Melissa Sue Anderson was born on September 26, 1962, in Berkeley, California, USA. She is widely recognized for her portrayal of Mary Ingalls in the iconic television series “Little House on the Prairie” during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
As for Melissa Sue Anderson’s net worth, the exact figure is currently undisclosed. However, sources indicate that as of late 2018, her net worth was estimated to be around $1.5 million. This wealth was amassed through a successful career in the entertainment industry, encompassing various film and television projects. Given her ongoing ambitions, it’s foreseeable that her financial standing will continue to grow.
Melissa Sue’s journey in entertainment began at an early age. Born as the younger of two siblings, her family relocated from the San Francisco Bay area to Los Angeles when she was a child. However, her life took a turn at the age of 13 when her parents divorced, and she was primarily raised by her Roman Catholic mother.
Her path to stardom started when her teacher recognized her potential and advised her parents to seek out an agent while she was pursuing dance lessons. This decision resulted in her early appearances in various advertisements, such as those for Mattel and Sears.
Her television career took off soon after, with offers pouring in for roles in popular shows. She made her debut with a guest appearance on an episode of “Bewitched.” Subsequently, she played the role of Millicent, a girl who shared a kiss with Bobby in “The Brady Bunch.” During the same year, she also made an appearance in an episode of “Shaft.”
These early television roles paved the way for her most iconic role in “Little House on the Prairie.” Her commitment to the show lasted for eight years, with the series revolving around the lives of a farm family during the 1870s and 1880s.
After the conclusion of “Little House on the Prairie,” Melissa Sue Anderson’s career took a different direction. In the year following her departure from the beloved series at the end of its seventh season, she earned a nomination for her role in the horror film “Happy Birthday to Me.”
She continued to expand her horizons by delving into the world of film and television. Her roles included appearances in projects like “The Equalizer,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and “CHiPs.”
Additionally, she ventured into production, taking on the role of an associate producer for a 1990 television episode titled “Where Pigeons Go to Die,” which marked Michael Landon’s final film.
In recognition of her contributions to the Western genre, she was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame in 1998. The following year, she took on a role in the television sitcom “Partners,” although the show faced challenges during its run.
In the later stages of her career, Melissa Sue Anderson shifted her focus away from acting. One of her notable television appearances during this period was in the 2006 miniseries “10.5 Apocalypse,” where she portrayed the character of First Lady Megan Hollister. This marked one of her final television roles.
While she did relatively little acting in this phase, she did make appearances in a number of short films. In 2014, she took on an uncredited role as Stosh’s mother in “Veronica Mars.”
Notably, she penned her autobiography, titled “The Way I See It: A Look Back at My Life on Little House.” This book delves into her experiences as a child star and offers readers behind-the-scenes stories about her fellow cast members, guest stars, and the crew of “Little House on the Prairie.”
In 2002, the Anderson family relocated to Montreal, and five years later, on Canada Day, they officially became naturalized Canadian citizens. According to available information, Melissa Sue Anderson has largely stepped away from her acting career to embrace the role of a stay-at-home mom and care for her family.
In an interview, she revealed that one of the most challenging moments in her acting career was when her character went blind during the fourth season of “Little House on the Prairie.”