Current age and how to verify it
Melissa Sue Anderson was born September 26, 1962, which makes her 62 years old as of 2025. You can confirm her age by checking authoritative sources such as official biographies, reputable entertainment databases, and public records including her birth date listed by professional guilds. Because her birth date is a fixed historical fact, her age increases predictably each year and can be calculated precisely from that date.
Below is a concise attribute table summarizing key, verifiable details related to her identity and career milestones.
Verified biographical attributes
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | September 26, 1962 | Public records / Official biography |
| Age in 2025 | 62 years old | Calculated from birth date |
| Place of birth | Binghamton, New York, USA | Biographical sources |
| Notable role | Mary Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie | Credits databases |
| Union membership | SAG-AFTRA | Guild records |
Career overview and timeline
Melissa Sue Anderson is an American actress best known for her portrayal of Mary Ingalls in the long-running television series Little House on the Prairie (1974–1983). Her performance during the show’s original broadcast established her as a recognizable figure in family television of the 1970s and 1980s. After the series ended, she continued working in guest roles on other television programs and remained active in industry events related to classic television.
Key career milestones
- 1974–1983: Regular role as Mary Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie
- 1978: Receives a nomination for a Youth in Film Award for Best Juvenile Actress in a Television Series
- Post–1983: Appearances in guest roles and retrospective events tied to the show
Personal background and public context
Anderson grew up in California after her family moved there when she was a child, which allowed her to pursue acting opportunities in Los Angeles during her youth. She has spoken publicly about the experience of playing a beloved character in a beloved period drama and the ongoing recognition that role brings. Because she has largely maintained a private personal life, most reliable biographical detail focuses on her professional work and the documented timeline of her television appearances.
Common questions about her age and identity
Because Melissa Sue Anderson remains identifiable through reruns and syndication, many viewers encounter her work long after its original airdate and seek current information about her. Queries about her age are typically rooted in a desire to understand how her career timeline fits into the broader history of television. By anchoring age information to her confirmed birth date, it is possible to provide a reliable, evergreen answer that does not change over time.
Why age information remains stable and verifiable
The year of someone’s birth represents a fixed point that does not change, while age is a derived value that can be precisely calculated for any given year. Public databases, entertainment archives, and professional guild listings commonly include birth dates for performers, enabling consistent verification. As a result, statements about her age can be checked against these authoritative references and remain accurate regardless of when they are accessed.
Frequently used terms and clarifying definitions
When researching a classic television performer, it helps to understand which terms are essential for accurate searches. These concepts are relevant not only for Melissa Sue Anderson but also for similar biographical queries in the entertainment space.
Helpful terms and relationships
- Birth date: The legally recorded date of an individual’s birth; used to calculate exact age
- Age by year: A person’s age computed as of a specific calendar year based on birth date
- Primary role: The character most associated with an actor, in this case Mary Ingalls
- Guild affiliation: Membership in performers unions such as SAG-AFTRA, which maintains verifiable records
Additional biographical references and comparisons
For context, comparing a few factual attributes across the classic lineup of Little House on the Prairie can illustrate how individual timelines align with the show’s run. The following table presents a small, verifiable comparison focused on documented details.
| Cast member | Documented birth year | Role on show | Current age status (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Sue Anderson | 1962 | Mary Ingalls | 62 years old |
| Michael Landon | 1936 | Charles Ingalls | Deceased (1991) |
| Karen Grassle | 1942 | Caroline Ingalls | 82 years old |
Reliable verification steps for readers
Readers who wish to confirm biographical data can follow a repeatable process using public, authoritative sources. These steps help ensure that the information retrieved is both accurate and stable over time.
- Consult official entertainment guild membership records for birth date information.
- Cross-reference multiple reputable databases, such as television archives and biographical registries.
- Use fixed dates, such as birth dates, to compute age for a specific target year rather than relying on transient snapshots.
- Prefer sources that cite public records or original documentation when available.
Summary of key facts
Melissa Sue Anderson was born on September 26, 1962, making her 62 years old in 2025. She is recognized primarily for her role as Mary Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie. Her birth date is a verifiable, fixed attribute that allows age to be calculated consistently. Reliable sources include guild records, broadcast archives, and reputable biographical databases.