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For fans of the original "Little House on the Prairie," it's hard to believe that it's been more than 50 years since the show debuted in 1974. But interest hasn't dimmed, especially with the Netflix revival of "Little House on the Prairie" introducing the story's characters to new generations. Back when bell-bottoms were big (along with other '70s fashion trends that are having a resurgence), viewers tuned in each week to watch the ongoing saga of the Ingalls family making their way in the 19th-century American Midwest. Most watchers of the NBC hit had a favorite character, whether it was the precocious tomboy Laura Ingalls, the spoiled troublemaker Nellie Oleson, or the responsible eldest child Mary Ingalls.
Melissa Sue Anderson portrayed Mary and was known for her piercing blue eyes and long, blond hair (though that changed in later seasons). Like her co-stars, Anderson was dressed in simple, era-appropriate prairie dresses when in costume as Mary. However, with the show far behind her, Anderson's looks and style have evolved a great deal.
Anderson's acting career didn't amount to much over the years post-"Little House on the Prairie," and the self-professed introvert mostly faded from the limelight when she hit adulthood. Though she's rarely in the public eye anymore, Anderson did make an appearance at the 2022 Monte Carlo TV Festival, where she wore a blue dress that made her eyes pop. With a few notable accessories, including delicate hoop earrings and a unique pendant necklace, Anderson's sleek and modern appearance is a far cry from the look of her iconic character, Mary.
Read more: The Worst-Dressed Celebs In Oscars History
Melissa Sue Anderson was nearly unrecognizable in the early '80s
Melissa Sue Anderson didn't waste time differentiating her off-screen self from her on-screen character, and looking back at photos of her (especially black-and-white ones that don't show off her bright-blue eyes), it can be hard to recognize the "Little House on the Prairie" star. For example, when she attended an event in 1980 with then-boyfriend Frank Sinatra Jr., Anderson showed off big, bouncy curls (one of many fun '80s hair trends you can still wear today). But they are a world away from Mary Ingalls' signature long, straight, half-up hairstyle.
Just a couple of years later, Anderson debuted a short curly style, which made her look even more different than fans were used to seeing her. Anderson took the plunge with her bold cut because her time on the show was nearing its end, but her new hair still necessitated a wig for the remainder of filming. The darker-colored, ill-fitting wig has been a topic of discussion with fans for years, and even now, online commenters say the new look didn't suit her at all. While short hair definitely gave Anderson a more mature look back in the day, her current shoulder-length blond tresses seem to be where the former child star feels most comfortable. Of course, Anderson isn't the only one of her castmates who's changed, and you might be surprised to see what the other leading ladies of "Little House on the Prairie" look like now.
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