At a Glance
- Melissa Gilbert, best known as Laura Ingalls Wilder, has two sons: Dakota Brinkman (36) and Michael Boxleitner (30)
- Dakota became a father in June 2021, making Gilbert a first-time grandmother
- Michael was named after her Little House on the Prairie co-star Michael Landon
- Why it matters: Shows how the former child star built her family life away from Hollywood’s spotlight
Melissa Gilbert may be forever linked to her Little House on the Prairie role, but her most important roles have been as mother to two sons and now grandmother to baby Ripley. From her firstborn in 1989 to becoming a grandmother in 2021, Gilbert’s family story spans three decades.
Dakota Brinkman: The Firstborn
Dakota Paul Brinkman arrived on May 1, 1989, during Gilbert’s marriage to director Bo Brinkman. The actress once called him “the first one to eternally occupy my heart” in a deleted Instagram post from 2020.
Though raised away from Hollywood’s glare, Dakota dipped into acting with minor roles until 2016. His career path then shifted to gaming, where he served as lead writer for Nights at the Game Table from 2019 to 2020.
The milestone that changed everything came on Christmas Day 2016 when Dakota proposed to Marissa. Gilbert celebrated online: “All I wanted for Christmas was another daughter-in-law and she said yes!!”
Their daughter Ripley’s birth on June 8, 2021, marked Gilbert’s transition to grandmother. The proud grandmother warned followers: “My feed is going to get boring if you’re not into babies. I’m a very proud Nana!!”
Michael Boxleitner: Named After TV’s Beloved Father Figure
Michael Boxleitner’s arrival on October 6, 1995, carried special meaning. Gilbert and second husband Bruce Boxleitner named him after Michael Landon, her on-screen father who became a mentor during Little House filming.
His birth story involved serious complications. Gilbert delivered Michael at just 28 weeks gestation, and he weighed only 3 pounds. He required time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit since he couldn’t breathe independently.
“He was only 3 lbs and had the courage of a lion,” Gilbert wrote on Instagram in 2016. “He’ll be 21 soon but he will always, always be my Peeker McSqueek.”
Like his mother, Michael pursued acting. He’s appeared in theatrical productions and guest-starred on FBI: Most Wanted. Gilbert’s parenting journey included managing misophonia, a sound-sensitivity disorder that meant her children couldn’t chew gum and had to learn special signals to avoid triggering her condition.
A Modern Family Unit
Gilbert’s family expanded when she married Timothy Busfield in 2013, becoming stepmother to his children. This created a blended family dynamic that extends beyond her biological sons.
The family’s recent challenges include Busfield facing an arrest warrant issued January 9 related to allegations of child sex abuse reportedly occurring on The Cleaning Lady set, where he directed.
Key Takeaways
- Dakota, now 36, has transitioned from brief acting roles to family life and gaming industry work
- Michael, 30, continues pursuing acting while honoring the legacy of his namesake Michael Landon
- Ripley, born in 2021, represents the next generation of a family that began with one of television’s most beloved child stars
- Gilbert’s journey from teenage TV star to grandmother spans 36 years, showing how her most meaningful roles happened off-screen
