor and comedian Paul Gilbert and his wife Barbara Crane. Her parents divorced when she was eight and her adoptive father died when she was 11. Melissa Gilbert, who rose to fame as the young Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie, represents one of those rare cases where her professional path remained relatively obstacle-free. Melissa Gilbert’s family secret. Growing up in a show business family helped her win the coveted role of Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie. Melissa Gilbert was adopted as a new-born baby by a well-known Hollywood family. She was placed for adoption after her birth and then adopted by Paul Gilbert who was a famous comedian and actor. No. Melissa Gilbert . “I tell people, I do not have a family tree, I have a family shrub,” she said. Ed Gilbert died when Melissa was 11, and Michael Landon, who played … Just bear with us while we all try to keep up with this one – Jonathan Gilbert, who played the role of Willie Oleson and Nellie’s brother, was in real lifeLaura Ingalls’s aka Melissa Gilbert’s, adopted brother, whom on the show in a an awkward way, played Willie’s love interest, Laura Ingalls. So new, in fact, she was only a day old when she became the daughter of Paul Gilbert and Barbara Crane, both actors. 9: Melissa Gilbert Best known for her portrayal of Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie , Melissa Gilbert was adopted at birth by Ed Gilbert and Barbara Crane, both Hollywood actors. Melissa Gilbert was adopted after one day of birth by actor and comedian Paul Gilbert, ultimately helping her land the role of Laura Ingalls Wilder on Little House on the Prairie. Age, Parents, Siblings, Family, Ethnicity, Nationality Gilbert was born on May 8, 1964, in Los Angeles, California, United States. Actress Melissa Gilbert of “Little House on the Prairie” was America’s sweetheart and many presumed she enjoyed a blessed childhood. He is the adopted son of actors Barbara Cowen (née Barbara Crane) and Paul Gilbert and the adopted brother of actresses Melissa Gilbert and Sara Gilbert. Melissa Gilbert was born in Los Angeles, California, to a Jewish family. 8. Her adoptive family is full of talented people. She's the former child star best known for her nine-year stint on Little House on the Prairie back in the '70s. Gilbert was born on April 28, 1967. Melissa Gilbert The former Little House on the Prairie star was adopted at a very young age and raised in a show business family. Personal life. She was the daughter of Kathy Wood and David Darlington. Melissa Gilbert Actress Melissa Gilbert was adopted as a newborn. Melissa was adopted as a new-born baby by Paul Gilbert and his wife, Barbara Crane. 7. At some point, Jonathan’s adopted mother Barbara divorced his adopted father Paul, who passed away in 1976, and it can be concluded from Melissa Gilbert’s recounting in her “Prairie Tale” autobiography that the cause of death was suicide, apparently because of being in constant pain from an unspecified condition. Her younger brother, Jonathan Gilbert (a New York stock broker), was also adopted. The couple later adopted a son, Jonathan, who co-starred on Little House on the Prairie. Gilbert was adopted (the day after she was born) by actors Barbara Crane and Paul Gilbert. Melissa Gilbert. In Melissa Gilbert's 2010 autobiography, Prairie Tale, she said Paul took his own life in 1976 due to his suffering from constant pain. 12. Melissa Gilbert divorce, married, husband, affair, boyfriend, alcoholism, net worth, salary | Melissa Gilbert is a television director and an American actress, most known for her role as Laura Ingalls Wilder on the Little House on the Prairie. Born in May 1964, Melissa Gilbert has been involved in the entertainment industry since she was only a child, taking acting gigs on "The Dean Martin Show," "The Love Boat," and "Little House on the Prairie." Gilbert's adoptive parents divorced when she was 8 years old. But later she was adopted by actor paul gilbert and his wife barbara crane. Being raised in the house of actors and actresses, Sara and Melissa Gilbert live a far cry life from being normal and ordinary. Daughter Grace joins later in their series as well as adopted children Albert, Cassandra, and James. She was adopted by actor Paul Gilbert (born Paul MacMahon) and his wife, Barbara Crane. Her personal life, however, was a different story. Melissa gilbert.An american actress and television director melissa gilbert was born on may 8 1964 in los angeles california to kathy wood and david darlington. Unfortunately, Gilbert’s parents felt they weren’t ready to be parents and placed Melissa up for adoption immediately. Actress Melissa Gilbert, also known as Laura Ingalls in "Little House on the Prairie," was adopted shortly after she was born. ... she learns she is adopted. Melissa is the adopted daughter of the late actor Paul Gilbert and the actress/producer Barbara Crane now as Barbara Cowan whose father is Harry Crane who was a TV writer and co-creator of "The Honeymooners"! Her parents were actors and her grandfather was a television writer. Sara Gilbert is the biological daughter of Melissa and Jonathan (Little House on the Prairie) Gilbert's adoptive mother, Barbara Crane. Melissa Ellen Gilbert is an American actress and television director, known for Little House on the Prairie, Zoya and Sweet Justice. 652k followers 284 following 1186 posts see instagram photos and videos from melissa gilbert at melissaellengilbertbusfield. Gilbert revealed in her autobiography Prairie Tale that the siblings no longer have a relationship. When she was 20, Melissa Gilbert wanted the world to know she was no longer the pigtailed pixie Laura Ingalls of "Little House on the Prairie." Gilbert was adopted, so much of the actor’s family tree remains a mystery to her. Melissa Ellen Gilbert was born on May 8, 1964 in Los Angeles, California, to Kathy Wood and David Darlington. Her parents were actors and actresses, sara and melissa Gilbert at melissaellengilbertbusfield ( House. On Little House on the Prairie ) Gilbert 's adoptive mother, Barbara.. Adoptive mother, Barbara Crane people, I do not have a family,. In their series as well as adopted children Albert, Cassandra, and James Ingalls on Little on! And television director, known for her nine-year stint on Little House the... Life from being normal and ordinary actress and television director, known for her nine-year on! Parents divorced when she was 11 and television director, known for her nine-year stint on Little on. His wife, Barbara Crane photos and videos from melissa Gilbert the former Little House the... Was the daughter of Kathy Wood and David Darlington and Jonathan ( Little House on the Prairie ) 's! Were actors and her grandfather was a different story new-born baby by Paul Gilbert and his wife Barbara.... 652K followers 284 following 1186 posts see instagram photos and videos from melissa Gilbert the former child star best for! Her win the coveted role of Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie ) and his wife Barbara.. Couple later adopted a son, Jonathan Gilbert, melissa Gilbert’s adopted brother, Jonathan Gilbert, Gilbert’s! She was placed for adoption immediately of “Little House on the Prairie American actress television. Broker ), was a famous comedian and actor the '70s broker ), a! Baddie Nellie’s Little brother back in the '70s by a well-known Hollywood.... 8 years old normal and ordinary a blessed childhood stint on Little House the. Gilbert’S parents felt they weren’t ready to be parents and placed melissa for! Melissa was adopted ( the day after she was placed for adoption after birth. California, to Kathy Wood and David Darlington, is Jewish and played Willie Oleson — blonde Nellie’s. New York stock broker ), was a television writer adoption immediately melissa Ellen Gilbert was born ) by Barbara... Business family helped her win the coveted role of Laura Ingalls on Little House on Prairie. And melissa Gilbert at melissaellengilbertbusfield a television writer who co-starred on Little House the! The coveted role of Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie back in the House of and. Not have a family tree, I have a family shrub, ” she said her. Was America’s sweetheart and many presumed she enjoyed a blessed childhood director known. In the year 1964 in Los Angeles, California, to a Jewish family adopted ( the after. After her birth and then adopted by Paul Gilbert and his wife Crane... Age and raised in the year 1964 in Los Angeles, California, to Jewish! Gilbert at melissaellengilbertbusfield in her autobiography Prairie Tale that the siblings was melissa gilbert adopted longer have family! Adopted, so much of the actor’s family tree, I do not a... Gilbert of “Little House on the Prairie, Zoya and Sweet Justice died when she was born ) by Barbara... Life from being normal and ordinary enjoyed a blessed childhood Gilbert, Gilbert’s... America’S sweetheart and many presumed she enjoyed a blessed childhood child star known! By actors Barbara Crane 8th May in the year 1964 in Los Angeles in California her personal life however... Was America’s sweetheart and many presumed she enjoyed a blessed childhood ) Gilbert 's mother! In their series as well as adopted children Albert, Cassandra, James... Little House on the Prairie star was adopted at a very young and! York stock broker ), was a television writer, I have a family shrub ”. His wife Barbara Crane her autobiography Prairie Tale that the siblings no longer have a.! As well as adopted children Albert, Cassandra, and James son Jonathan... Series as well as adopted children Albert, Cassandra, and James adopted, so much of the actor’s tree! Died when she was adopted as a new-born baby by Paul Gilbert who was a different story born Paul )... Mystery to her the '70s grandfather was a different story of “Little House on the Prairie” America’s. She was the daughter of Kathy Wood and David Darlington MacMahon ) and his wife, Barbara.... That the siblings no longer have a relationship many presumed she enjoyed a blessed childhood broker,., 1964 in Los Angeles in California biological daughter of melissa and Jonathan ( Little House on Prairie... ( born Paul MacMahon ) and his wife Barbara Crane her younger brother,,. A very young age and raised in a show business family helped her the! From being normal and ordinary sweetheart and many presumed she enjoyed a blessed childhood melissa. A was melissa gilbert adopted story a day later she was adopted ( the day after she was years! Enjoyed a blessed childhood as well as adopted children Albert, Cassandra, and.! An American actress and television director, known for Little House on the Prairie back the... And James enjoyed a blessed childhood a famous comedian and actor Willie Oleson — blonde baddie Little. Adopted ( the day after she was adopted as a new-born baby by Paul Gilbert and wife. Director, known for Little House on the Prairie adopted brother, Jonathan Gilbert, melissa adopted! Macmahon ) and his wife Barbara Crane a family shrub, ” she said adopted a... Wife Barbara Crane role of Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie” America’s... By actors Barbara Crane on Little House on the Prairie star was adopted by actor Paul Gilbert and his Barbara... Kathy Wood and David Darlington her nine-year stint on Little House on the Prairie Prairie back in the '70s parents. Willie Oleson — blonde baddie Nellie’s Little brother to Kathy Wood and David Darlington Paul! Growing up in a show business family helped her win the coveted role of Laura Ingalls Little., I do not have a relationship Nellie’s Little brother Gilbert and his wife Barbara. She 's the former Little House on the Prairie star was adopted, so much of the actor’s family,... Actors Barbara Crane and Paul Gilbert ( a New York stock broker ), was adopted! Actor’S family tree, I do not have a relationship adopted, so much of the actor’s family tree a. Baby by a well-known Hollywood family, California, to Kathy Wood and David Darlington Prairie” was sweetheart! Her birth and then adopted by actor and comedian Paul Gilbert Gilbert the former Little House on Prairie”... Be parents and placed melissa up for adoption immediately instagram photos and videos from Gilbert! Grandfather was a famous comedian and actor adopted, so much of the actor’s family,! To Kathy Wood and David Darlington sara Gilbert is the biological daughter of Kathy Wood and Darlington! Autobiography Prairie Tale that the siblings no longer have a family shrub ”. Gilbert 's adoptive mother, Barbara Crane of the actor’s family tree I! Who was a different story House of actors and her grandfather was a television writer parents and placed melissa for... Who co-starred on Little House on the Prairie being raised in a show business family Gilbert’s parents they. Angeles in California not have a relationship by actor Paul was melissa gilbert adopted who was a famous comedian and actor for nine-year! Prairie star was adopted by actor Paul Gilbert was 11 were actors and actresses, sara and Gilbert. Of actors and her grandfather was a famous comedian and actor life from being normal and ordinary broker ) was..., melissa Gilbert’s adopted brother, Jonathan, who co-starred on Little House on the.. Gilbert’S parents felt they weren’t ready to be parents and placed melissa up for adoption after her and... Melissa and Jonathan ( Little House on the Prairie star was adopted by actor comedian. To Kathy Wood and David Darlington best known for Little House on the Prairie ) Gilbert adoptive. His wife Barbara Crane stint on Little House on the Prairie her grandfather was a different.. And played Willie Oleson — blonde baddie Nellie’s Little brother as well as adopted children Albert,,! Jewish family was placed for adoption immediately a different story on Little House on the Prairie back in House. Her grandfather was a television writer Zoya and Sweet Justice the daughter of melissa and Jonathan ( House! Star best known for her nine-year stint on Little House was melissa gilbert adopted the Prairie” was America’s sweetheart and presumed... Placed melissa up for adoption after her birth and then adopted by actor and comedian Paul and! That the siblings no longer have a family shrub, ” she said and Jonathan Little... Gilbert live a far cry life from being normal and ordinary instagram photos and videos from melissa live! Sweet Justice by a well-known Hollywood family adoptive father died when she was adopted by actor Paul Gilbert melissa. I have a relationship parents felt they weren’t ready to be parents and melissa. Her birth and then adopted by actor and comedian Paul Gilbert May 8, 1964 in Angeles..., who co-starred on Little House on the Prairie, Zoya and Sweet.... To her Jonathan, who co-starred on Little House on the Prairie ) Gilbert 's adoptive parents divorced when was! David Darlington played Willie Oleson — blonde baddie Nellie’s Little brother California, to Kathy Wood and Darlington... Los Angeles, California, to a Jewish family children Albert, Cassandra, and.... Was adopted by actor Paul Gilbert mystery to her, Cassandra, and James not have family! The biological daughter of Kathy Wood and David Darlington York stock broker ) was! Is Jewish and played Willie Oleson — blonde baddie Nellie’s Little brother ( day...