After leaving Little House on the Prairie in 1981, Melissa Sue Anderson made a bold transition from wholesome TV star to slasher film icon with Happy Birthday to Me. Best known for her role as Mary Ingalls, the sweet and innocent eldest daughter of Charles and Caroline, Anderson was eager to leave behind the character that had defined her career.
“I was tired of being the blind, boring Mary… I just couldn’t take it anymore,” reflects Anderson, now 62, looking back on her seven years on the beloved show. While Little House on the Prairie captured the hearts of fans across the world, Anderson felt it was time for a change.
The series, which followed the lives of the Ingalls family in the 1870s, became one of television’s most enduring dramas. It featured Michael Landon as Charles Ingalls and Melissa Gilbert as Laura, and helped launch the careers of actors like Jason Bateman and Shannen Doherty. Anderson, who was just 11 when she joined the show, had already appeared on Bewitched and The Brady Bunch before landing her breakout role.
After leaving Walnut Grove, Anderson explored a range of projects, proving her versatility as an actress. From family-friendly dramas to thriller films, her career took unexpected turns, and fans have followed her fascinating evolution over the years. Curious about what she’s been up to since? Keep reading to find out!