Kristy McNichol
Encyclopedia
Christina Ann "Kristy" McNichol (born September 11, 1962) is an American actress.
McNichol is best known for her roles as Leticia “Buddy” Lawrence on the television drama series Family
and as Barbara Weston on the sitcom Empty Nest. She is also the sister of former child actor Jimmy McNichol. McNichol retired from acting when she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder
in 1992.
, the daughter of Carolyn McNichol Lucas, a business manager and actress, and Jim McNichol, a carpenter. She has two brothers from that marriage: Thomas and Jimmy McNichol. Her parents divorced when she was six years old. When McNichol was 19 her mother married Siegfried Lucas. In the same year Lucas and McNichol's mother adopted McNichol's sister Jennifer Lucas.
McNichol appeared with her brother Jimmy in commercials and later, on her own, in guest appearances on such other series as Starsky and Hutch
, The Bionic Woman
, Love American Style and The Love Boat
, thanks to family friend Desi Arnaz
. Her first stint as a series regular came in the role of Patricia Apple in the short-lived CBS television series Apple's Way
(1974).
In 1976, McNichol was cast as Buddy in the television drama series Family
(1976–80), for which she earned two Emmy Awards for Best Supporting Actress in a Dramatic Series (1977 and 1979). Many actors and actresses guest-starred on the show, including Helen Hunt
, Michael J. Fox
and Leif Garrett
. Family, produced by Aaron Spelling
, was considered a breakthrough for television drama that dealt with "real life" issues.
In December 1977, McNichol appeared on The Carpenters at Christmas TV special, performing several musical numbers with the duo. In 1978, McNichol and her brother Jimmy made their own foray into music, recording an album, Kristy & Jimmy McNichol, for RCA Records
. The album included the single "He's So Fine" (a cover of The Chiffons
' 1963 hit), which peaked at #70 on the Billboard chart. The McNichols promoted the album at New York's Studio 54
discothèque, with such other big-name celebrities in attendance as Brooke Shields
. In December 1978, McNichol would appear in another Carpenters
holiday special, The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait, this time with Jimmy.
By this time, McNichol was one of the biggest teen stars of the era and appeared on various chat shows, including The Mike Douglas Show
and Dinah!
, as well as making several appearances on Battle of the Network Stars
and other celebrity-based shows. Also in 1978, she starred in the acclaimed made-for-television film adaptation of Bette Greene's Summer of My German Soldier
.
McNichol began her feature film career in the Burt Reynolds
comedy The End
in 1978. She later co-starred with Tatum O'Neal
, Matt Dillon
, and Cynthia Nixon
in the hit coming of age
movie, Little Darlings
, in 1980. Her critically acclaimed performance in that film was considered to be of Academy Award caliber by many reviewers. She appeared with Dennis Quaid
and Mark Hamill
in The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia
(1981), for which, at age 19, she received an unprecedented six-figure salary. The same year, she co-starred in Neil Simon's
Only When I Laugh
, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award
for Best Supporting Actress.
By 1982 McNichol's fortunes began to decline. She starred in the multi-million-dollar-budget musical spoof The Pirate Movie
alongside Christopher Atkins
, but the film flopped at the box office. Later that year, McNichol failed to return to the set of Just The Way You Are
after the production had halted for Christmas vacation. By this time, unfounded rumors of McNichol's alleged drug use were rife and it was often speculated to be the cause of her increasingly problematic behavior later attributed to bipolar disorder. Although McNichol eventually completed the film, her reputation was severely damaged by the incident. Just the Way You Are
underperformed at the box office, despite a healthy opening weekend. After one more unsuccessful starring vehicle, 1986's Dream Lover
, McNichol was subsequently offered only B-film titles and television movies. She supported lead actress Susan Sarandon
in the 1986 TV movie Women of Valor, about American nurses incarcerated in a Japanese concentration camp during World War II, and also appeared in cameo roles in two theatrical films of 1988: You Can't Hurry Love
and Two Moon Junction
.
In 1988, McNichol played Barbara Weston on the NBC
sitcom Empty Nest, a spin-off of The Golden Girls
, along with Richard Mulligan
and Dinah Manoff
. But McNichol's attendance once again became a problem, and she left the series in 1992 when she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She returned to the series for its final episode
in 1995, her last screen appearance as an actress to date, though she went on to voice characters in the animated TV series Extreme Ghostbusters
(1997) and Invasion America
(1998).
in 1997 was a great blow to McNichol, who had a near-death experience herself while scuba-diving in Hawaii in 1992.
In March 1999, McNichol was the subject of an edition of E! True Hollywood Story
, in which she spoke candidly about her career, alleged drug problems, and her mental health problems. McNichol's last public statement was in June 2001, when she said:
McNichol resides in Los Angeles, California. Since retiring from the screen, she has taught acting at a private school in Los Angeles and devoted much of her time to charity work.
1979 :Emmy, for Family
1980 :People's Choice Award for "Favorite Young Motion Picture Actress"
1982 :Young Artist Award
, for Only When I Laugh
1989 :Razzie Award, for Two Moon Junction
1979 :Golden Globe, for Family
1980 :Emmy, for Family
1981 :Young Artist Award
, for My Old Man
and Little Darlings
1982 :Golden Globe, for Only When I Laugh
1983 :Razzie Award, for The Pirate Movie
McNichol is best known for her roles as Leticia “Buddy” Lawrence on the television drama series Family
Family (TV series)
Family is an American television drama series that aired on ABC from 1976 to 1980. Creative control of the show was split between executive producers Leonard Goldberg, Aaron Spelling and Mike Nichols...
and as Barbara Weston on the sitcom Empty Nest. She is also the sister of former child actor Jimmy McNichol. McNichol retired from acting when she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder, historically known as manic–depressive disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or...
in 1992.
Early life and career
McNichol was born in Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, the daughter of Carolyn McNichol Lucas, a business manager and actress, and Jim McNichol, a carpenter. She has two brothers from that marriage: Thomas and Jimmy McNichol. Her parents divorced when she was six years old. When McNichol was 19 her mother married Siegfried Lucas. In the same year Lucas and McNichol's mother adopted McNichol's sister Jennifer Lucas.
McNichol appeared with her brother Jimmy in commercials and later, on her own, in guest appearances on such other series as Starsky and Hutch
Starsky and Hutch
Starsky and Hutch is a 1970s American cop thriller television series that consisted of a 90-minute pilot movie and 92 episodes of 60 minutes each; created by William Blinn, produced by Spelling-Goldberg Productions, and broadcast between April 30, 1975 and May 15, 1979 on the ABC...
, The Bionic Woman
The Bionic Woman
The Bionic Woman is an American television series starring Lindsay Wagner that aired for three seasons between 1976 and 1978 as a spin off from The Six Million Dollar Man. Wagner stars as tennis pro Jaime Sommers who is nearly killed in a skydiving accident. Sommers' life is saved by Oscar Goldman ...
, Love American Style and The Love Boat
The Love Boat
The Love Boat is an American television series set on a cruise ship, which aired on the ABC Television Network from September 24,1977, until May 24,1986.The show starred Gavin MacLeod as the ship's captain...
, thanks to family friend Desi Arnaz
Desi Arnaz
Desi Arnaz was a Cuban-born American musician, actor and television producer. While he gained international renown for leading a Latin music band, the Desi Arnaz Orchestra, he is probably best known for his role as Ricky Ricardo on the American TV series I Love Lucy, starring with Lucille Ball, to...
. Her first stint as a series regular came in the role of Patricia Apple in the short-lived CBS television series Apple's Way
Apple's Way
Apple's Way is a television dramedy which aired on CBS from 1974-1975. It was created by Earl Hamner, Jr..-Premise:The Apples, a family from Los Angeles, seek refuge from the hectic pace of city living and relocate to the father's hometown of Appleton, Iowa, which was founded by the father's...
(1974).
In 1976, McNichol was cast as Buddy in the television drama series Family
Family (TV series)
Family is an American television drama series that aired on ABC from 1976 to 1980. Creative control of the show was split between executive producers Leonard Goldberg, Aaron Spelling and Mike Nichols...
(1976–80), for which she earned two Emmy Awards for Best Supporting Actress in a Dramatic Series (1977 and 1979). Many actors and actresses guest-starred on the show, including Helen Hunt
Helen Hunt
Helen Elizabeth Hunt is an American actress, film director, and screenwriter. She starred in the sitcom Mad About You for seven years, before being cast in the romantic comedy As Good as It Gets...
, Michael J. Fox
Michael J. Fox
Michael J. Fox, OC is a Canadian American actor, author, producer, activist and voice-over artist. With a film and television career spanning from the late 1970s, Fox's roles have included Marty McFly from the Back to the Future trilogy ; Alex P...
and Leif Garrett
Leif Garrett
Leif Garrett is an American singer and actor. He became famous in the late 1970s as a teen idol, but received much publicity in later life for his drug abuse and legal troubles.-Early life:...
. Family, produced by Aaron Spelling
Aaron Spelling
Aaron Spelling was an American film and television producer. As of 2009, Spelling's eponymous production company Spelling Television holds the record as the most prolific television writer, with 218 producer and executive producer credits...
, was considered a breakthrough for television drama that dealt with "real life" issues.
In December 1977, McNichol appeared on The Carpenters at Christmas TV special, performing several musical numbers with the duo. In 1978, McNichol and her brother Jimmy made their own foray into music, recording an album, Kristy & Jimmy McNichol, for RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
. The album included the single "He's So Fine" (a cover of The Chiffons
The Chiffons
The Chiffons was an all girl group originating from the Bronx area of New York in 1960.-Biography:The Chiffons were one of the top girl groups of the early 1960s...
' 1963 hit), which peaked at #70 on the Billboard chart. The McNichols promoted the album at New York's Studio 54
Studio 54
Studio 54 was a highly popular discotheque from 1977 until 1991, located at 254 West 54th Street in Manhattan, New York, USA. It was originally the Gallo Opera House, opening in 1927, after which it changed names several times, eventually becoming a CBS radio and television studio. In 1977 it...
discothèque, with such other big-name celebrities in attendance as Brooke Shields
Brooke Shields
Brooke Christa Shields is an American actress and model. Some of her better-known movies include Pretty Baby and The Blue Lagoon, as well as TV shows such as Suddenly Susan, That '70s Show and Lipstick Jungle....
. In December 1978, McNichol would appear in another Carpenters
The Carpenters
Carpenters were an American vocal and instrumental duo, consisting of sister Karen and brother Richard Carpenter. The Carpenters were the #1 selling American music act of the 1970s. Though often referred to by the public as "The Carpenters", the duo's official name on authorized recordings and...
holiday special, The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait, this time with Jimmy.
By this time, McNichol was one of the biggest teen stars of the era and appeared on various chat shows, including The Mike Douglas Show
The Mike Douglas Show
The Mike Douglas Show is an American daytime television talk show hosted by Mike Douglas that aired in syndication from 1961 to 1982, distributed by Westinghouse Broadcasting and for much of its run, originated from studios of two of the company's TV stations.The program featured light banter with...
and Dinah!
Dinah!
Dinah! is a daytime talk show hosted by singer and actress Dinah Shore, which aired in American syndication markets through 20th Century Fox Television from its premiere on September 9, 1974 until the summer of 1980...
, as well as making several appearances on Battle of the Network Stars
Battle of the Network Stars
Battle of the Network Stars is the name of 19 US television specials featuring competitions among teams of popular television performers representing the three major broadcast networks at that time: ABC, CBS, and NBC.- History :...
and other celebrity-based shows. Also in 1978, she starred in the acclaimed made-for-television film adaptation of Bette Greene's Summer of My German Soldier
Summer of My German Soldier (TV film)
Summer Of My German Soldier is a 1978 made-for-TV movie based on the novel of the same name written by Bette Greene. It stars Kristy McNichol as a Jewish-American girl and Bruce Davison as the German prisoner of war whom she befriends.-Plot:...
.
McNichol began her feature film career in the Burt Reynolds
Burt Reynolds
Burton Leon "Burt" Reynolds, Jr. is an American actor. Some of his memorable roles include Bo 'Bandit' Darville in Smokey and the Bandit, Lewis Medlock in Deliverance, Bobby "Gator" McCluskey in White Lightning and sequel Gator, Paul Crewe and Coach Nate Scarborough in The Longest Yard and its...
comedy The End
The End (film)
The End is a 1978 comedy film, directed by Burt Reynolds and starring Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Sally Field, Strother Martin, David Steinberg, Joanne Woodward, Norman Fell, Myrna Loy, Kristy McNichol, Pat O'Brien, Robby Benson, and Carl Reiner.- Plot :...
in 1978. She later co-starred with Tatum O'Neal
Tatum O'Neal
Tatum Beatrice O'Neal is an American actress best known for her film work as a child actress in the 1970s. She is the youngest to win a competitive Academy Award, at the age of 10, which she won for her performance as Addie Loggins in Paper Moon opposite her father Ryan O'Neal...
, Matt Dillon
Matt Dillon
Matthew Raymond "Matt" Dillon is an American actor and film director. He began acting in the late 1970s, gaining fame as a teenage idol during the 1980s.- Early life :...
, and Cynthia Nixon
Cynthia Nixon
Cynthia Ellen Nixon is an American actress, known for her portrayal of Miranda Hobbes in the HBO series Sex and the City . She has received two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, and a Grammy Award....
in the hit coming of age
Coming of age
Coming of age is a young person's transition from childhood to adulthood. The age at which this transition takes place varies in society, as does the nature of the transition. It can be a simple legal convention or can be part of a ritual, as practiced by many societies...
movie, Little Darlings
Little Darlings
Little Darlings is a 1980 teen film starring Tatum O'Neal, Kristy McNichol, Matt Dillon and Armand Assante, directed by Ronald F. Maxwell.The screenplay is written by Kimi Peck and Dalene Young. The original music score is composed by Charles Fox...
, in 1980. Her critically acclaimed performance in that film was considered to be of Academy Award caliber by many reviewers. She appeared with Dennis Quaid
Dennis Quaid
Dennis William Quaid is an American actor known for his comedic and dramatic roles. First gaining widespread attention in the 1980s, his career rebounded in the 1990s after he overcame an addiction to drugs and an eating disorder...
and Mark Hamill
Mark Hamill
Mark Richard Hamill is an American actor, voice artist, producer, director, and writer, best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the original trilogy of Star Wars. More recently, he has received acclaim for his voice work, in such roles as the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series, Firelord...
in The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia
The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia (film)
The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia is a 1981 film, starring Kristy McNichol, Dennis Quaid, Mark Hamill, and Don Stroud, directed by Ronald F. Maxwell. It was very loosely inspired by the Vicki Lawrence song of the same name...
(1981), for which, at age 19, she received an unprecedented six-figure salary. The same year, she co-starred in Neil Simon's
Neil Simon
Neil Simon is an American playwright and screenwriter. He has written numerous Broadway plays, including Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues, and The Odd Couple. He won the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play Lost In Yonkers. He has written the screenplays for several of his plays that...
Only When I Laugh
Only When I Laugh (film)
Only When I Laugh is a 1981 film based on Neil Simon's play The Gingerbread Lady.The story is about an alcoholic Broadway actress who tries to stay sober while dealing with the problems of her teenaged daughter and her friends: an overly vain woman who fears the loss of her looks and a gay actor...
, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award
Golden Globe Award
The Golden Globe Award is an accolade bestowed by the 93 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association recognizing excellence in film and television, both domestic and foreign...
for Best Supporting Actress.
By 1982 McNichol's fortunes began to decline. She starred in the multi-million-dollar-budget musical spoof The Pirate Movie
The Pirate Movie
The Pirate Movie is a 1982 musical and comedy film directed by Ken Annakin and starring Christopher Atkins and Kristy McNichol. The film is loosely based on Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera The Pirates of Penzance. The original music score is composed by Mike Brady and Peter Sullivan...
alongside Christopher Atkins
Christopher Atkins
Christopher Atkins is an American actor, who became famous with his costarring debut role in the 1980 film The Blue Lagoon.-Early life:...
, but the film flopped at the box office. Later that year, McNichol failed to return to the set of Just The Way You Are
Just the Way You Are (film)
Just the Way You Are is a 1984 comedy/drama film that stars Kristy McNichol and Michael Ontkean. It was directed by Edouard Molinaro.-Plot:...
after the production had halted for Christmas vacation. By this time, unfounded rumors of McNichol's alleged drug use were rife and it was often speculated to be the cause of her increasingly problematic behavior later attributed to bipolar disorder. Although McNichol eventually completed the film, her reputation was severely damaged by the incident. Just the Way You Are
Just the Way You Are (film)
Just the Way You Are is a 1984 comedy/drama film that stars Kristy McNichol and Michael Ontkean. It was directed by Edouard Molinaro.-Plot:...
underperformed at the box office, despite a healthy opening weekend. After one more unsuccessful starring vehicle, 1986's Dream Lover
Dream Lover
"Dream Lover" is a song written and recorded by Bobby Darin on March 5, 1959. It was produced by Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler and engineered by Tom Dowd. It is considered a soulful rock song. The song became a multi-million seller, reaching #2 in US charts and was #1 in UK for three weeks during...
, McNichol was subsequently offered only B-film titles and television movies. She supported lead actress Susan Sarandon
Susan Sarandon
Susan Sarandon is an American actress. She has worked in films and television since 1969, and won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the 1995 film Dead Man Walking. She had also been nominated for the award for four films before that and has received other recognition for her...
in the 1986 TV movie Women of Valor, about American nurses incarcerated in a Japanese concentration camp during World War II, and also appeared in cameo roles in two theatrical films of 1988: You Can't Hurry Love
You Can't Hurry Love
"You Can't Hurry Love" is 1966 song originally released by The Supremes for the Motown label.Written and produced by Motown production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, the song topped the United States Billboard pop singles chart and in the UK in the top 5, released and peaking late summer in 1966...
and Two Moon Junction
Two Moon Junction
Two Moon Junction is a 1988 American English language erotic thriller and romance film written and directed by Zalman King, starring Sherilyn Fenn and Richard Tyson...
.
In 1988, McNichol played Barbara Weston on the NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
sitcom Empty Nest, a spin-off of The Golden Girls
The Golden Girls
The Golden Girls is an American sitcom created by Susan Harris, which originally aired on NBC from September 14, 1985, to May 9, 1992. Starring Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty, the show centers on four older women sharing a home in Miami, Florida...
, along with Richard Mulligan
Richard Mulligan
Richard Mulligan was an American television and film actor best known for his role as Burt Campbell in the 1970s sitcom Soap and later as Dr. Harry Weston on The Golden Girls and its spin-off Empty Nest.-Early life:He was born in New York City, the younger brother of director Robert Mulligan...
and Dinah Manoff
Dinah Manoff
Dinah Beth Manoff is an American stage, film and television actress and television director best known for her roles as Elaine Lefkowitz on Soap, Marty Maraschino in the film Grease, Libby Tucker in both the stage and film adaptations of I Ought to Be in Pictures, for which she won a Tony award,...
. But McNichol's attendance once again became a problem, and she left the series in 1992 when she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She returned to the series for its final episode
Life Goes On (Empty Nest)
"Life Goes On" is the name of the final episode of the American television series Empty Nest. This episode ran for 1 hour and aired on NBC on April 29, 1995. This episode marked the return of Kristy McNichol, who left during the fifth season after she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.This was...
in 1995, her last screen appearance as an actress to date, though she went on to voice characters in the animated TV series Extreme Ghostbusters
Extreme Ghostbusters
Extreme Ghostbusters is an animated television series and a follow-up to the animated series Slimer! and the Real Ghostbusters. It is a part of the film/TV Ghostbusters franchise...
(1997) and Invasion America
Invasion America
Invasion America is an animated science fiction miniseries that aired in the prime time lineup on The WB Television Network and later as a part of the Kids' WB programming block...
(1998).
Post-acting life
The untimely death from cancer of her long-time friend Elisabeth BrooksElisabeth Brooks
Elisabeth Brooks was a Canadian film and television actress.Brooks was born Elisabeth Brooks Luyties in Toronto, Ontario and began her acting career aged five encompassing both stage and screen...
in 1997 was a great blow to McNichol, who had a near-death experience herself while scuba-diving in Hawaii in 1992.
In March 1999, McNichol was the subject of an edition of E! True Hollywood Story
E! True Hollywood Story
E! True Hollywood Story is an American documentary series on E! that deals with famous Hollywood celebrities, movies, TV shows and well-known public figures...
, in which she spoke candidly about her career, alleged drug problems, and her mental health problems. McNichol's last public statement was in June 2001, when she said:
"A lot of people have wondered what I've been up to. I retired from my career after 24 years. My feeling was that it was time to play my biggest part – MYSELF! I must say that it has been the best thing that ever happened to me. So many fans are disappointed that I'm not currently acting, however some may not realize that the process I'm in at this time is necessary and vital for my personal happiness and well-being."
McNichol resides in Los Angeles, California. Since retiring from the screen, she has taught acting at a private school in Los Angeles and devoted much of her time to charity work.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Love, American Style Love, American Style Love, American Style is an hour-long TV anthology produced by Paramount Television and originally aired between September 1969 and January 1974... |
Steffi | Segment: "Love and the Unsteady Steady" |
| 1974 | Apple's Way Apple's Way Apple's Way is a television dramedy which aired on CBS from 1974-1975. It was created by Earl Hamner, Jr..-Premise:The Apples, a family from Los Angeles, seek refuge from the hectic pace of city living and relocate to the father's hometown of Appleton, Iowa, which was founded by the father's... |
Rachel | Episode: "The Lamb" |
| 1974-1975 | Apple's Way Apple's Way Apple's Way is a television dramedy which aired on CBS from 1974-1975. It was created by Earl Hamner, Jr..-Premise:The Apples, a family from Los Angeles, seek refuge from the hectic pace of city living and relocate to the father's hometown of Appleton, Iowa, which was founded by the father's... |
Patricia Apple | 12 episodes |
| 1975 | ABC Afterschool Specials | Jenna McPhail | Episode: "Fawn Story Fawn Story Fawn Story is a 1975 episode of the ABC Afterschool Special, directed by Larry Elikann.-Plot:Farmer John McPhail allows his children Jenna and Toby to nurse a wounded deer. They plan on releasing the animal after it's healed... " |
| 1976 | ABC Afterschool Specials | Nina Beckwith | Episode: "Me and Dad's New Wife Me and Dad's New Wife Me and Dad's New Wife is a 1976 ABC Afterschool Special, directed by Larry Elikann. The film is based upon a Stella Pevsner book, A Smart Kid Like You.-Synopsis:... " |
| 1976 | Starsky and Hutch Starsky and Hutch Starsky and Hutch is a 1970s American cop thriller television series that consisted of a 90-minute pilot movie and 92 episodes of 60 minutes each; created by William Blinn, produced by Spelling-Goldberg Productions, and broadcast between April 30, 1975 and May 15, 1979 on the ABC... |
Meg Molly Edwards |
Episode: "The Hostages" Episode: "Little Girl Lost" |
| 1976 | Sara Sara (US TV series) Sara is a short-lived American sitcom that aired on NBC in 1985. Starring Geena Davis in the title role, the series featured early performances from several actors who went on to greater acclaim, including Alfre Woodard, Bronson Pinchot and Bill Maher... |
Episode: "Grandpa's Girl" | |
| 1976 | Amanda Cory | Episode: "The Ghost Hunter" | |
| 1976-1980 | Family Family (TV series) Family is an American television drama series that aired on ABC from 1976 to 1980. Creative control of the show was split between executive producers Leonard Goldberg, Aaron Spelling and Mike Nichols... |
Letitia 'Buddy' Lawrence | 86 episodes |
| 1977 | Linda Morley | TV movie | |
| 1977 | Black Sunday Black Sunday (1977 film) Black Sunday is a 1977 American thriller film directed by John Frankenheimer and based on the novel by Thomas Harris. The film starred Robert Shaw, Bruce Dern, and Marthe Keller and was nominated for the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Motion Picture in 1978... |
(scenes deleted) | |
| 1977 | Kelly | Episode: "Graham and Kelly" | |
| 1977 | ABC Afterschool Specials | Carlie Higgins | Episode: "The Pinballs The Pinballs The Pinballs is a 1976 young adult novel by American author Betsy Byars. The story is about three foster children, Carlie, Harvey and Thomas J., who have been taken in by the Masons, a couple who have cared for many other foster children in the past in also have some personal problems . Carlie... " |
| 1978 | Starsky and Hutch Starsky and Hutch Starsky and Hutch is a 1970s American cop thriller television series that consisted of a 90-minute pilot movie and 92 episodes of 60 minutes each; created by William Blinn, produced by Spelling-Goldberg Productions, and broadcast between April 30, 1975 and May 15, 1979 on the ABC... |
Joey Carston | Episode: "The Trap" |
| 1978 | Julie Lawson | ||
| 1978 | Like Mom, Like Me Like Mom, Like Me Like Mom, Like Me is a 1978 television film directed by Michael Pressman. The film was based on the novel with the same name written by Sheila Schwartz.-Plot:... |
Jennifer Gruen | TV movie |
| 1978 | Summer of My German Soldier Summer of My German Soldier (TV film) Summer Of My German Soldier is a 1978 made-for-TV movie based on the novel of the same name written by Bette Greene. It stars Kristy McNichol as a Jewish-American girl and Bruce Davison as the German prisoner of war whom she befriends.-Plot:... |
Patty Bergen | TV movie |
| 1979 | My Old Man My Old Man (film) My Old Man is a 1979 television film directed by John Erman. The film is based on an Ernest Hemingway story that had previously been adapted for the 1950 film Under My Skin.-Plot:... |
Jo Butler | TV movie |
| 1980 | Little Darlings Little Darlings Little Darlings is a 1980 teen film starring Tatum O'Neal, Kristy McNichol, Matt Dillon and Armand Assante, directed by Ronald F. Maxwell.The screenplay is written by Kimi Peck and Dalene Young. The original music score is composed by Charles Fox... |
Angel | |
| 1980 | Blinded by the Light Blinded by the Light (film) Blinded by the Light is a 1980 television film directed by John A. Alonzo. The film is based upon a Robin F. Brancato novel.-Plot:David Bowers is a teenager who runs away from home to join a quasi-religious cult... |
Janet Bowers | |
| 1981 | Amanda Child | ||
| 1981 | Only When I Laugh Only When I Laugh (film) Only When I Laugh is a 1981 film based on Neil Simon's play The Gingerbread Lady.The story is about an alcoholic Broadway actress who tries to stay sober while dealing with the problems of her teenaged daughter and her friends: an overly vain woman who fears the loss of her looks and a gay actor... |
Polly | |
| 1982 | White Dog White Dog White Dog is a 1982 American drama film directed by Samuel Fuller using a screenplay written by Fuller and Curtis Hanson loosely based on Romain Gary's 1970 novel of the same title... |
Julie Sawyer | |
| 1982 | Mabel | ||
| 1984 | Just the Way You Are Just the Way You Are (film) Just the Way You Are is a 1984 comedy/drama film that stars Kristy McNichol and Michael Ontkean. It was directed by Edouard Molinaro.-Plot:... |
Susan Berlanger | |
| 1985 | Love, Mary Love, Mary Love, Mary is a television movie that first aired on CBS-TV on 8 October 1985. It is based upon the true story of Dr. Mary Groda-Lewis who struggled with dyslexia.-Plot:... |
Mary Groda-Lewis | TV movie |
| 1986 | Dream Lover Dream Lover (1986 film) Dream Lover is a 1986 thriller film about a woman who undergoes sleep deprivation therapy after being attacked in her apartment - with unexpected results. The film was directed by Alan J. Pakula, and stars Kristy McNichol, Ben Masters, and Joseph Culp... |
Kathy Gardner | |
| 1986 | Women of Valor Women of Valor Women of Valor is a 1986 CBS-TV movie about World War II, directed by Buzz Kulik. It premièred on November 23, 1986 and was released on DVD on March 10, 1998.-Plot:... |
T.J. Nolan | TV movie |
| 1988 | You Can't Hurry Love You Can't Hurry Love (film) You Can't Hurry Love is a 1988 comedy film written and directed by Richard Martini. A guy who moonlights as a low-budget director of commercials is looking for someone to love, so he pays a dating service and is videotaped on several occasions... |
Rhonda | |
| 1988 | Murder, She Wrote Murder, She Wrote Murder, She Wrote is an American television mystery series starring Angela Lansbury as mystery writer and amateur detective Jessica Fletcher. The series aired for 12 seasons from 1984 to 1996 on the CBS network, with 264 episodes transmitted. It was followed by four TV films and a spin-off series,... |
Jill Morton | Episode: "Showdown in Saskatchewan" |
| 1988 | Two Moon Junction Two Moon Junction Two Moon Junction is a 1988 American English language erotic thriller and romance film written and directed by Zalman King, starring Sherilyn Fenn and Richard Tyson... |
Patti Jean | |
| 1988-1995 | Empty Nest Empty Nest Empty Nest is an American sitcom that originally aired on NBC from 1988 to 1995. The series was created as a spin-off of The Golden Girls by creator and producer Susan Harris. For its first three seasons, Empty Nest was one of the year's top 10 most-watched programs... |
Barbara Weston | 100 episodes |
| 1989 | Barbara Stupple | ||
| 1990 | Children of the Bride Children of the Bride Children of the Bride is a 1990 TV movie directed by Jonathan Sanger. The film premiered in 1990 and was released on DVD in 2003. The film was followed by Baby of the Bride and Mother of the Bride .-Cast:... |
Mary | TV movie |
| 1991 | Baby of the Bride Baby of the Bride Baby of the Bride is a 1991 TV movie directed by Bill Bixby. The film premiered in 1991 and was released on DVD in 2003. The film was preceded by Children of the Bride and followed by Mother of the Bride .-Cast:... |
Mary | TV movie |
| 1991 | Barbara Weston | Episode: "Witness" | |
| 1992 | Barbara Weston | Episode: "A Midwinter Night's Dream: Part 2" | |
| 1993 | Mother of the Bride | Mary | TV movie |
| 1997 | Extreme Ghostbusters Extreme Ghostbusters Extreme Ghostbusters is an animated television series and a follow-up to the animated series Slimer! and the Real Ghostbusters. It is a part of the film/TV Ghostbusters franchise... |
Girl in Sub (voice) | Episode: "Dry Spell" |
| 1998 | Invasion America Invasion America Invasion America is an animated science fiction miniseries that aired in the prime time lineup on The WB Television Network and later as a part of the Kids' WB programming block... |
Sgt. Angela 'Angie' Romar (voice) | 13 episodes |
Wins
1977 :Emmy, for FamilyFamily (TV series)
Family is an American television drama series that aired on ABC from 1976 to 1980. Creative control of the show was split between executive producers Leonard Goldberg, Aaron Spelling and Mike Nichols...
1979 :Emmy, for Family
1980 :People's Choice Award for "Favorite Young Motion Picture Actress"
1982 :Young Artist Award
Young Artist Award
The Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist...
, for Only When I Laugh
Only When I Laugh (film)
Only When I Laugh is a 1981 film based on Neil Simon's play The Gingerbread Lady.The story is about an alcoholic Broadway actress who tries to stay sober while dealing with the problems of her teenaged daughter and her friends: an overly vain woman who fears the loss of her looks and a gay actor...
1989 :Razzie Award, for Two Moon Junction
Two Moon Junction
Two Moon Junction is a 1988 American English language erotic thriller and romance film written and directed by Zalman King, starring Sherilyn Fenn and Richard Tyson...
Nominations
1978 :Emmy, for FamilyFamily (TV series)
Family is an American television drama series that aired on ABC from 1976 to 1980. Creative control of the show was split between executive producers Leonard Goldberg, Aaron Spelling and Mike Nichols...
1979 :Golden Globe, for Family
1980 :Emmy, for Family
- Young Artist AwardYoung Artist AwardThe Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist...
, for Family
1981 :Young Artist Award
Young Artist Award
The Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist...
, for My Old Man
My Old Man (film)
My Old Man is a 1979 television film directed by John Erman. The film is based on an Ernest Hemingway story that had previously been adapted for the 1950 film Under My Skin.-Plot:...
and Little Darlings
Little Darlings
Little Darlings is a 1980 teen film starring Tatum O'Neal, Kristy McNichol, Matt Dillon and Armand Assante, directed by Ronald F. Maxwell.The screenplay is written by Kimi Peck and Dalene Young. The original music score is composed by Charles Fox...
1982 :Golden Globe, for Only When I Laugh
Only When I Laugh (film)
Only When I Laugh is a 1981 film based on Neil Simon's play The Gingerbread Lady.The story is about an alcoholic Broadway actress who tries to stay sober while dealing with the problems of her teenaged daughter and her friends: an overly vain woman who fears the loss of her looks and a gay actor...
1983 :Razzie Award, for The Pirate Movie
The Pirate Movie
The Pirate Movie is a 1982 musical and comedy film directed by Ken Annakin and starring Christopher Atkins and Kristy McNichol. The film is loosely based on Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera The Pirates of Penzance. The original music score is composed by Mike Brady and Peter Sullivan...