After departing from Walnut Grove in 1981, prairie girl Melissa Sue Anderson swapped her dress for a bra and panties as the alluring slayer in the 1981 horror film, Happy Birthday to Me.
The young actress, who portrayed the sweet Mary Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie for seven seasons, grew weary of her character and sought a change.
“I was blind and dull…I couldn’t handle it anymore,” says the now 62-year-old woman about her famous role in the popular TV show. Keep reading to find out what this former child star has been doing since she left the prairie.
From season one through seven of Little House on the Prairie, Melissa Sue Anderson captured fans’ hearts as beautiful blonde Mary, eldest daughter of Charles and Caroline Ingalls. One of TV’s most successful dramas, Little House on the Prairie, narrates tales of the Ingalls family – with Michael Landon playing their father – living during the 1870s. The series featured several actors who became well-known later like Melissa Gilbert as Laura, Jason Bateman in his first role ever, and an eleven-year-old Shannen Doherty.
Anderson had previously appeared in one episode each of Bewitched and The Brady Bunch, landing her big sister role when she was just 11 years old.
The young star acted throughout seven seasons while viewers watched her evolve from a quiet girl into a strong young woman facing many hardships along her journey.
Tragedies
In season five, Mary’s character contracted scarlet fever which led to her becoming blind. This storyline became central over two more seasons where she married a blind teacher from school but faced losing a baby in a fire.
In 1978, she was nominated for an Emmy Award making history as only cast member recognized that way.
However Anderson shared that even though she felt proud about being part of such an iconic show; she started feeling exhausted by playing Mary.
“It’s not enjoyable,” she told People magazine. “When they run outta ideas someone asks ‘What can we do to Melissa Sue that’s really terrible?’”
In another interview Anderson mentioned: “It felt very restricting…I was blind and boring. Either I did nothing or went through some tragedy.”
She referred to Mary’s catatonic state after losing her baby saying: “It got too soap opera-like.”
Anderson left when she turned nineteen years old; appearing only briefly during season eight before moving on.
Life after leaving prairie life
In 1981—the same year she departed—Anderson starred in slasher flick, Happy Birthday to Me .
People described this new character as quite different from Mary Ingalls: “She drinks alcohols ,smokes weed , struts around wearing bra & panties while shoving beef brochette down an overly affectionate boyfriend’s throat.”
Since then although she’s had various small roles; transitioning into films didn’t bring success like she’d hoped for.
In 1990,she wed Michael Sloan—a writer/producer/director—and they have two kids together: daughter Piper born ’91 & son Griffin born ’96.
Instead chasing Hollywood fame,she chose parenting instead relocating family Canada back in ’02 .
“People recognized me but found it hard believing I’d actually live here,” said Anderson regarding Montreal life .“They were hesitant & rarely approached me . But I’ve never complained about recognition—it comes with our job.”
The magazine also mentions that there are no plans for returning back acting anytime soon .
In2010,she published autobiography titled The Way I See It : A Look Back at My Life On Little House sharing experiences from those days .
Even though she’s stepped away from limelight ,it’s tough not remembering youthful energy & charm brought onto Little House On The Prairie !
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