Melissa Gilbert started her career as a child actor. She gained prominence at just 10 years of age, playing Laura Ingalls Wilder, the second oldest daughter of Charles Ingalls (played by Michael Landon) in the NBC series Little House on the Prairie.

The late actor and filmmaker Landon played the role of her father for nine years, and it turns out to have stemmed from personal relationships. In a recent interview with People, Gilbert talks about her special bond with the co-star.

The interview happened during the 50th anniversary celebration of Little House on the Prairie Cast Reunion and Festivals. Gilbert revealed that Landon was a father figure for not just her but the majority of the cast.

The Little House on the Prairie 50th Anniversary Cast Reunion and Festival lasted three days (March 22, 23 & 24). It was an interactive experience and tour celebrating the TV series and providing fans with a unique opportunity.

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“Michael Landon was like a father figure to many of us, obviously, and a very, very important influence in my life,” says Gilbert, explaining her own experiences in fatherhood.

She revealed that her father passed away when she was 11 years of age, and it was while working on the series. Therefore, the actress says Landon watched over her in a much more paternal way.

Gilbert added that they had become very close and that their family had also vacationed together. They also celebrated New Year’s together.

Landon seems to have tried to fill the void of Gilbert’s missing father, and the actress appreciates the effort. She remembers him to this date as a great man and a great father figure.

Melissa Gilbert remembers Michael Landon as a great person

Apart from being a great ‘father figure,’ Gilbert also reveals that Landon was special to other members of the cast as well. Landon was a very giving person and went above and beyond for people close to him.

Gilbert remembers Landon giving amazing presents to his cast members. He would also announce the Rose Parade for NBC for free, and instead of the money, he would give Christmas gifts to the cast.

Melissa Gilbert with Michael Landon on ‘Little House on the Prairie’ (Source: PanCAN)

Not only that, but Gilbert also contributes to the success of the program for Landon. She says, “It blows my mind that all of this is because of him. These people are here because he wrote this show and directed it and produced it, and I know that he would be incredibly proud if he could see this.”

Unfortunately, the actor died in 1991 due to pancreatic cancer. She ended the interview by saying, “This is a legacy. A hundred percent.”

Although it’s been 50 years since the release of Little House on the Prairie, the show and its cast are equally famous. The show started in 1974 with popular main cast members like Landon, Gilbert, Melissa Sue Anderson, Sidney Greenbush, and Dean Butler.

Back in 2022, Gilbert remembered the actor on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of his death. She wrote a heartfelt essay through PanCAN, which is a charity fund for people affected by the disease.

“Today I am missing my mentor, my acting partner, my favorite director, father figure, friend, and boss. Today I am missing my Pa. Today I am missing Michael Landon. So much so, that I can feel it in my chest, in my heart. I am aching for him,” she says.

All About Michael Landon

Gilbert’s ‘father figure’ Landon was an American actor and filmmaker who is known for his role in the hit series Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie, and Highway to Heaven.

He was born on October 31, 1936, as Eugene Maurice Orowitz in Forest Hills, New York. He was the son of Peggy and Eli Maurice Orowitz. His father was Jewish, and his mother was Roman Catholic who used to be a professional comedian.

Landon’s childhood was marked by challenges, including his mother’s suicide attempts, which led to stress-related issues such as bedwetting. He attended Collingswood High School in New Jersey and showed talent in javelin throwing.

Michael Landon with his wife and kids (Source: Wide Open Country)

Despite initially pursuing athletics with a scholarship offer from the University of Southern California, Landon shifted towards show business after a shoulder injury ended his athletic career. He then began appearing in various television shows and movies, gradually building his acting career.

He then gained huge recognition through his role in the series Bonanza, where he was also a writer and director. After his role in the series, he went on to appear as the main cast of the series The Little House on the Prairie, where he is also the executive producer, director, and writer.

During his lifetime, the actor has been married three times and also has 9 children. Among his children, 5 of his children are active in the entertainment industry; Mark Fraser Landon, Leslie Ann Landon, Michael Landon Jr., Christopher Beau Landon, and Jennifer Rachel Landon.

Landon suffered a severe headache during a skiing vacation in 1991. After the checkup, he was diagnosed with a severe form of pancreatic cancer known as exocrine adenocarcinoma.

He did several surgeries and procedures during that time, but his disease was terminal. He passed away on July 1 at the age of 54 years, in his Malibu house at 1:20 pm with his wife at his bedside.

Josie Totah played the leading role of Mabel Emsworth in the 2023 historical series The Buccaneers. In this series, her character falls in love with a woman named Honoria Marable (portrayed by Mia Threapleton).

The American actress has openly come out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and is transgender. Due to her sexuality and her portrayal of similar roles in various movies and TV shows, people have been wondering if she will take on similar roles in the future.

However, this does not seem to be the case for the actress, as she has firmly mentioned she is open to any role as she is an actress first. She attended the 2024 SCAD TVFest in Atlanta in February and mentioned her plans to work in various roles with people.

Josie Totah receives the ‘SCAD TVFest Rising Star Award’ (Source: Instagram)

In the interview, she mentioned that she is willing to take on various roles as she follows the story. She expresses her wishes to work as an actor and to uplift storytellers whom she fancies and tells stories that need to be said.

Totah wore an all-black outfit with white detailings at the event and was one of the nominees. She received the SCAD TVFest Rising Star Award at the event.

This enthusiastic actress has been working in the entertainment industry since 2012 but recently gained prominence due to her leading roles in several movies and TV shows. Her role in the 2021 movie Moxie was well-received by critics and the public.

Josie Totah came out as a transgender person in 2018

Although many suspected Totah to be gay as she hadn’t transitioned yet and appeared in many productions as J.J. Totah. She made herself publicly known as a trans-woman in 2018, exclusively through the Time Magazine.

She started her interview by stating she was always grateful to get roles in great projects like The Champions. However, she always felt she let herself shoved into a box as J.J. Totah, a gay boy.

Ever since Totah was a child, the people around her always viewed her as gay, as she was a bit different from others. Not only that, even the entertainment industry gave her that image due to the roles she played.

She also revealed that many reporters asked her what it was like being a gay young man, and many were already quick to assume the same. The actress also clarified being a member of the LGBTQ+ community before, but it only led to more people thinking she’s gay.

Therefore, the actress made a very bold decision to be free and let everyone know her natural sexuality. Despite what she might be hearing, support, or hate, she outed herself as Josie Totah, a trans-woman.

Totah identifies as a female and uses the pronoun she/her/hers. In a very heartfelt letter, she also says this is not something that happened out of the blue nor the choice she made.

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The actress found out about her sexuality at the young age of 14 while watching the series I Am Jazz with her mother. In the middle of the show, she revealed to have yelled at her mother, saying this is what I have to do (while watching Jazz Jennings going through a medical transition).

This revelation might not have been easy, but it sure helped that her mother was super supportive from the start. Therefore, at 14, she started taking hormone blockers.

During the initial stages of transition, Totah was in constant fear of society as well as the effect of male hormones on her body. She was also scared about the identity documents and how people would see her.

However, the actress has had many reassurances in her life. She felt delighted hearing Josie from friends and family, and it was a process of healing and better understanding herself.

She wraps up her heartfelt note, stating, “This week, I’m going off to college. I’m also going to continue my acting career, and I am so excited to do both things myself. I plan to play roles I haven’t had the opportunity to play. And I can only imagine how much more fun it’s going to be to play someone who shares my identity, rather than having to contort myself to play a boy. I’m going to gun for those roles, be it a transgender female or a cisgender female. Because it’s a clean slate — and a new world.”

Josie Totah’s advancements in roles

Totah played the role of a boy in several movies and TV shows until 2018, including Glee, Champions, and Spider-Man: Homecoming. After she came out to the world in 2018, her first project was the American comedy series The Other Two, in which she played the role of Elijah.

Josie Totah poses for Galore (Source: Instagram)

In the same year, she played the role of Lisa Haddad in four episodes of the American comedy No Good Nick. The actress started playing female roles actively and got her first leading role in the sitcom Saved by the Bell, where she portrayed the role of Lexi Haddad-DeFabrizio.

She went on to appear as CJ in the 2021 movie Moxie and played minor roles in some series, like Human Resources and Mr Mayor. Her most recent work is in the historical series The Buccaneers, which has increased her fame to the next level.

Totah has active plans to stay in the entertainment industry and is also set to appear in the upcoming horror movie Faces of Death. We hope she gets to play more dynamic roles in the future as she hopes to get.

Millie Bobby Brown is a young actress who shot to fame for her role as Eleven in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things. While her acting skills are undeniable, fans have noticed her physical transformation over the years. 

The once petite child star has blossomed into a fit and healthy teenager, sparking curiosity about her weight, diet, and workout routine. She has fueled this interest by sharing glimpses of her fitness journey on her YouTube channel. 

In this article, we delve into Millie Bobby Brown’s height, weight, and the demanding regimen she follows to maintain her physical prowess as a rising star in the entertainment industry. 

Millie Bobby Brown’s physical changes over the years

Brown has undergone a remarkable transformation since first landing the role of Eleven on Stranger Things at just 12 years old. Now, at 20 in 2024, the young actress has blossomed from a child star into a stunning young woman.

When the show debuted in 2016, she stood at a petite 4’11” and had the fresh-faced, youthful appearance typical of a pre-teen. However, as the years passed and seasons progressed, viewers witnessed her physically mature before their eyes.

 By 2022, at age 18, she had shot up to her current height of 5’4″ and developed a more womanly figure. Her transition was not just limited to gaining a few inches in height. 

Millie Bobby Brown at an event (Source: Variety)

Her facial features also evolved, taking on a more defined and angular look as the baby fat of childhood melted away. Her sense of style also adapted, trading youthful dresses for sophisticated, high-fashion looks fitting of a leading lady on the red carpet.

While some have cheekily commented that her mature appearance makes the 20-year-old seem older, it simply shows how much she has grown up over the 8 years since Stranger Things premiered. 

However, her undeniable talent and magnetic screen presence that first made her a star remains unchanged. As she continues to blossom, fans excitedly await what other incredible transformations her career may bring.

Millie Bobby Brown does intense workout 

Brown’s commitment to intense workout routines is awe-inspiring for someone her age. The circuit workouts she undertakes Monday through Friday are designed to push her to the limits, incorporating various challenging exercises that target multiple muscle groups.

Compound movements like weighted squats, chest presses, and hip thrusters are at the core of her circuit training. These multi-joint exercises simultaneously work for major muscle groups, promoting greater calorie burn and overall strength development. 

She balances these with core-focused movements like Russian twists and inclined weighted crunches to chisel her midsection. Her regimen also features grueling high-intensity bodyweight circuits done 5-6 days per week. 

These metabolic conditioning workouts combine exercises like planks, jumping jacks, squat jumps, and plank hops performed in rapid succession with minimal rest periods.

Millie Bobby Brown also does yoga and Muay Thai

In addition to her intense circuit training and bodyweight workouts, Brown incorporates the mind-body practice of yoga and the martial art of Muay Thai into her comprehensive fitness regimen.

Yoga has become an invaluable part of her routine, providing physical and mental benefits. The flowing asanas help her connect with her breath and cultivate a calm, centered mindset — a asset for someone in the high-stress entertainment industry. 

Moreover, yoga’s self-awareness and self-esteem-boosting aspects make it a grounding force for the young star. The pressures of fame at such a young age can take a toll, but Millie’s yoga practice gives her a healthy outlet to re-center and maintain perspective.

Complementing the reflective nature of yoga is the intensely physical discipline of Muay Thai. Millie has been practicing this striking martial art for years, becoming skilled in its punching, kicking, kneeing, and elbow techniques. 

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Her typical Muay Thai sessions involve heavy bag work, partner drills with her trainer, kickboxing combinations, and even jujitsu grappling.

The jujitsu elements proved particularly helpful when Millie was filming the action scenes for her movie Enola Holmes, allowing her to execute the choreographed moves precisely. 

Beyond building practical skills, Muay Thai provides an incredible full-body cardiovascular workout while improving core strength, endurance, and striking power.

She has crafted a genuinely holistic fitness approach by incorporating yoga’s mindfulness with Muay Thai’s intensity.

This multi-disciplinary routine is undoubtedly a key driver behind her ability to handle the physical demands of acting while maintaining her mental and emotional well-being.

What does Millie Bobby Brown’s diet consist

Brown follows a balanced, health-conscious diet approach to complement her intense workout regimen. While she allows herself to indulge occasionally, maintaining overall nutritious eating habits is a priority. 

A key diet component is prioritizing high-protein foods to support muscle growth and recovery from her strenuous training sessions.

 As a young and active individual, ensuring she consumes adequate protein is essential for building a toned, athletic physique as she matures.

Millie Bobby Brown at the premiere of ‘Enola Holmes 2’ (Source: NME)

Despite her youth and high metabolism affording her more flexibility, she makes mindful choices regarding her nutrition. She incorporates many vegetables, fruits, and other nutrient-dense whole foods into her meals and snacks. 

Staples like Caesar salads, hummus with carrots, and fresh fruits provide her with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.

At the same time, Brown doesn’t deprive herself entirely — she allows for some indulgences and “junk food” cravings in moderation. This balanced approach prevents her from feeling overly restricted while still prioritizing health. 

Millie Bobby Brown is wholeheartedly into self-care

It’s clear that Brown strongly emphasizes self-care routines and practices that nurture her overall well-being — both inside and out.

For instance, her own clean skincare line, Florence by Mills, reflects her passion for embracing self-love from a young age. 

Proper hydration is a cornerstone of her regimen — she starts drinking at least half a bottle of water each day, having recognized its benefits for achieving glowing, healthy skin.

Her interest in hydration began when she developed her skincare products and learned how they impact complexion. She prefers a fuss-free makeup routine, often just applying mascara before heading out. 

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This low-maintenance approach aligns with her philosophy of enhancing one’s natural beauty. After years of heavy makeup for acting, she now values prioritizing self-care over excessive priming.

She also finds immense comfort and joy in spending time with her many pets, including dogs, cats, donkeys, goats, and even an office bunny named Bellatrix! 

She considers animal interactions to be her biggest method of stress relief. She will often bring some of her furry friends along to set.

Likewise, writing and reflection through journaling provide an emotional outlet for Millie to process her thoughts and feelings as a budding young star in a high-pressure industry.

Through her mindful skincare routine, balanced eating, animal interaction, and self-expression via journaling, Brown wholeheartedly embraces self-care as a crucial component of her lifestyle.