Melissa Gilbert currently plays the character of Georgie McGill on Hallmark’s “When Calls the Heart,” first appearing in season 12 and soon returning for season 13. However, many of Gilbert’s long-time fans know her for her big childhood role.
From 1974 to 1983, Gilbert portrayed Laura Ingalls on “Little House on the Prairie.” In a recent interview, she revealed how the iconic nickname she received on the show, “Half Pint,” came to be.
Michael Landon Nicknamed Melissa Gilbert ‘Half Pint’ on the 1st Day of Filming
On December 22, Gilbert joined Pix 11 News to talk about her latest project, the theater production of “Pen Pals.” Naturally, they talked about “Little House on the Prairie” a little bit, too.
Gilbert gained the nickname “Half Pint” while filming “Little House on the Prairie.” During her recent interview, it was clear that the nickname still brings a smile to her face when she hears it. She explained that the nickname came about on the first day of filming the pilot of “Little House on the Prairie” when she was just a young girl.
She recalled that Michael Landon, who played Charles Ingalls, pulled her aside with her on-screen sister, Melissa Sue Anderson, who played Mary Ingalls. He asked Anderson what her nickname was, and she replied, “Missy.”
When it was Gilbert’s turn, she told Landon that she didn’t have a nickname. Instead, Gilbert recalled telling Landon, “But you can call me Moishe.”
As The Bump indicates, Moishe is a name that is commonly used as a Yiddish version of Moses for males.
Gilbert remembered telling Landon that she picked it because she just thought it was a cool name. However, Landon immediately decided that he didn’t think it was a fit for her.
He explained that he thought of an old Jewish man when he heard the name, not a young girl. That was when Landon declared he would call her “Half Pint,” and that was that.
The WCTH Star Looks Back on ‘Little House on the Prairie’ As a ‘Magical’ Experience
During her appearance on Pix 11 News, Gilbert noted that “Little House on the Prairie” began airing 51 years ago. She said she was “so lucky to be a part of something that was so beloved.”
Gilbert added that it was “a wonderful, magical show and a wonderful, magical experience.”
Over the years, Gilbert has continued to speak about her love for her on-screen father, Landon. However, she did not remain close to Anderson.
She recently surprised fans by revealing that she and Anderson had reunited after years of estrangement.
“Hearts heal and reunite. Magic happens,” Gilbert wrote in the caption of an Instagram post showing her together again with Anderson.
Loved her then, love her now!