Famous actress Melissa Sue Anderson opens up about her decision to leave Hollywood and move to Canada

How often have you thought about an old show you used to watch and wondered what the actors are doing now? If you were a fan of Little House on the Prairie and followed the adventures of the Ingalls family on their Plum Creek farm near Walnut Grove, Minnesota, you might be curious about where the cast is today.

One of the most memorable characters was Mary Ingalls, played by Melissa Sue Anderson. Many fans expected her to remain a fixture on television, but she had different plans. Today, Anderson reflects on her decision to step away from Hollywood and start a new life in Canada.

Anderson’s journey in the entertainment industry began with guest roles before she landed her breakthrough role on Little House on the Prairie. Her compelling performance as Mary earned her multiple nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series—recognition her devoted fans believed she fully deserved.

Reflecting on her time filming the beloved series, Anderson shared with Pop Entertainment in 2010:

“I’m happy to have played Mary because there aren’t many characters in the book. Laura [Ingalls Wilder, author of the Little House books] was older when she wrote them, so she remembered the best parts of her life.

The characters of Mama and Mary weren’t given much attention—there was a lot of Laura and Papa, Laura and Jack the Dog, and Laura and Mr. Edwards, but not many Marys. I was lucky that they discovered I could act.”

Following her time on Little House, Anderson pursued other supporting roles before stepping away from the industry. She married television producer Michael Sloan in 1990, and in 2002, they moved to Montreal with their two children, Piper and Griffin. By 2007, the family had obtained Canadian citizenship, embracing a new chapter in their lives.

Anderson’s decision to leave show business was driven by her desire to prioritize her family. She didn’t want her children to feel pressured into an acting career simply because of her past success. In an interview with E-Talk, she explained:

“I was retired for a long time. It was really about the kids having their own idea of who they are rather than being connected to me.”

Though she largely stepped away from Hollywood, Anderson never completely abandoned acting. In recent years, she has taken on smaller roles while focusing on family life.

Her experience on Little House on the Prairie left a lasting impact, inspiring her to write a memoir titled The Way I See It: A Look Back at My Life on Little House.

Her story is a reminder that even the most beloved stars sometimes choose a quieter path, prioritizing family and personal fulfillment over the spotlight.

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