Melissa Sue Anderson, star of ‘Little House on the Prairie,’ speaks of her decision to leave Hollywood for Canada

How many times has it happened that you think of an old show you used to love watching and wonder what the actors are doing after so many years? I guess many of you that have seen “Little House on the Prairie” and were eager to see each new adventure of the family living on the farm in Plum Creek near Walnut Grove, Minnesota, would love to know what the actors are up to these days.

Those fans who were fond of the actress playing Mary Ingalls, beautiful Melissa Sue Anderson, were convinced she would continue being part of their life through the small screens, but she had other plans.

Wikimedia Commons

Today, she speaks of her decision to leave Hollywood behind and move to Canada.

This actress started her acting career playing guest roles, and had her way into the showbiz when she became one of the central figures of “Little House on the Prairie.” Her acting brought her several nominations for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and her fans knew she deserved it.

Wikimedia Commons / NBC Television

Speaking of her experience filming this drama that made her famous, back in 2010, Anderson told Pop Entertainment, “I’m lucky that there even was a character to play, because in the book, there isn’t much of one. Laura [Ingalls, author of the Little House novels upon which the series was based and the story was centered] was a quite older woman when she wrote the books. She was remembering the best of her life. The characters of Ma and Mary didn’t factor in a lot. There was a lot of Laura and Pa and Laura and Jack the dog and Laura and Mr. Edwards, but there wasn’t a lot of Mary. I’m fortunate that they discovered that I could act.”

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She tried herself in other minor roles after Mary Ingalls, but then in 1990 she got married to television producer Michael Sloan and moved to Montreal in 2002 with her husband and their two children, daughter Piper and son Griffin.

Melissa Anderson with her husband (Twitter)

In 2007, the family became Canadian citizens and with the new life came new commitments, so Anderson decided to let go of the showbiz because she wanted to spend more time with her kids and didn’t want them to feel pressured to pursue acting careers themselves.

Melissa Anderson with her daughter Piper (Twitter)

In an interview with E-Talk, Anderson said, “I really stepped away for a long time. That was really for the kids so they would have their own sense of who they were as opposed to being with me.”

However, Anderson didn’t step back from acting completely, but took small roles over the recent years. Her life-changing experience of being part in a series like “Little House on the Prairie” encouraged her to write a memoir titled The Way I See It: A Look Back at My Life on Little House.

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman’s daughter Bella shares a rare selfie

When Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise married in 1990 after meeting on the set of movie Days of Thunder they instantly became Hollywood’s Golden couple.

Two years later the couple adopted daughter, Isabella Jane and then three years later son Connor Antony.

When Hawaii-born Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise married in 1990 after meeting on the set of the movie Days of Thunder, they instantly became Hollywood’s golden couple.

See photo below

Doting daughter: Eagle-eyed fans of Tom Cruise noticed an Instagram post featuring him was liked by none other than the 59-year-old action star's daughter, Bella Kidman Cruise (pictured)

While Bella may not possess the same level of fame as her parents, she is an integral and beloved part of the Cruise-Kidman family. She continues to forge her own path with grace and independence, following her own passions and maintaining a low-key profile.

Before we dive into the beautiful bond between Tom Cruise and Bella, let’s take a moment to revisit the love story that brought them into this world. Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise were Hollywood’s golden couple when they tied the knot in 1990. They first met on the set of the movie “Days of Thunder,” where Tom recognized Nicole’s immense talent and convinced the producers to cast her as his love interest.

Two years into their marriage, they joyfully adopted their daughter, Isabella Jane, followed by their son, Connor Antony, three years later. Tom Cruise was already a massive star, and their love story seemed like a match made in heaven for this A-list couple.

She likey: It was a rare social media sighting for the 29-year-old adopted daughter of Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Pictured: Lady Gaga and Tom Cruise

But Tom Cruise filed for divorce eleven years into their marriage, claiming irreconcilable differences. Their path to parenthood was not without heartache, as Nicole experienced an ectopic pregnancy soon after their wedding, which forced them to consider other options for starting a family.

Today, Connor Cruise and Isabella Cruise are prosperous adults who have mostly avoided the spotlight. Isabella, also known as Bella, has chosen to work as a hairdresser and artist. She and her British husband, Max Parker, currently reside in London. Even though Bella likes to live a low-key life, she occasionally posts glimpses of her creative pursuits on her Instagram page, which has amassed a substantial fan base of more than 50,000.

In 2020, Bella surprised her followers by sharing a rare selfie, wearing a black hat and playfully captioning it with the words, “All that glitters is gold… oh wait, it’s just another Instagram filter.” Another selfie featured Bella in the kitchen with her hand on her head, accompanied by the words, “the procrastination station.” These posts reflect her down-to-earth and relatable nature, endearing her to her fans.

Happier times: Bella is Kidman and Cruise's adopted daughter along with her brother, Connor. The family seen here in 1996

It’s important to note that Bella embraces the beliefs of the Church of Scientology, just like her father and brother. In an interview with Who magazine, she expressed that her children have made their own decision to be Scientologists, highlighting their autonomy and individuality. Nicole Kidman, Bella’s mother, has also shown her love and respect for her children’s beliefs.

Speculation arose that Nicole and Tom’s different beliefs may have contributed to their divorce in 2001. Following the split, Bella and Connor chose to live with their father, although Nicole has expressed her desire for them to live with her and her husband, Keith Urban. However, she acknowledges and respects her children’s autonomy and decision.

Cutting her out: Nicole did not attend her daughter's wedding, despite being in London performing in a stage show at the time

Contrary to expectations, Bella has opted not to follow in her famous father’s footsteps and pursue an acting career. Instead, she has charted her own path, developing a passion for fashion akin to her stepmother, Katie Holmes. This led her to move to London to study at the Sassoon Academy, a prestigious cosmetology school, and she now works as a talented hairdresser.

Recently, Bella delighted her fans with another rarely seen selfie, showcasing her new hairstyle and striking new look. Some of her followers even noticed similarities between her and her father, such as the distinctive “dents in her nose” and “smile lines.” It’s fascinating to see the connection between father and daughter manifest in physical traits.

Bella and her brother, Connor, bring a breath of fresh air to the world of Hollywood children. They have remained grounded and down-to-earth, choosing to lead their lives outside of the spotlight. If you have friends or family who haven’t seen a recent picture of Bella, please share this heartwarming article with them.;

Siblings: While Tom and Nicole initially shared custody of their children, it had been previously reported that Nicole had been estranged from Bella and Connor for years

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