From Adoption to Stardom

Melissa Gilbert is cherished for her captivating performances and radiant charm. Yet, behind her smile lies an extraordinary origin story: as a newborn, she was placed for adoption by her biological parents, who prioritized their careers over parenthood.

Born on May 8, 1964, in a Los Angeles hospital that no longer exists, Melissa’s life took a dramatic turn just a day after her birth. Adopted by Barbara Crane and Paul Gilbert, she joined a loving family destined to shape her future.

Her biological parents, Kathy Wood and David Darlington, were a young engaged couple who chose to give her up for adoption. When Melissa later uncovered her roots, she learned her mother had been a dancer—not the celebrated ballerina she had imagined—and her father, a stock car racer, far removed from the scholarly figure she had envisioned.

Despite the challenging start, her adoptive home was filled with love and support.

Melissa’s adoptive parents were Paul Gilbert, a comedian and actor, and Barbara Crane, a dancer and actress. Their creative household nurtured Melissa’s artistic talents, laying the foundation for her career. However, life wasn’t without its struggles.

When Melissa was six, her parents divorced, and Barbara remarried an attorney. Tragedy struck in 1976 when Paul Gilbert passed away. Initially, it was believed he died of a stroke, but years later, Melissa learned the heartbreaking truth: he had taken his own life after battling chronic pain as a VA patient.

“I was 45 when I found out,” Melissa shared with CBS Sunday Morning in 2020. “It was a deeply hidden secret.” Despite this revelation, she fondly remembered him as a brilliant and loving father.

Melissa’s adoption story came to light around the same time as her father’s death. Her adoptive parents claimed her biological parents had been too focused on their careers to raise a child. However, Melissa’s memoir Prairie Tale revealed a more complex narrative: Kathy and David were both married to other people when they had her. With six children between them, they felt unable to care for a seventh.

Melissa also discovered her adoption had been unplanned. Her godmother Mitzi recounted how Barbara and Paul were unexpectedly offered a baby, and Paul immediately agreed, saying, “That’s the one. Go get it.”

Barbara’s casual recounting of this moment, even referring to Melissa as “it,” left a lasting impression on the actress.

By now, it’s clear this story is about Melissa Gilbert, best known as Laura Ingalls Wilder from Little House on the Prairie. Between the ages of 8 and 18, she grew up on the show’s set, finding a father figure in her on-screen dad, Michael Landon.

Though she now enjoys a serene life in the Catskills with her husband Tim Busfield, Melissa admits her past still lingers. Her mother’s admissions left unanswered questions. While Barbara claimed infertility struggles led to adoption, Melissa later realized both her parents were capable of having children.

“My father had a daughter from a previous marriage, and my mother had pregnancies after me,” she reflected. “Clearly, there was more to the story.”

Today, at 60, Melissa cherishes her rural lifestyle, tending to crops, renovating her home, and finding peace in simplicity. But the mysteries of her early life remain a poignant reminder of the complexities that shaped her extraordinary journey.