What happened to Melissa Gilbert's brother, Jonathan Gilbert?
Melissa and Jonathan Gilbert gained recognition as child actors on the NBC series Little House on the Prairie. The show aired from 1974 to 1983. Melissa starred as Laura Ingalls Wilder, while her brother portrayed Willie Oleson. Despite their early acclaim, Jonathan Gilbert vanished from the acting scene. This has raised curiosity about his whereabouts.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
In 2009, actress Melissa released her autobiography, Prairie Tale: A Memoir. The book sheds light on her relationship with her brother, Jonathan Gilbert. What happened to him, and where is he today?
Profile summary
| Full name | Jonathan J Gilbert |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | 28 April 1967 |
| Age | 57 years (as of 2024) |
| Place of birth | Los Angeles, California, United States of America |
| Current residence | New York City, United States of America |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Zodiac sign | Taurus |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Weight | 136 lb (62 kg) |
| Eye colour | Brown |
| Hair colour | Brown |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Keren Gilbert |
| Father | Paul Gilbert |
| Mother | Barbara Cowen |
| Siblings | 2 |
| Alma mater | Hamilton College and Baruch College |
| Profession | Stockbroker and former actor |
Who is Jonathan Gilbert?
Jonathan J Gilbert is a stockbroker and former actor. He came into the limelight in his childhood when he played Willie Oleson on Little House on the Prairie.
How old is Jonathan Gilbert?
Jonathan Gilbert's age is 57 years as of 2024. He was born on 28 April 1967, and his Zodiac sign is Taurus.
Source: Original
Is Jonathan Gilbert related to Melissa Gilbert?
Yes, Melissa and Jonathan Gilbert are siblings. Melissa is a famous American actress. The siblings were adopted by actors Paul Gilbert and Barbara Cowen (Crane).
Melissa is the older sibling, and she joined the Gilbert family first. She was born on 8 May 1964. The siblings have a sister named Sara, and they were all raised in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Jonathan Gilbert's biological parents are Kathy Wood and David Darlington. Kathy and David were newly engaged when they welcomed a son. They placed him for adoption immediately after birth.
In 1976, Jonathan Gilbert's adoptive parents divorced. Paul passed away the same year. In Melissa's memoir, it was revealed that he took his own life due to persistent pain resulting from injuries sustained during World War II.
Following the death of Paul, Sara was born to their mother, Barbara, in her second marriage to Harold Abeles. Sara adopted the Gilbert family name despite not being legally related to Paul.
What does Jonathan Gilbert do now?
Jonathan Gilbert from Little House on the Prairie is a stockbroker and a former actor. He and Melissa embarked on their acting careers at a young age.
Melissa gained fame as Laura Ingalls Wilder in the TV series Little House on the Prairie. Jonathan joined the show as Willie Oleson at seven. The siblings also starred in the 1979 TV film The Miracle Worker.
The former actor stopped acting and quickly vanished from the acting scene. Although Jonathan stopped acting, Melissa and Sara continued to be active in Hollywood. Sara plays Darlene on The Conners and co-created The Talk.
Melissa, now a well-known actor, has continued to pursue roles in TV movies, guest appearances, and even served as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 2001 to 2005.
What happened to Willie Oleson?
After turning 18, Jonathan Gilbert, alias Willie Oleson, departed from show business and pursued a path in finance. He enrolled at Hamilton College in New York City, earning a Bachelor of Arts.
After graduation, he continued his academic journey at Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College, a research institute under the University of New York, and obtained an MBA in Finance.
Where is Jonathan Gilbert today?
Jonathan Gilbert is a stockbroker in New York City. He started this job in 2003 after graduating business school. He works in prestigious offices connected to the New York Stock Exchange, leading a relatively private life.
Source: UGC
Why does Jonathan Gilbert not talk to Melissa Gilbert?
At some point, the relationship between Jonathan and Melissa became strained. The relationship abruptly ended when he decided to leave Hollywood at 18. Melissa's memoir details her brother's sudden departure from California and the family. In her words, she said the following:
My brother, Jonathan, completely cut himself off from the family. He turned 18 and disappeared. Though he would turn up a couple of times over several years, I have only seen him three times in the last two decades. Surprisingly, I am at peace with it.
In 2023, Melissa celebrated Jonathan's birthday by sharing a series of childhood photos. Some of them feature the two having fun together, swimming, and riding in a carriage. It remains unclear whether the siblings are on talking terms.
Jonathan Gilbert's net worth
The former actor earned a significant amount of money from his career in the film industry. However, a majority of his wealth came later on after venturing into the stock exchange market.
His net worth remains unconfirmed in the public domain. On the other hand, Melissa Gilbert's net worth is $500 thousand.
Is Jonathan Gilbert married?
The stockbroker and former actor is married. Jonathan Gilbert's wife is actress Keren Gilbert. The two have been married since 31 august 1996.
Trivia
- Jonathan does not have verified social media pages.
- He is an animal lover.
- He prioritises time with his family when he is not at work.
- Melissa thinks her brother is one of the funniest people she knows.
- He supports various charity causes.
Melissa and Jonathan Gilbert were among Hollywood's most famous child actors. The siblings, who starred in Little House on the Prairie, gained fame in their early years. Jonathan left the acting industry early on and is now a stockbroker.
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