Melissa Gilbert Reveals Her Battle with Misophonia: Understanding the Sound Triggers Behind Her Struggle
Melissa Gilbert was born on May 8, in Los Angeles, California. She started as a toddler at the time of her widely watched show. She was given up for adoption soon after she was born and adopted by actor Paul Gilbert 1 and dancer Barbara Crane, the daughter of “The Honeymooners” creator Harry Crane. Gilbert, who was first introduced to the world of acting at an early stage, paved the way for her career path.
Young was the sister of her fellow “Little House on the Prairie” actor Jonathan Gilbert and half-sister to actress Sara Gilbert. The loss of her father forever marked her 11-year-old self.
| Name | Melissa Ellen Gilbert |
| Date of Birth | May 8, 1964 |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Occupation | Actress, television director, producer, politician |
| Notable Role | Laura Ingalls Wilder in Little House on the Prairie |
| Spouses | Bo Brinkman (1988-1992), Bruce Boxleitner (1995-2011), Timothy Busfield (2013-present) |
| Children | 2 biological children, 3 stepchildren |
| Parents | Paul Gilbert, Barbara Crane |
| Siblings | Jonathan Gilbert (brother), Sara Gilbert (half-sister) |
| Political Party | Democratic |
Gilbert’s Breakthrough and Early Work:
Gilbert began to make a name for herself in the late 1960s, appearing in hundreds of commercials and various guest roles on TV. She splashed in 1974 as the first Laura Ingalls Wilder on NBC’s “Little House on the Prairie. The actress appeared in 191 of the 205 episodes in which that character was featured throughout the series’ run until October 24, 1983. The part helped contribute to her household name status and critical accolades.
Post-Little House Career:
- Following “Little House,” Gilbert worked in television as an actress. Notable roles include:
- Jean Donovan when she was in the 1983 biopic Choices of the Heart.
- The role of Anna Sheridan in the Babylon 5 episode trilogy, “War Without End”, aired in March and May of 1996.
Batman: The Animated Series (Batgirl Voice).
Aside from her acting roles, Arngrim performed in the musical version of “Little House on the Prairie” from 2008 to 2010 and appeared competed on Dancing with the Stars also in 2012, where she placed fifth.
Political and Personal Life
Besides acting, Gilbert had a career as President of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) from 2001 to 2005. In addition, she briefly ran for political office in 2016 when the Florida-born performer decided to vie for U.S. Congress representing Michigan’s 8th district — before ultimately dropping out.
Personal Life:
In her personal life, Melissa married three times more or less successfully: to Bo Brinkman from 1988 to 1992 and Bruce Boxleitner, who she was with between 1995 and the beginning of this decade – during which they had a child together but finally ended divorce settlement by signing it over for $346 per month plus an additional amount beyond that which helped publicize their case later when he started another family outside America; then came Timothy Busfield whom she has been living happily ever after since late February. She has two children and three stepchildren. Gilbert had previously written about her struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction in a 2009 autobiography, “Prairie Tale: A Memoir. And at that in 2015, she had her breast implants removed for health.
Awards and Honors
Awards: Melissa Gilbert has been the recipient of several honours and awards for her work in entertainment, such as;
- Hollywood Walk of Fame: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1985)
- Western Performers Hall of Fame inductee 1998
Her lasting legacy within the television industry has been widely hailed as pioneering.
Trivia
- She is renowned for her signature sharp voice.
- 2016 – Handed a tear-jerking eulogy with her mentor, Patty Duke.
- Of the 500 girls to audition for Laura Ingalls, Gilbert’s screen test was the only one sent to NBC.
Melissa Gilbert remains a celebrated icon who will always be appreciated for her great works on-screen and off.
Latest News
Melissa Gilbert spoke about her life-long misophonia(leaving sights and sounds that incite strong emotions) of chewing, tapping and more. During her time on Little House, this sensitivity tended to leave Melissa feeling somewhat isolated. She felt deeply ashamed of how she responded to that person, and took it as evidence of the fact she was a trash monster.
Diagnosed and treated at the Duke Center for Misophonia and Emotional Regulation, she has effectively controlled her symptoms with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She is now looking to create education around the issue, and help others who may be struggling with depression.
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FAQ-
What is Melissa Gilbert doing now?
Melissa Gilbert is currently focused on her lifestyle brand, Modern Prairie, which supports modern, mature women with a community and shopping platform for home essentials and fashion. Residing on a farm in New York’s Catskill Mountains with her husband, Timothy Busfield, she enjoys a quieter life filled with quilting and time spent with her eight grandchildren. Her 2022 book, Back to the Prairie: A Home Remade, A Life Discovered, details her journey and reflections. Gilbert continues to advocate for awareness around misophonia, a sound-related disorder she has managed for years.
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