‘Little House On The Prairie’s Dean Butler Worried About The Age Gap Between Him And Melissa Gilbert

The age gap between Dean Butler and Melissa Gilbert in the Little House on the Prairie did not matter until they were asked to shoot a particular scene. Everything else had continued seamlessly before this part, and Butler wished their age could change.

Dean Butler’s character Almanzo met Laura, Gilbert’s character, in the season six episode “Back to School,” when both were 23 and 15, respectively. By the end of the season, they were required to film a scene where Almanzo and Laura would have their first kiss. Consequently, their age gap became a concern for Dean Butler, who felt they could be closer in age.

Dean Butler and Melissa Gilbert’s age gap caused issues for their on-screen kiss

It has been fifty years since the first episode of Little House on the Prairie aired, and the movie still captivates audiences around the world. At the 50th anniversary last year, Dean Butler shared his perspective on the relationship between Almanzo and Laura. He recalled that when he first met Melissa Gilbert, “There was no sign of a woman there.”

Although her excellent acting skills filled in for the experience she lacked in real life, their age gap could not be ignored. Almanzo was almost ten years older than Laura, not only onscreen but also in real life and this made it awkward when it was time to film their first kiss scene.

He thought the part would be more interesting if both had known each other better. Instead, both were anxious, and he wished she was much older, especially because it is her first time in real life.

Why viewers still love the series

While Dean Butler worried about the age gap between himself and Melissa Gilbert, most viewers were and are still amazed by the sincerity and innocence portrayed by Melissa Gilbert’s character.

Despite being fifteen at the time, she bodied the role perfectly and was loved by their audience. He also acknowledged the satisfactory feeling that usually envelops him when people tell him he was their first celebrity crush.