‘Little House on the Prairie’ Star Melissa Sue Anderson Opens Up About Leaving Hollywood for Life in Canada

Ever wondered what became of your favorite TV stars from decades past? For fans of Little House on the Prairie, the question often arises—what happened to the actors after the final scenes faded?

Melissa Sue Anderson, who played the beloved Mary Ingalls, surprised many by stepping away from the spotlight. Instead of continuing in the Hollywood scene, Anderson made the life-changing decision to move to Canada, opening up about her reasons for doing so.

Starting her career with small guest roles, Anderson eventually became a mainstay on Little House on the Prairie, earning multiple Best Lead Actress nominations for her performance. In a 2010 interview with Pop Entertainment, she reflected on her time on the show: “I’m lucky the writers created a real role for me—Mary didn’t have much of a presence in the original books. I’m grateful they saw I could act.”

Following the end of the series, Anderson continued acting in smaller parts until marrying television producer Michael Sloan in 1990. In 2002, the couple relocated to Montreal with their children, Piper and Griffin, later becoming Canadian citizens in 2007. Choosing to prioritize her family, Anderson gradually stepped away from her acting career.

Today, Anderson enjoys a quieter life away from Hollywood, content with the path she carved out beyond the fame.