You probably know Melissa Gilbert from her iconic role as Laura Ingalls on the beloved TV series Little House on the Prairie. But did you know she has a brother who also acted on the show? His name is Jonathan Gilbert, and while he’s no longer in the public eye, his story is a fascinating one. In this post, we’ll explore the life and career of Melissa Gilbert’s little-known sibling.
Know About Melissa Gilbert
Before we dive into Jonathan’s story, let’s take a quick look at his famous sister. Melissa Gilbert was born in Los Angeles in 1964. She began her acting career at a very young age and landed the part of Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie when she was just 9 years old. The show was a huge hit and ran for 9 seasons.
Melissa went on to have a successful career in Hollywood. She starred in numerous TV movies and series over the years. In 2001, she was elected president of the Screen Actors Guild, a position she held for 4 years. More recently, she’s appeared on reality shows like Dancing with the Stars. Throughout her life and career, the family has always been important to Melissa.
Early Life and Family
Melissa comes from a family of performers. Her parents were both actors, though not quite as famous as their daughter would become. Melissa’s mother was actress Barbara Cowan, who appeared in a handful of movies and TV shows in the 1960s and 70s. Her father, Paul Gilbert, was a comedian and actor best known for his appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Sadly, Paul died of a stroke in 1975 when Melissa was just 11 years old. Barbara later married Harold Abeles, and the couple adopted two children together – Jonathan and Sara. So Melissa suddenly found herself with two new siblings.
Parents and Siblings
Let’s talk a bit more about Melissa’s parents and siblings. As mentioned, her biological father Paul Gilbert passed away when she was young. Melissa has spoken about how difficult his death was for her. In her memoir Prairie Tale, she described him as a loving but troubled man who struggled with depression and addiction.
After Paul’s death, Barbara married Harold Abeles in 1977. The following year, they adopted two children – Jonathan, then 10 years old, and Sara, who was a newborn. So Melissa gained a brother and sister later in childhood. The family dynamics certainly shifted, but Melissa embraced her new siblings.
Who is Melissa Gilbert’s Brother?
So what about Jonathan Gilbert? He was born on April 28, 1967, and was adopted by Barbara and Harold as a young boy. Like his sister, Jonathan got into acting as a child. He appeared alongside Melissa in Little House on the Prairie, playing the recurring role of Willie Oleson.
Jonathan was on the series from 1974 to 1983. During that time, he also appeared in some TV movies, including Little House: Look Back to Yesterday and Little House: The Last Farewell. As a young actor in an iconic series, Jonathan seemed poised for success.
However, Jonathan ultimately chose a very different path from his sister. After Little House ended, 18-year-old Jonathan quit acting for good. He moved away from California and has had little contact with his family in the decades since. Melissa has mentioned in interviews that they are estranged.
So what happened? Not much is known about why Jonathan left acting and distanced himself from his family. He has chosen to live a very private life out of the spotlight. What we do know is that he became a stockbroker and settled in New York City, far from Hollywood.
Despite the estrangement, it seems there are still some fond feelings between the siblings. Melissa has occasionally mentioned Jonathan publicly over the years. She wished him a happy 50th birthday on social media in 2017, calling him “one of the funniest people” she knows. It’s clear his early departure from acting and the mystery surrounding his life now makes Melissa wistful.
Ultimately, while Jonathan is a bit of an enigma, his story offers a fascinating glimpse into Melissa Gilbert’s family history. Not every child actor continues on that path, and Jonathan chose to carve out a very different life for himself away from show business. One can only imagine how things might have been different if he had continued acting. Regardless, he’ll always be a part of the Gilbert family legacy – and Little House on the Prairie history.
Early Role as Willie Oleson
At a young age, Jonathan Gilbert followed in his sister’s acting footsteps. He landed the part of Willie Oleson, Nellie Oleson’s brother, on Little House on the Prairie. Jonathan appeared in many memorable episodes throughout the show’s run in the 1970s and 80s. He brought the character of Willie to life, portraying the mischievous and often bratty younger Oleson sibling.
Acting alongside his sister Melissa, who played Laura, Jonathan became a key part of the Little House cast. The two siblings got to experience the excitement of being child actors on a hit TV show together.
Career Highlights
While best known as Willie, Jonathan also acted in several TV movies during his youth. He appeared in the 1979 remake of The Miracle Worker with Melissa. In the Little House on the Prairie sequel movies, Little House: Look Back to Yesterday and Little House: The Last Farewell, Jonathan reprised his role of Willie Oleson. These gave him the chance to play the character a final few times.
Beyond Little House, Jonathan landed some other acting roles over the years. However, he never pursued acting as intensely as his sister Melissa, who continued performing into adulthood.
Melissa Gilbert’s Brother’s Private Life
Despite a promising start, Jonathan Gilbert ultimately decided to step away from acting. At age 18, he chose to leave the entertainment industry behind completely. Jonathan’s decision to quit acting coincided with him cutting off contact with his family. According to Melissa Gilbert’s memoir, Prairie Tale, Jonathan stopped communicating with his parents and siblings when he turned 18.
This estrangement lasted for many years, with Jonathan having very little interaction with Melissa and the rest of his family. While unfortunate, Melissa has said she has come to terms with the distance between her and her brother.
Jonathan Gilbert’s Career Path
So what did Jonathan do after acting? He decided to go in a completely different professional direction. Jonathan enrolled at Hamilton College in New York to study finance.After completing his education, Jonathan began a career as a stockbroker. He traded his time in front of the camera for a job dealing with stocks and investments.
While the details of his career are limited, it seems Jonathan found success in the finance world. He built a life for himself separate from his family and the entertainment industry.
Conclusion
Jonathan Gilbert may not be a household name like his sister, but his story offers an interesting glimpse into the world of child actors. While he shined as Willie Oleson on Little House on the Prairie, Jonathan ultimately decided to leave acting behind as an adult.
Although his relationship with his sister Melissa and his parents became strained, Jonathan seemed to find his path in life. His journey shows that there is no one right way for a child actor to transition into adulthood.
While Melissa Gilbert continues to act and embrace her Little House legacy, her brother Jonathan has chosen a different course. Despite the differences in their lives, the two will always share the special experience of growing up on the set of a classic TV show.
Read also:
