Melissa Gilbert’s Two Sons: Meet Dakota and Michael

Melissa Gilbert with sons Michael and Dakota during ‘The Powerpuff Girls Movie’ premiere.
Credit:

Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

NEED TO KNOW

• Melissa Gilbert is a mother to two sons.
• Dakota Brinkman was born in 1989, followed by Michael Boxleitner in 1995.
• Gilbert named Michael after her Little House on the Prairie co-star, Michael Landon.

Melissa Gilbert, best known for her role as Laura Ingalls Wilder in the beloved series Little House on the Prairie, holds the title of “Mom” to her two sons, Dakota and Michael, who see her beyond her screen persona.

Gilbert welcomed her first son, Dakota Brinkman, in May 1989, during her marriage to director Bo Brinkman. After their separation, she married actor Bruce Boxleitner and gave birth to her second son, Michael, in October 1995. Michael was named in honor of her late colleague, Michael Landon.

Following her marriage to actor Timothy Busfield in 2013, Gilbert also embraced the role of stepmother to Busfield’s children. She became a grandmother in 2021 when Dakota and his wife, Marissa, welcomed their daughter, Ripley.

Currently, Busfield is facing an arrest warrant related to allegations of child sex abuse linked to his work on the set of The Cleaning Lady.

Dakota Paul Brinkman, 36

Melissa Gilbert and son Dakota Brinkman attend The 8th Screen Actors Guild Awards on March 10, 2002 in Los Angeles, California.

J. Vespa/WireImage

Born on May 1, 1989, Dakota is Gilbert’s firstborn. For his 31st birthday in 2020, Gilbert reflected on their journey together, sharing a heartfelt post on social media. “He’s my first born. The first one to eternally occupy my heart,” she wrote. “I could not be more proud of the man he is.” Dakota has had minor roles in various projects and worked as a lead writer for a gaming company.

After proposing to Marissa on Christmas Day in 2016, Dakota and Marissa welcomed their daughter, Ripley, on June 8, 2021. Gilbert shared her excitement about becoming a grandmother, posting baby photos of Ripley online.

Michael Boxleitner, 30

Melissa Gilbert and son Michael Boxleitner attend the premiere of “Born To Be Wild 3D” on April 3, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.

Jason LaVeris/ Getty

Michael Boxleitner, born on October 6, 1995, was named after Gilbert’s on-screen father, Michael Landon. Reflecting on his birth, Gilbert has shared poignant stories describing the challenges of his early days, including a premature birth and a stay in the NICU.

Michael is also pursuing acting, appearing in several theatrical productions and even in the CBS drama FBI: Most Wanted. Gilbert has spoken candidly about her experiences as a mother and the challenges in raising her children, including her struggle with a sound sensitivity disorder known as misophonia and how it impacted their upbringing.

This exploration of Melissa Gilbert’s family life offers insight into the actress’s journey beyond the screen, marked by the joys and challenges of raising two sons while navigating her own career and personal relationships.