Before Melora Hardin played in ‘The Office’, she went to the Prairie.
The actress, who started her as a child in Hollywood, auditioned for “Little House on the Prairie” when she was 9 years old. She was later cast in an episode to play Belinda, one of the classmates of Albert Ingalls (Matthew LabyorTeaux).
The 57-year-old, who recently launched a Wallpaper line in collage style, Storyboards by Melora HardinHas good memories of helping the hit series to life. She told Fox News Digital that Michael Landon, who played as beloved Patriarch Charles Ingalls and directed the series, was honored by the colleague “prairie” children.
Before Melora Hardin played as Jan Levinson in “The Office”, she worked with Michael Landon in “Little House on the Prairie.” (Alamy/Getty images)
“Michael Landon made everyone feel safe,” she remembered. “He trusted us, and we trusted him. He protected us. And I think that was one of the most important lessons I learned early (in Hollywood) – surround yourself with the people who make you feel safe.”
“I always said that acting and making films and TV are one of the best team sports,” she shared. “And I believe that Michael Landon was my first example of that. I immediately learned from him. And it just felt great to be in people who felt safe to be a fool for, to fail. As a performer, especially the young, it felt good not to feel constantly rated or challenged.”
View: Little House On The Prairie Child Star says that set was like ‘Mad Men’
“It’s about working with great employees and not tolerating A-Holes,” she said. “He didn’t have A-Holes on the set. And I think that’s super important. If you feel safe, you can do a great job.”
Melora Hardin auditioned for “Little House on the prairie” when she was 9 years old. (Jim Britt /American broadcasting companies via Getty images)
Hardin has been working “for a long time” in the show business When she became a member of “Little House”. But Landon was different, she shared.
“I worked with people who were not as nice as he was,” said Hardin. “We had school on the set, and it was just so much fun to have other children at school with you to work with you.”
Melora Hardin has been busy with her collage wallpaper line. (Storyboards by Melora Hardin)
“Often I would make a movie or something, and I would be the only (child) in the room,” Hardin continued. “I would be the only one in class with the regular teacher. And it was so pleasure to have other children when you had to be in class with them and then worked with them. That was happy. We would also play games. It was a really fun way to be a child, to be a child actor. It was certainly a highlight.”
Actor Michael Landon on the set of “Little House on the prairie” circa 1977 (Ron Galella/Ron Galella collection via Getty Images)
Hardin revealed that Landon was “so hot” from the moment she was on the set.
“He worked great with children,” she gushed. “He really knew how we could make ourselves feel at ease. He would let us do our thing. He was not a botheric director. He was very happy.
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Michael Landon has fun on the set with Melissa Gilbert, Center and Melissa Sue Anderson. (Alamy)
“He had a long -term relationship with his crew and he surrounded people he really trusted. So it was seamless. He was just happy. I never felt that he was stressed. Maybe he was (working behind the scenes), but I never felt it like a child. He just seemed to have a great time … Everyone seemed to smile in my world like a young child.”
Hardin is also immediately connected to Labyorteaux, 58.
From the left: Matthew Labyorteaux, Michael Landon, Karen Grasle and Melissa Sue Anderson (Alamy)
“I remember that during my first audition we had to do this flashback series from us together,” she remembered. “I was a dancer. I started dancing at 5 o’clock. I was very serious about ballet. He was not yet thrown like Albert, but he was cast like a young Charles (Ingalls). We danced together, and he told me later that he really wanted me to get the role because I didn’t get on his toes like the other girls.”
Hardin returned for the TV film from 1983 “Little House: look back to yesterday.” She played a new character, Michele, who was Albert’s love interest. They shared their first kiss on the screen.
Matthew Labyorteaux (left) with the cast of “Little House on the prairie” today. (Photo by D Dipasupil/Getty Images for Extra)
“We were both in love with each other,” she said. “It was an incredibly sweet moment. I think it was something we were both nervous about and we both enjoyed it. That is a reminder for me. And we became best friends. He is the godfather of my youngest daughter. It was a wonderful, coincidental moment in our lives.”
“Little House on the prairie,” Adapted from the novels of Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867-1957), Michael Landon played as Charles Ingalls. (Silver Screen Collection/Getty images)
“Little House on the prairie” concluded after nine seasons in 1983. Landon died in 1991 At the age of 54 of pancreatic cancer. It was a gloomy time for the cast.
Look: ‘Little House’ -Star Michael Landon was stubborn about his health: daughter
“I was so young when he died, but I remember that we were all sad,” she said. “… but I was just so happy that I had that time with him, that time we shared on the set and the creative experience we shared. I had to witness what a nice person he was. I will always remember him that way.”
Today Harden has been busy with her wallpaper line.
Melora Hardin said she was always passionate about collage art. (Storyboards by Melora Hardin)
“My interest in art started really young,” she explained. “My father is an actor and an artist. And I think I learned very young that, yes, you can be an actor, but it is also very important to have other things that you are passionate about. And I have been passionate about art, and I have always been passionate about collage. I don’t think I was ever a great artist.
“When I made my first movie, I realized that collaging is a kind of what you did in the operation room,” she shared. “It all goes together. I am a songwriter and that is also as a collaging, because you put together words and melodies in a way that belongs in one way or another. I think it has always been who I am.”
The wallpaper collection of Melora Hardin is now available. (Storyboards by Melora Hardin)
In January, Netflix confirmed that a reboot The green light had received from the classic show. The streaming giant described it as “a transformed adjustment”. It will contain Rebecca Sonnenshine from “The Boys” and “The Vampire Diaries” as a showrunner and executive producer.
Melora Hardin is seen here as Jan Levinson opposite Steve Carell as Michael Scott in “The Office” circa 2007. (Byron Cohen/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUIVERS SALE VIA GETTY Images)
Hardin thinks it should get a chance.
“There is certainly a place for some sweet, feel-good content,” Hardin said. “I remember that a new ‘Hawaii Five-0’ was announced. I thought:” I remember that when I was a child, “and I thought it was great. Can they do the right?”
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Netflix is ​​currently working on a reboot “Little House on the prairie”. (NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUIVERS SALE VIA GETY Pictures via Getty Images)
“I think it is the same feeling here (for fans). If you lived in the time of the original and have experienced it, you will of course have the feeling:” There is no way to do it as well. “But that’s not trust.”
“I think it’s a great time now for Feel-good content,” Melora Hardin told Fox News Digital. (Marleen Moise/Getty images)
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“I think it’s a great time now for Feel-good content,” she said. “We need some sweetness. We need some entertainment. I think there is a need for warmth and stories that celebrate dedication to family. I think that’s important.”
“I think those good values ​​of the old days would be fun to have on TV for young people today,” she continued. “So many things are faded nowadays and so dark. And yet ‘Little House’ was just filled with so much love, heart and good values. Who would not want to experience that today?”
