Melissa Gilbert Recounts Reunion with Biological Father
Melissa Gilbert, the former child star known for her role as Laura Ingalls Wilder on “Little House on the Prairie,” recently shared an emotional story on a podcast hosted by her co-star, Patrick Labyroux. She revealed that after she gave birth to her son Dakota in 1989, her biological father, seeing her on television, recognized her as his child.
Gilbert recounted their first encounter: “I didn’t mention who I was, and he simply asked, ‘Well, who are you? What do you do?’” To which she replied, “Well, have you ever seen ‘Little House on the Prairie?’” His response, “You’re Laura, right?” showed he knew who she was all along.
At 61, Gilbert reflected on the strong family resemblance she noticed when she eventually met her half-brother, “We all looked alike—it was pretty clear.” Labyroteaux, who is also adopted, related to her experience, sharing that he never got to meet his birth mother, as she passed before he could find her.
Gilbert also delved into her background, noting that both her adopted parents were in the entertainment industry. Her biological mother was an exotic dancer while her father participated as a stock car racer and musician. She noted that it seemed innate for her to enter showbiz, saying, “It was clearly in me… a mix of genetic and environmental influences.”
Describing her past, Gilbert mentioned how, after “Little House” wrapped, fans sometimes struggled to see her beyond her childhood role. “It was kind of odd,” she admitted. “I still have people expect me to be that 12-year-old girl with a fishing rod even in my late 30s, and it felt suffocating at times.”
Reflecting on her childhood in Hollywood, she commented on how the set was quite nurturing for young actors, saying, “We were sheltered from a lot, even if we were blissfully unaware of adult issues surrounding us.” Despite those protections, she ultimately felt the pull of Hollywood expectations. By the time she was 22, Gilbert took a bold step—she moved to New York City for off-Broadway roles, a significant change for someone raised in showbiz. “It was overwhelming, really,” she shared, recalling how little she knew about everyday life. “I had to learn everything—like how to break a $100 bill without going to the bank.”
Now, looking back, Gilbert expressed relief at having left that world behind. “I realized I needed to age gracefully and step away from Hollywood,” she said, adding how her marriage to actor Timothy Basfield in 2013 led them to settle down in Michigan, where she felt freer. “I stopped dyeing my hair and underwent some health changes. I really wanted to become the healthiest version of myself.”
Today, Gilbert describes her life as “incredibly fulfilling.” While she acknowledges the downsides of aging, like sore ankles and skin changes, she embraces it. “Aging isn’t easy, but it beats the alternative,” she concluded, truly appreciating the life she’s built outside the pressures of the entertainment industry.
