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Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert

Actor, also producer · Born May 8, 1964 (62) · Los Angeles, California, USA

Melissa Ellen Gilbert (born May 8, 1964) is an American actress, writer, and producer, primarily in movies and television. Gilbert is best known as a child actress who co-starred as Charles Ingalls's (played by Michael Landon) second daughter, Laura Ingalls Wilder, on the dramatic television series Little House on the Prairie (1974–1984). As an adult, she has a very long list of acting, voicework, writing, producing, and directing credits. Melissa also served two terms as President of the Screen Actors Guild. On June 9, 2009, her autobiography Prairie Tale: A Memoir was released.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 8, 1964 (62)
From
Los Angeles, California, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
44 on MovieCove · 78 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Up 21% in 30 days

What are Melissa Gilbert's films like?

Across their 31 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama25 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 30th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
33%
Self
19%
Survival
16%
Morality
14%
Society
12%
Power
3%
Ideas
2%
Family bonds15 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival5 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma4 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 30 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 28 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 18 · Intense 8

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 16 · Shifting 14 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 24 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 1

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 20 · Even-paced 10 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 21 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 4 · Affecting 12 · Heavy 14

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 27 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

30 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 21 of 30 analyzed roles.

Hero
21 of 30
Ally
6 of 30
Shapeshifter
1 of 30
Trickster
1 of 30
Mentor
1 of 30
Show the 30 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
17
Melancholic
15
Hopeful
18
Warm
11
Romantic
6
Other
17

How their films linger

Hopeful20 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteInfuriating3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy14
  • Bittersweet14
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Melissa Gilbert's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 28 of their 44 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (15).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Melissa Gilbert's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

78 credits, 44 with a MovieCove page; 23 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • When We Last Spoke(2019)

    as Ruby

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Guest Artist(2019)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Hometown Christmas(2018)

    as Mary Russell

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Secrets and Lies(2015)

    Show 5 episodes · as Lisa Daly

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Little House on the Prairie: A Merry Ingalls Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Laura Ingalls

  • When Calls the Heart(2014)

    Show 2 episodes · as Georgie McGill

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • The Christmas Pageant(2011)

    as Vera Parks

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Safe Harbour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Ophelia MacKenzie

  • Sacrifices of the Heart(2007)

    as Kate Weston / Anne Weston

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Thicker Than Water (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Natalie Travers

  • Fat Actress(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Melissa Gilbert

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all shows

  • Heart of the Storm(2004)

    as Cassie Broadbeck

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Hollywood Wives: The New Generation(2003)

    as Taylor Singer

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Nip/Tuck(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Shari Noble

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Presidio Med (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Grace Bennett

  • Sanctuary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Jo Ellen Hathaway

  • Lisa Picard Is Famous(2000)

    as Melissa Gilbert

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • A Vision of Murder: The Story of Donielle(2000)

    as Donielle

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Switched at Birth(1999)

    as Sarah Barlow

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • The Soul Collector(1999)

    as Rebecca

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Murder at 75 Birch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Gwen Todson

  • Providence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Lorna Berlin

  • Her Own Rules(1998)

    as Meredith Sanders

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Zoya(1995)

    as Zoya Ossipov

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Childhood Sweetheart?(1997)

    as Karen Carlson

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Seduction in a Small Town(1997)

    as Sarah Jenks

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • A Holiday for Love(1996)

    as Emma Murphy

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Me And My Hormones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Director

  • 7th Heaven(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Marie Wagner

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all shows

  • E! True Hollywood Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Outer Limits(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Teresa Janovitch

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Cries from the Heart(1994)

    as Karen

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Against Her Will: The Carrie Buck Story(1994)

    as Melissa Prentice

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Michelle Tanner

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Sweet Justice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 22 episodes · as Kate Delacroy

  • The Babymaker: The Dr. Cecil Jacobson Story(1994)

    as Mary Bennett

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Babylon 5(1993)

    Show 2 episodes · as Anna Sheridan

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • House of Secrets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Marion Ravinel

  • Shattered Trust: The Shari Karney Story(1993)

    as Shari Karney

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Dying to Remember (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Lynn Matthews

  • With Hostile Intent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Miranda Berkley

  • Family of Strangers(1993)

    as Julie

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • With a Vengeance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Gena King

  • Batman: The Animated Series(1992)

    Show 4 episodes · as Barbara Gordon (voice) · as Batgirl (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Stand By Your Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 7 episodes · as Rochelle Dumphy

  • The Hidden Room (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Lookalike (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Gina / Jennifer

  • Donor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Dr. Kristine Lipton

  • Joshua's Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Claudia

  • Forbidden Nights (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Judith Shapiro

  • Without Her Consent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Emily Briggs

  • Chameleons(1989)

    as (Uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Ice House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Kay

  • Killer Instinct (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Dr. Lisa DaVito

  • Blood Vows: The Story of a Mafia Wife(1987)

    as Marian

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Choices (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Terry Granger

  • Sylvester(1985)

    as Charlene "Charlie" Railsberg

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Snow Queen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Gerda

  • Family Secrets(1984)

    as Sara Calloway

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Little House: The Last Farewell(1984)

    as Laura Ingalls Wilder

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Little House: Bless All the Dear Children(1984)

    as Laura Ingalls Wilder

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Little House: Look Back to Yesterday(1983)

    as Laura Ingalls Wilder

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Choices of the Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Jean Donovan

  • Faerie Tale Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Gerda

  • Splendor in the Grass(1981)

    as Wilma Dean "Deanie" Loomis

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Diary of Anne Frank(1980)

    as Anne Frank

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Little House Years (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Laura Ingalls

  • The Miracle Worker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Helen Keller

  • Christmas Miracle in Caufield, U.S.A.(1977)

    as Kelly

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The Love Boat(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Rosemary Simpson

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • Little House on the Prairie(1974)

    Show 200 episodes · as Laura Ingalls

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Little House on the Prairie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Laura Ingalls

  • ABC Afterschool Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Emergency!(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Jenny

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • The Dean Martin Christmas Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Girl on Santa's Lap (uncredited)

  • The Reluctant Astronaut(1967)

    as Niece

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Gunsmoke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Spratts' Child

  • One Smart Fellow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Ellen

Career shape

Star power in the 80th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 78 titles, 77 of them dated from 1955 to 2020; peak year 1996.

Biggest box office

Sylvester (1985)

$386K worldwide

Highest rated

Little House: The Last Farewell (1984)

Midcredits 92nd

Most popular right now

Little House on the Prairie (1974)

Film career

19552020

Peak 1996 · steadily prominent in film for years. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting75 of 78: 75 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score50thDirecting2 of 78: 2 only directing, 0 with another roleProducing1 of 78: 1 only producing, 0 with another role

By decade

1950s1 · acting1960s2 · acting1970s8 · 7 acting · 1 crew1980s15 · acting1990s33 · 32 acting · 1 crew2000s11 · acting2010s6 · 5 acting · 1 crew2020s1 · acting

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Melissa Gilbert's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 46th percentile, the median of all 32; across their 30 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 44th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Approval · how many liked their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Reach · how many have seen their films

35thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Midcredits score across 44 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up12
  • 50th to 74th10
  • 25th to 49th14
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

22 of their 44 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Cult Classic9
  • Crowd Pleaser9
  • Mixed22

Most divisive · actor

Splendor in the Grass (1981)

87th percentile spread · 30% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Batman: The Animated Series (1992)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 64/100 in their films, across 30 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 38. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Melissa Gilbert work with?

People who share at least 2 of Melissa Gilbert's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Kevin Hagen shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers