Actress Melissa Gilbert is honoring her late Little House on the Prairie co-star Michael Landon in celebration of his 90th birthday.
On October 31, Gilbert, who played Laura Ingalls Wilder, took to her Instagram account to share photos of her and Landon, taken during the filming of Little House on the Prairie, which had a nine-season run until 1983.
In the caption of the post, Gilbert mused how Landon, who died in 1991 at the age of 54, would have felt about turning 90.
“Ninety years. I wonder what you would think of that. I can almost hear your laugh, see that enchanting twinkle in your eyes, and feel your arms around me,” wrote Gilbert, who was nine during her first season of playing Landon’s character, Charles “Pa” Ingalls’ daughter. “I was just a little girl when you took my hand and changed my life forever. You taught me so much more than how to be a professional. You taught me to be brave, to trust myself, to find humor in the hardest moments, and to lead with my heart. So much time has passed. The little girl with the braids has silver in her hair now. She’s a wife, mother and grandmother, but she still lives inside me, and she still misses you so much.”
Gilbert then shared that she wished she could spend more time with her on-screen father.
“I wish we could sit together and reminisce about all the fun we had and the work we did. I wish we could say all the things we never got the chance to say. You weren’t my father, but you did help raise me. So much of who I am began with you,” stated Gilbert.
She also noted that Landon had served as one of the show’s executive producers, writers, and directors.
“On what would have been your 90th birthday, I find myself thinking less about how long you’ve been gone and more about how much of you remains. The legacy of your wonderful work, but more importantly, the legacy of the beautiful family you created,” wrote Gilbert. “Oh Mike, you would be so proud of all of them. As for me, in my heart, I’ll always be that little girl running down a grassy hill, knowing you’re there to catch me.”
She concluded her tribute by referencing Pa’s nickname for Laura, Half-Pint.
“Happy birthday, Pa. I love you. Your Half-Pint,” read the end of the caption.
Fans Shared They Appreciated Melissa Gilbert’s Tribute
Several fans took to the post’s comments section to share that they appreciated Gilbert’s tribute to Landon.
“He was like my father too I cried buckets of tears when he died. It was like my own father died. What you all did with that show has never been replicated. Happy heavenly birthday to Michael ???,” wrote a commenter.
“I didn’t have a father. He was like my Pa, too. Still is. Happy Birthday, Pa. ❤️ Thank you, Melissa. ❤️,” added another.
“Still watching re-runs, on everyday here in England. I am 71, my daughters are in their 40/50s and they watch and love them too! Happy heavenly birthday Michael. ❤️,” shared a different person.
“Well, that made me cry. What a beautiful tribute to a beloved man. ❤️,” commented a fan.
Melissa Gilbert Recalled Michael Landon Pulling Pranks on the ‘Little House’ Set
During a February 2025 interview on The Edify Show, Gilbert shared that Landon enjoyed pulling pranks on the Little House on the Prairie set. She recalled Landon requesting that she find him frogs for him to place in his mouth to scare other actors during the show’s production.
“He’d lean over and go, ‘Half Pint, get me one.’ And so I go down to the pond, and I get a couple frogs. And he put them in his mouth,” said Gilbert. “And usually he did it when there were, you know, women on the set just kind of standing there ogling, because, you know, he’s walking around without his shirt on and his pa pants and his boots and his suspenders. And they’re all sort of swooning in the corner, and he’d walk over and go, ‘Hi!’ Frogs would jump out.”
Hence then, the article about melissa gilbert pays moving tribute to little house co star michael landon on what would have been his 90th birthday was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Melissa Gilbert Pays Moving Tribute to ‘Little House’ Co-Star Michael Landon on What Would Have Been His 90th Birthday )
Also on site :
- How to Watch Levante vs Atletico Madrid Live: Full Match Details
- Welcome to the school where Gen Z learns philanthropy as billionaire wealth explodes—with a 100% job placement rate
- Iran Braces for More War, No Matter the Outcome of the U.S. and Israeli Elections