Description

Better.TV talks with Melissa Sue Anderson about what was life like growing up as a child star.

Transcript

Melissa Anderson Interview Audra Lowe: It’s time for hot topics and we’ve got Melissa Sue Anderson here, Emmy Award Winning actress and everybody remembers her from A Little House on the Prairie and I’m glad that you’re here because I have so many more questions to ask you, not only about your experience on the show but also just growing up working you know in the spotlight and working in television. A lot of child stars though end up going on the wrong path either when their career ends or as they start to get older and I’m sure we all know, a quite a few. How did you end up not doing that and not going that route? Melissa: Well, I like to say I learned from the real Jesse James to stay to away from the current Jesse James. Audra Lowe: All right because he’s far away. Melissa: Really we did a great Western Episode with the James brothers, so that’s actually you know kind of true. It’s funny. Audra Lowe: All right. Melissa: Ah, but you know I was brought up well. And also, frankly, I am just a person that’s afraid to get in trouble. Audra Lowe: Really? Melissa: I don’t want to get in trouble you know. Audra Lowe: You stay far away from it. Melissa: Yeah. Audra Lowe: So what would you say then to, let’s say parents or a parents wants to have their child, you know, go into acting or their child is thinking about going into, is it a feel that you would suggest as something that you would … Melissa: No. Audra Lowe: I can tell from the look on you face. Melissa: No, I wouldn’t—I couldn’t I mean I was lucky it worked out great for me. It happened to be I was a very shy and a reserved kid and so it really it was my knish. I really found my little home. So, for me it was great but I was also very lucky because as I grew up and I learned more and got and I was better as an actress, when I shouldn’t be going through an awkward phase. I didn’t really go through an awkward phase. Audra Lowe: As you were there from the age of about 11 to 17 or 18? Melissa: 18, yeah and most people do go through a really awkward phase where you, you know, you’re not — a lot of producers don’t want to hire you. Audra Lowe: Right. Melissa: And that’s what a lot of kids go through and I was lucky that I had learned a lot, I have been recognized for my, you know, acting with the blind thing and everything and… Audra Lowe: Right. Melissa: And I was able to parlay that into a lot of other work. I worked constantly I was working on our high this is in. Audra Lowe: Yeah. Melissa: So for me, it worked out and there’s a lot obviously a lot of luck involved in this business. Audra Lowe: Yeah. Melissa: Ah, but no — to anybody I care about, I couldn’t possibly recommend it. I think kids should… Audra Lowe: I thought you’re kind of funny when you said that. Melissa: I care about you I’d say no. Audra Lowe: And those are pretty formative years of your life from 11 to 18 years old and you said that, you know, obviously you didn’t want to get in a lot of trouble. Melissa: Right. Audra Lowe: Do you feel—how do you feel your life changed growing up pretty much on the set there and in front of millions of people that are watching you? Melissa: Right, well, you know, I had to learn to be like again, I was shy and I had to learn how to deal with people. Audra Lowe: The show, The Little House in the Prairie, is such a wholesome show too but there’s a little background gossip that you have — that most people don’t know about right? Melissa: Right, oh yeah, yeah. I have some of, you know… Audra Lowe: Couple stories. Melissa: Surprises there, yeah, there was one day I—luckily I was 18 by this time and we were shooting in, yes, in Sonora, California and I walked up into our big, we called that the blue max — this trigantic prop truck and there was the ice cooler in there, the ice chest. And I walked up to get my — to get my self a tab to drink and I pulled out the tab and it was very quiet in there and I didn’t think there was anyone in there and I turned around and Mike Lanen and his smoking a joint. Audra Lowe: No. Melissa: And even I — I dropped my—I mean really. And I’m—I’m leaving and I left. Oh my god. Audra Lowe: See you later, making a quick exit. Melissa: Yeah, yeah. Audra Lowe: Let’s have a lot of fun on this show and I have to congratulate you on your book, The Way I See It. You did a fantastic job with this. Melissa: Oh thank you. Audra Lowe: Love the photos in there. Melissa: Thank you. Audra Lowe: Oh and thanks for sticking around you got to come back. Melissa: Thank you I’d love to. Thanks for having me. Audra Lowe: Okay. Melissa: I appreciate it. Audra Lowe: Anytime, open invitations. Stay with us guys, we’ll be back after this.