Melissa Gilbert has publicly called for increased protection for young performers in the entertainment industry, prompted by the recent deaths of three former child stars: Hayden Panettiere, Michelle Trachtenberg, and Daveigh Chase. Gilbert noted in an essay on Substack that these three actresses, all from the same generation and who began their careers as child stars, have died within the past year, expressing deep distress and questioning the reasons behind their premature passing.
Trachtenberg died in February 2025 at age 39 from complications of diabetes mellitus. Chase died on June 16, 2025, at age 36 from AIDS. Panettiere was found dead on August 16, 2025, at age 36 in a South Carolina Airbnb.
Gilbert, who herself starred as a child actress on "Little House on the Prairie," stated that she feels a personal connection to these actresses and others who experienced childhood fame, including Brooke Shields, Dakota Fanning, Ellie Fanning, and Drew Barrymore. She described former child performers as being part of a "tribe" where the loss of one member deeply affects the others, and the deaths of three within a short period indicate a significant problem.
Gilbert suggested that the entertainment industry has a history of "us[ing], abus[ing], exploit[ing] and then throw[ing] away" its youngest talent, and that this trend appears to be worsening, potentially linked to the pervasive nature of mobile phones and the constant lack of privacy for public figures. She recalled her own experiences as a child actress, including returning to work shortly after her father's death at age 11 without any adult offering condolences or discussing her grief, fearing it would disrupt her work.
To address these issues, Gilbert proposed that former child stars unite to advocate for "real, substantive change," emphasizing the urgent need for free mental health resources for actors. She concluded her essay with a poignant reflection on Panettiere's 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, who has been living in Ukraine with her father, actor Wladimir Klitschko, following Panettiere's relinquishment of custody in 2018 due to struggles with postpartum depression and addiction.
Gilbert's essay was released shortly after her husband, actor Timothy Busfield, faced charges in June related to alleged criminal sexual contact with minors. Busfield was arrested on charges involving two incidents with twin boys who were 7 years old at the time, dating back to 2022. Busfield has denied the allegations, stating it was "highly likely" he had contact with the children. Gilbert has publicly supported her husband, expressing confidence in his exoneration. Busfield is scheduled to go to trial in May 2027.