From Melissa Gilbert’s days as a model for commercials to her first lead role in Little House on the Prairie and many performances that followed, she has proven to be a mesmerizing performer. She was a child actress whose mastery in acting stood out among the numerous other children who aspired for a career in Hollywood.
More than five decades have passed, and Melissa Gilbert is still an icon in acting. If you’re wondering what her personal and professional life is like, here are some exciting things about her career, diet, workout routine, favorite things, net worth, and more.
Melissa Gilbert’s Career
Melissa Gilbert was born in Los Angeles. Her parents were newly engaged then and gave her up for adoption. Paul Gilbert and Barbara Crane adopted her the very next day.
Melissa Gilbert started her on-screen career with her appearances in television advertisements. And soon, she made her acting debut in the film, The Reluctant Astronaut in 1967. Her other movie roles include Nutcracker Fantasy, Sylvester, Safe Harbour, Ice House, and others.
Gilbert’s first role in a television series was her guest appearance in The Dean Martin Comedy Hour in 1968. She’s also had cameos in Tenafly, The Hidden Room, Babylon 5, The Outer Limits, Touched by an Angel, 7th Heaven, The Night Shift, and other television series.
Melissa Gilbert got her introductory lead role in the series Little House on the Prairie. She played Laura Ingalls in the historical drama that aired from 1974 to 1983. Following it, Gilbert had lead roles in Stand by Your Man and Sweet Justice.
Melissa Gilbert’s television career also consists of her roles in television films such as The Miracle Worker, Choices of the Heart, Choices, Killer Instinct, The Lookalike, Dying to Remember, The Soul Collector, Hometown Christmas, and many others.
Melissa is also known for competing in the 14th season of Dancing with the Stars, in which she was partnered with Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
Moreover, Melissa Gilbert served as the Screen Actors Guild president from 2001 to 2005.
Melissa Gilbert’s most recent acting role was in the 2019 film When We Last Spoke. And in 2021, she also had a voice role in the podcast Marvel Wastelanders: Black Widow.
Melissa Gilbert’s Height and Weight
Melissa Gilbert’s slim figure has her looking ravishing in every glamorous outfit she wears. Her height is 5 feet 3 inches or 160 cm (1.60 m), and she weighs only 58 kg or 128 pounds.
Melissa Gilbert stays slim by sticking to a low-fat diet. But sometimes, she also indulges in junk food when she is too tempted. Overall, she views eating healthy as a lifestyle.
Melissa Gilbert’s Dating History
Initially, Melissa Gilbert was publicly in a relationship with Rob Lowe. The couple ended their relationship after the Little House on the Prairie actress’s unexpected pregnancy. They felt they were too young to get married or start a family.
Following their split, Melissa Gilbert married Bo Brinkman in 1988 and welcomed a child in 1989. But the pair soon split up in 1992.
Gilbert’s next relationship was with Bruce Boxleitner, who was her teenage crush. The pair got engaged two times, and Bruce Boxleitner called it off both times before the pair finally married in 1995.
Melissa Gilbert and Bruce Boxleitner split up in 2011 and share a child from the reunion.
Currently, Melissa Gilbert is married to Timothy Busfield, with whom she had her nuptials in 2013.
- Full Born Name: Melissa Ellen Gilbert
- Nickname: Missy and Mel
- Occupation: Actress
- Religion: Jewish
- Date of Birth: 8 May 1964
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
- Zodiac Sign: Taurus
- Father Name: David Darlington
- Mother Name: Kathy Wood
- Siblings’ Names: None
- Spouse: Timothy Busfield (m. 2013), Bruce Boxleitner (m. 1995–2011), and Bo Brinkman (m. 1988–1994)
- Children: Dakota Brinkman and Michael Boxleitner
Melissa Gilbert’s Body Measurements
There is no doubt that Melissa Gilbert looks enticing as she boasts a stunning curvy figure. Her perfect body measurements are 38-27-38 in or 97-69-97 cm.
Melissa Gilbert, who was a contestant on Dancing with the Stars, undoubtedly enjoys dancing and considers it a great workout. She also has fun exercising.
Melissa Gilbert’s Ample Bosom
Melissa Gilbert saw large busts as a sign of attractiveness and got breast implants. However, with or without the implants, she always looks sexy. Her breast size is 38 inches, and her bra size is 36B with a cup size of B.
Melissa Gilbert attended the 2003 Screen Actor Guild Awards in an elegant dress. The shimmery attire’s deep neckline gave her a seductive appearance bringing attention to her perfectly shaped bosom.
| Height | 5 feet 3 inches or 160 cm (1.60 m) |
| Weight | 58 kg or 128 pounds |
| Breast Size | 38 inches |
| Bra Size | 36B |
| Cup Size | B |
| Body Measurements | 38-27-38 in or 97-69-97 cm |
| Figure | Curvy |
| Chest Size | 38 inches or 97 cm |
| Waist Size | 27 inches or 69 cm |
| Hips Size | 38 inches or 97 cm |
| Shoe Size | 7 (US) or 37.5 (EU) or 4.5 (UK) |
| Dress Size | 8 (US) or 40 (EU) or 12 (UK) |
| Eyes Color | Hazel |
| Hair Color | Auburn |
| Natural breasts or implants | Implants |
Did Melissa Gilbert Have Any Plastic Surgeries?
Melissa Gilbert’s acting career impacted her body image significantly. She was under the impression that she had to look a certain way to be considered beautiful.
Thus Melissa Gilbert went ahead and had multiple cosmetic treatments such as breast augmentations, rhinoplasty, botox, and fillers.
But as Melissa Gilbert got older, she was not excited about her plastic surgeries, so she had her implants removed.
Since Melissa Gilbert’s realization, she has avoided all sorts of cosmetic procedures. She has now decided to age naturally.
Melissa Gilbert’s Net Worth
Melissa Gilbert, who began performing when she was a kid, is only going stronger after her decades of acting. The years of experience have made her more skilled and added to her net worth, which is estimated to be $500 thousand as of 2022.
Melissa Gilbert’s Most Loved Things
- Favorite Activities: Dancing, Horse Riding, Playing Football, and Throwing a Frisbee
- Favorite Meal: Breakfast
- Favorite Actor: Michael Landon
Melissa Gilbert’s Most Notable Awards And Nominations
- Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Special, The Miracle Worker (1980) – Nominated
- Golden Globe Award: Best Actress – Television Series Drama, Little House on the Prairie (1981) – Nominated
- Young Artist Award: Best Young Actress in a Drama Series, Little House on the Prairie (1983)
- Young Artist Award: Best Young Actress in a Drama Series, Little House on the Prairie (1984)
- TV Land Awards: Most Memorable Kiss, Little House on the Prairie (2006)
Fun Facts About Melissa Gilbert
Melissa Gilbert named her son Michael Garrett after Michael Landon and in memory of her friend’s son, Garrett Peckinpah, who died young.
More than five hundred child actors tried out for the Laura Ingalls role that Melissa Gilbert portrayed on Little House on the Prairie.
Melissa Gilbert brought the fiddle used in The Little House on the Prairie on eBay.
What face shape does Melissa Gilbert have?
Melissa Gilbert has an oval-shaped face. Her face frame is well-suited for both center and side partition hairstyles.
What is Melissa Gilbert’s hair color?
Melissa Gilbert has auburn-colored hair. It gives her skin a glowy appearance.
What color eyes does Melissa Gilbert have?
Melissa Gilbert’s eyes are hazel. They look appealing under her auburn shade eyebrows.
Did Melissa Gilbert have braces?
Melissa Gilbert wore braces growing up. The Little House on the Prairie makeup artist used white candle wax to hide her braces.
Did Melissa Gilbert win an Emmy?
Melissa Gilbert has not won an Emmy yet. But she did get nominated for a Primetime Emmy.
Does Melissa Gilbert play the Violin?
Melissa Gilbert does not play the violin. She only practiced how to pretend that she is actually playing one.
Does Melissa Gilbert ride a Horse?
Melissa Gilbert does ride horses. It is one of her favorite hobbies.
Is Melissa Gilbert in Yellowstone?
Melissa Gilbert is not in Yellowstone.
Where does Melissa Gilbert live?
Melissa Gilbert lives in a cottage in the Catskill Mountains, located in New York.
Melissa Gilbert initially rose to prominence with her leading role in Little House on the Prairie. Vanessa Marcil is another actress who first became popular with her main role in the television series General Hospital. She also had lead roles in Las Vegas and other great series.
