After Decades Apart, Melissa Gilbert and Melissa Sue Anderson Make Peace and End Their Longstanding Feud
Melissa Gilbert and Melissa Sue Anderson have finally put their decades-long feud behind them. The former “Little House on the Prairie” co-stars reunited over the weekend after more than 40 years apart.
The actresses, who played sisters Laura and Mary Ingalls on the NBC series, shared a special moment backstage at Gilbert’s off-Broadway show, “Pen Pals.” Gilbert posted a photo on Instagram, writing, “Worlds collide. Blessings abound. Hearts heal and reunite. Magic happens.”
Gilbert also shared that the reunion included meaningful conversations and a lot of laughter and tears. “One I’ve been keeping close to my heart for a while now. Reconnection with a sister. Long, healing talks. Lots of reminiscing. Lots of catching up. Lots of laughter and a few tears,” she wrote.
Gilbert added that she is thrilled Anderson is back in her life, saying, “Just us Ingalls girls. The best part is, the past is now just that and we can move forward as the sisters/friends we always wanted to be. What a wonderful Christmas gift.”
Both actresses have spoken in the past about their difficult relationship during filming. Anderson once said she had few memories of Gilbert, noting that “we were very, very different.”
Gilbert recalled that Anderson was strict on set, saying, “She took that absolutely seriously. She was two years older than me, which, you know, when you’re nine and 11 is a big deal … She was tough. I mean both off and on camera, but on camera especially.”
The tension between them included memorable moments during filming, such as Gilbert recounting an early episode where Anderson playfully whacked her, showing a mix of emotions on camera.
Despite these challenges, the show became a beloved classic, telling the story of the Ingalls family in 1800s Minnesota. Other cast members included Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, Dean Butler, and Richard Bull.
Now, with their feud behind them, Gilbert and Anderson can celebrate their shared history and look forward to a renewed friendship. A reboot of “Little House on the Prairie” is also in the works at Netflix, giving fans more reasons to celebrate the iconic series.
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