Who is Jonathan Gilbert? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Jonathan J. Gilbert

Age: 56 Years, 56 Year Old Males

Family:

father: Paul Gilbert

mother: Barbara Cowan

siblings: Claudia Cowan, Melissa Gilbert, Sara Gilbert

Actors American Men

U.S. State: California

City: Los Angeles

More Facts

education: Hamilton College

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Career

Jonathan Gilbert made his television debut at the age of seven when he was cast as Willie Oleson in NBC’s ‘Little House on the Prairie’. Adapted from Laura Ingalls Wilder's ‘Little House’ book series, the western drama series was about a family residing on a farm in Minnesota in the 1870s and 1880s. The series aired from 1974 to 1983 and also starred Richard Bull, Katherine MacGregor, Dabbs Greer, Kevin Hagen and Jonathan’s sister, Melissa Gilbert.

In 1979, the actor starred in a made-for-television movie titled ‘The Little House Years’ in which he reprised his role of Willie Oleson. That year, he also appeared as Jimmy in Paul Aaron’s ‘Miracle Worker’, a made-for-television biographical movie about the life of the deaf-blind-mute author and lecturer Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan's efforts to teach her. After this, Gilbert featured in two out of the three TV films adapted from the ‘Little House on the Prairie’ series of children’s books. These films, titled 'Little House: Look Back to Yesterday' and 'Little House: The Last Farewell,' released in 1983 and 1984, respectively.

Currently, Gilbert works as a stockbroker and frequently travels around the world. He has also worked for a theater company in California.

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Family & Personal Life

Jonathan Gilbert was born on April 28, 1967, in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was adopted by Paul Gilbert and his wife Barbara Cowen. He is the adopted brother of Melissa Gilbert, the actress who played the role of Laura Ingalls Wilder in the drama ‘Little House on the Prairie.’ Melissa is married to actor cum director Timothy Busfield. She was earlier married to Bo Brinkman and Bruce Boxleitner.

Barbara divorced Paul, who committed suicide in 1976, and went on to marry Harold Abeles. Together, they had a daughter named Sara who later adopted the surname Gilbert though she didn’t have any blood or legal relation with Jonathan’s adoptive father.

Jonathan Gilbert graduated from Hamilton College. He later completed his MBA from Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College. Talking about his love life, he is a married man. His wife’s name is Keren Gilbert.

Jonathan Gilbert Biography