“Little House On The Prairie” Cast Reunion: Featuring Melissa Gilbert and Karen Grassle

There was a Little House On The Prairie reunion on Good Morning America this week.

Melissa Gilbert (who played Laura), Karen Grassle (Laura’s mother Caroline) and Alison Arngrim (Laura’s nemesis, Nellie Oleson) were all side by side to look back fondly on the 1970s-1980s TV series.

They are also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the series before a major celebration this weekend in Simi Valley. California where the show was filmed.

The ladies are shocked it has already been 50 years. ‘It’s overwhelming, actually,’ Gilbert shared.

‘I’m remembering so much, and so much of my childhood and so many wonderful experiences and emotional experiences attached to all of these people.’

Grassle added, ‘People are finding values, comfort and a message that they long for,’ she said. ‘And I think, you know, it’s just simple human decency.’ 

And Arngrim added that the show’s continued popularity is ‘absolutely mind-blowing’ to her. 

They also remembered the film’s star, writer, producer and director Michael Landon, who died in 1991 at the age of 54.

Gilbert called Landon ‘magnetic,’ saying he ‘drew me in but he also played with me right away.’

‘Our relationship immediately became parental,’ she continued. ‘But he treated us when he worked with us like contemporaries, not like kids.’

The TV show ran from 1974 until 1983, and Gilbert appeared in over 200 episodes. 

The ladies will be at the Little House on the Prairie 50th Anniversary Cast Reunion & Festival this weekend for the three-day festival running March 22 to 24 in Simi Valley, California. 

That is where the series was filmed. 

Earlier this month Gilbert debuted her new collection Modern Prairie. The actress was seen in one of the new red dresses with a floral print.

‘What a special day, and not just because it’s Wednesday… Today marks the debut of our 50 Years of Loving Laura collection!’ began the former child star.

‘Crafted in partnership with our incredible artisans, each piece is unique and special, reflecting our vision and their hard work. 

‘From linens to ceramics, aprons to toys, there’s something for everyone to bring a smile to your face. Have you checked it out yet? Better mosey on over to the Modern Prairie website because these limited-edition treasures are flying off the shelves!’

In November she launched an app for her Modern Prairie lifestyle brand targeted toward older women.

She cofounded Modern Prairie a year ago with retail and merchandising expert Nicole Haase.

‘The retail industry has underestimated women our age— and our ability and desire to spend,’ Gilbert told People. 

‘There was very little space for aging woman. We were either marginalized as a spaced-out old lady or as a cranky old woman you want to avoid. There’s clearly so much more to us than that.’

Modern Prairie to reach Gilbert’s vision as a ‘space where women can connect’ also has launched an app.

‘Women need to know they’re not alone,’ Gilbert said of wanting to create a community. ‘There’s always someone there to help us through, to walk ahead of us, to walk behind us, to hold us up if need be.

The Los Angeles native said she uses the app daily.

‘I’m watching these women support each other as they go through all these extraordinary changes. Women gather to talk about empty-nest syndrome or grief or how to embroider or make the perfect pie crust,’ she said.

Gilbert portrayed Laura Ingalls Wilder aka ‘Half Pint’ in the 1970s NBC series Little House On The Prairie adapted from the best-selling series of Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

‘There are people who will perennially assume that I’m 12 years old,’ Gilbert said. ‘And I will always be that girl, full of wonder and running through the fields. Half Pint is inside me always. But we are all aging.’

The Modern Prairie brand brand offers clothing and home goods inspired by the Little House values of ‘love, community and family’ and are made by women-owned or women-run businesses.

Gilbert lives on a 14-acre farm in New York with husband Timothy Busfield, 66.

‘We just love doing our silly little chores together, like cleaning out the chicken coop, and making sure they have their treats, and playing with the dogs,’ Gilbert said. 

‘We play a lot of backgammon. We cook together. And really, we just like to sit next to each other in a room no matter where we are. We just really enjoy being together.’

Little House On The Prairie premiered with a pilot movie in March 1974 and will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year.

Gilbert and Busfield have been married since 2013 and she credited him for offering her support as she embraced aging naturally.

‘And when I would say, ”I think I’m going to stop coloring my hair,” he’d say, ”Can’t wait to see what color it is. This is so exciting!” When I said, ”I think I want to get my breast implants taken out permanently,” he said, ”Do it!”,’ Gilbert said. ‘It’s incredibly uplifting to be with someone who says, ‘I love you exactly the way you are.”’

Both Gilbert and Busfield had just gone through second divorces with their respective former partners when they started dating.

After getting married, Gilbert and Busfield moved to Howell, Michigan into a charming, restored Victorian-era home in August 2013, but later moved to a picturesque 14-acre Catskill Mountain cottage in New York. 

In April there will be an event for Landon.

This week the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) announced Team Little House, created by the late Michael Landon’s family, friends and castmates in honor of Michael for PanCAN PurpleStride, the ultimate walk to end pancreatic cancer. 

The event takes place on Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Los Angeles and in nearly 60 other cities nationwide. 

The goal of Team Little House is to raise at least $50,000 in Michael’s memory for PanCAN to advance progress against the disease. Team members include two of Michael’s children, Leslie Landon Matthews and Michael Landon Jr., and Dean Butler who played Almanzo Wilder.

Michael passed away of pancreatic cancer in 1991 and this summer will mark the 33rd anniversary of his passing. As one of the first public figures to announce his diagnosis, he created a tremendous amount of public awareness about the disease. The launch of Team Little House also coincides with the 50th anniversary of Little House on the Prairie this year.

‘Even after all these years, Michael Landon will always be an inspiration to me,’ says Dean Butler, who starred alongside the iconic actor on Little House on the Prairie. As we mark the show’s 50th anniversary, Michael’s presence is deeply missed, but his legacy lives on. I hope fans who cherish the show and admire Michael will join me in supporting the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) by registering or donating to Team Little House.’

‘My father is always in my daily thoughts,’ said Leslie Landon Matthews, daughter of Michael Landon and Little House on the Prairie castmate. ‘Celebrating the series’ 50th anniversary warms my heart and takes me back to those glorious years we spent so much time together both on and off screen. I hope our team can help bring awareness to this disease and encourage people to donate in my father’s honor to PanCAN.’