Lisa Whelchel
Encyclopedia
Lisa Diane Whelchel is an American
actress, singer, ventriloquist, and writer
best known for her role in the television series The Facts of Life
as the preppy and wealthy Blair Warner.
, the daughter of Jenny (née
French), a real estate agent, and Jimmy Whelchel, an electrician. Lisa is the older sister of Cody Whelchel and Casey. She was raised for most of her childhood in Fort Worth, Texas
and got her start as a Mouseketeer on The New Mickey Mouse Club, which aired in syndication from 1977-1978.
An original cast member of The Facts of Life
, Whelchel once refused a storyline that would have made her character the first among the four young women in the show to lose her virginity
in that episode. Having become a Christian
when she was 10, Whelchel refused because of her Christian convictions, and the storyline was rewritten for the character of "Natalie." Whelchel appeared in every episode except that one.
Although she has had other roles, her acting career effectively ended after The Facts of Life went off the air in 1988. During her role on The Facts of Life, she was offered a role in the music video for the Christian
singer/songwriter Steve Taylor
's "Meltdown (at Madame Tussaud's)". She also appeared in an episode of ABC's "The Love Boat" in 1983.
In 1984, Whelchel released a Christian pop album entitled All Because of You
. While the album was a modest success (#17 on the Billboard Contemporary Christian charts) and received a Grammy nomination for Best Inspirational Album, Whelchel did not record a follow-up. Among the songs featured on the album were "Just Obey," "Cover Me Lord," and "Good Girl" ("Why be a good girl? Be a good girl!")
She returned to acting for the 2001 made-for-TV movie, The Facts of Life Reunion
, and appeared with two of her Facts of Life co-stars (excluding Nancy McKeon
, who was unable to participate in the movie) on The Today Show in the spring of 2006, admitting to being "bummed out" that Kim Fields
was unable to attend.
On February 1, 2007, Whelchel was reunited with Kim Fields on WFAA-TV's "Good Morning Texas." Fields was in Dallas to promote her appearance in the production, "Issues: We've All Got 'Em,'" when Whelchel was introduced as a surprise guest. It marked the first time in six years (since the reunion movie) that Fields and Whelchel even had contact. The video of the reunion is posted on YouTube.
and hotsaucing
.
Whelchel has been criticized by numerous parenting groups, both Christian and non-Christian, for her views. In 2007, Mary-Alice Cross, president of the Christian Parenting Association of America (CPAA), urged parents not to buy Whelchel's books or practice any of her methods on the grounds that they are physically and emotionally abusive.
She is seldom seen in acting roles today, as she is busy raising and homeschooling her children. Whelchel "feels her current role, as a wife and mother, is her greatest, and most challenging, role yet." In 2000, she founded Momtime Ministries, a religious network of mothers' groups who meet weekly to "equip and refresh and encourage" each other.
She is currently on tour with the Women of Faith group.
s
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress, singer, ventriloquist, and writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
best known for her role in the television series The Facts of Life
The Facts of Life (TV series)
The Facts of Life is an American sitcom that originally ran on the NBC television network from August 24, 1979 to May 7, 1988. A spin-off of the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, the series' premise focused on Edna Garrett as she becomes a housemother at the fictional Eastland School, a prestigious...
as the preppy and wealthy Blair Warner.
Life and career
Whelchel was born in Littlefield, TexasLittlefield, Texas
Littlefield is a city in and the county seat of Lamb County, Texas, United States. The population was 6,507 at the 2000 census. It is located in a significant cotton growing region, northwest of Lubbock on the Llano Estacado just south of the beginning of the Texas Panhandle...
, the daughter of Jenny (née
NEE
NEE is a political protest group whose goal was to provide an alternative for voters who are unhappy with all political parties at hand in Belgium, where voting is compulsory.The NEE party was founded in 2005 in Antwerp...
French), a real estate agent, and Jimmy Whelchel, an electrician. Lisa is the older sister of Cody Whelchel and Casey. She was raised for most of her childhood in Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
and got her start as a Mouseketeer on The New Mickey Mouse Club, which aired in syndication from 1977-1978.
An original cast member of The Facts of Life
The Facts of Life (TV series)
The Facts of Life is an American sitcom that originally ran on the NBC television network from August 24, 1979 to May 7, 1988. A spin-off of the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, the series' premise focused on Edna Garrett as she becomes a housemother at the fictional Eastland School, a prestigious...
, Whelchel once refused a storyline that would have made her character the first among the four young women in the show to lose her virginity
Virginity
Virginity refers to the state of a person who has never engaged in sexual intercourse. There are cultural and religious traditions which place special value and significance on this state, especially in the case of unmarried females, associated with notions of personal purity, honor and worth...
in that episode. Having become a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
when she was 10, Whelchel refused because of her Christian convictions, and the storyline was rewritten for the character of "Natalie." Whelchel appeared in every episode except that one.
Although she has had other roles, her acting career effectively ended after The Facts of Life went off the air in 1988. During her role on The Facts of Life, she was offered a role in the music video for the Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
singer/songwriter Steve Taylor
Steve Taylor
Roland Stephen Taylor , is an American Christian singer, songwriter, record producer and film director.-Early life:Taylor, the eldest of three children, was born in Brawley, California. Taylor's father, Roland Taylor, was a Baptist minister. When Taylor was six years old, the family relocated to...
's "Meltdown (at Madame Tussaud's)". She also appeared in an episode of ABC's "The Love Boat" in 1983.
In 1984, Whelchel released a Christian pop album entitled All Because of You
All Because of You (Lisa Whelchel album)
All Because of You is a 1984 CCM album recorded by Lisa Whelchel. This album was recorded on the Nissi Records label and was distributed by Sparrow Records.-Track listing:# Love Believer# Just Obey# How High, How Deep, How Wide# Real Possibility...
. While the album was a modest success (#17 on the Billboard Contemporary Christian charts) and received a Grammy nomination for Best Inspirational Album, Whelchel did not record a follow-up. Among the songs featured on the album were "Just Obey," "Cover Me Lord," and "Good Girl" ("Why be a good girl? Be a good girl!")
She returned to acting for the 2001 made-for-TV movie, The Facts of Life Reunion
The Facts of Life Reunion
The Facts of Life Reunion is a 2001 made-for-television movie based on the 1979-1988 sitcom The Facts of Life reuniting original cast members Charlotte Rae, Lisa Whelchel, Mindy Cohn and Kim Fields thirteen years later...
, and appeared with two of her Facts of Life co-stars (excluding Nancy McKeon
Nancy McKeon
Nancy Justine McKeon is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Jo Polniaczek on the NBC sitcom The Facts of Life.-Early life & career:...
, who was unable to participate in the movie) on The Today Show in the spring of 2006, admitting to being "bummed out" that Kim Fields
Kim Fields
Kim Victoria Fields is an American actress and television director. She is known for her roles as Tootie Ramsey on the NBC sitcom The Facts of Life, and as Regine Hunter on the Fox sitcom Living Single...
was unable to attend.
On February 1, 2007, Whelchel was reunited with Kim Fields on WFAA-TV's "Good Morning Texas." Fields was in Dallas to promote her appearance in the production, "Issues: We've All Got 'Em,'" when Whelchel was introduced as a surprise guest. It marked the first time in six years (since the reunion movie) that Fields and Whelchel even had contact. The video of the reunion is posted on YouTube.
Christian ministry
Whelchel, who became a born-again Christian at age ten, has devoted her life to her Christian faith. She has written books of anecdotes and advice that provide guidance on various topics which she believes should be handled in a manner appropriate to the Holy Bible. These include topics such as raising children and motherhood. Lisa has spoken about her child rearing books and methods of discipline in her 2005 interview with talk show host Drew Marshall. Whelchel is also a staunch advocate of homeschoolingHomeschooling
Homeschooling or homeschool is the education of children at home, typically by parents but sometimes by tutors, rather than in other formal settings of public or private school...
and hotsaucing
Hotsaucing
Hot saucing is the practice of disciplining a child by putting hot sauce in the child's mouth. It is often considered child abuse, but remains popular with some United States parents.-Popularity:...
.
Whelchel has been criticized by numerous parenting groups, both Christian and non-Christian, for her views. In 2007, Mary-Alice Cross, president of the Christian Parenting Association of America (CPAA), urged parents not to buy Whelchel's books or practice any of her methods on the grounds that they are physically and emotionally abusive.
She is seldom seen in acting roles today, as she is busy raising and homeschooling her children. Whelchel "feels her current role, as a wife and mother, is her greatest, and most challenging, role yet." In 2000, she founded Momtime Ministries, a religious network of mothers' groups who meet weekly to "equip and refresh and encourage" each other.
She is currently on tour with the Women of Faith group.
Family
Whelchel married Steven Cauble, an associate pastor at her church, on July 9, 1988. They have three children: Tucker (born 1990), Haven (born 1991), and Clancy (born 1992).Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Other notes |
| 1979 | The Double McGuffin The Double McGuffin The Double McGuffin is a 1979 children's film directed by Joe Camp. It starred Ernest Borgnine and George Kennedy, alongside a group of young actors, some of whom later became quite famous, including Lisa Whelchel, who would go on to star in the sitcom The Facts of Life. Elke Sommer and NFL stars... |
Jody | |
| The Magician of Lublin | Halina | ||
| 1992 | Where the Red Fern Grows: Part 2 | Sara Coleman | Direct-to-video release |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1977 | The New Mickey Mouse Club | Herself | |
| The Mouseketeers at Walt Disney World | Herself | Television special Television special A television special is a television program which interrupts or temporarily replaces programming normally scheduled for a given time slot. Sometimes, however, the term is given to a telecast of a theatrical film, such as The Wizard of Oz or The Ten Commandments, which is not part of a regular... |
|
| 1978 | 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... |
Cathy Connelly | Episode: All for Love |
| 1979 | Disney's Wonderful World | Robin Lapp | Episode: Shadow of Fear (1) Episode: Shadow of Fear (2) |
| 1979, 1981 | Diff'rent Strokes Diff'rent Strokes Diff'rent Strokes is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC from November 3, 1978 to May 4, 1985, and on ABC from September 27, 1985 to March 7, 1986... |
Blair Warner | Episode: The Girls School Episode: The Older Man |
| 1979–1988 | The Facts of Life The Facts of Life (TV series) The Facts of Life is an American sitcom that originally ran on the NBC television network from August 24, 1979 to May 7, 1988. A spin-off of the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, the series' premise focused on Edna Garrett as she becomes a housemother at the fictional Eastland School, a prestigious... |
Blair Warner | 200 episodes |
| 1980 | Skyward | Lisa Ward | 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... Television movie Television movie A television film is a feature film that is a television program produced for and originally distributed by a television network, in contrast to... /Television pilot Television pilot A "television pilot" is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell the show to a television network. At the time of its inception, the pilot is meant to be the "testing ground" to see if a series will be possibly desired and successful and therefore a test episode of an... |
| 1981 | Twirl | Jill Moore | 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... Television movie Television movie A television film is a feature film that is a television program produced for and originally distributed by a television network, in contrast to... |
| 1982 | The Facts of Life Goes to Paris | Blair Warner | 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... Television movie Television movie A television film is a feature film that is a television program produced for and originally distributed by a television network, in contrast to... |
| The Wild Women of Chastity Gulch The Wild Women of Chastity Gulch The Wild Women of Chastity Gulch is a made-for-ABC Network comedic western movie starring Priscilla Barnes and Joan Collins from executive producer Aaron Spelling. It premiered on October 31, 1982 and was later syndicated to cable television for rebroadcast. -Synopsis:In Civil War-era Southern... |
Amy Cole | ABC American Broadcasting Company The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948... Television movie Television movie A television film is a feature film that is a television program produced for and originally distributed by a television network, in contrast to... |
|
| 1983, 1985 | 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... |
Caroline Keley Barrett |
Episode: Captain and the Kid...(1) Episode: Captain and the Kid (2) Episode: German Cruise - The Villa... (1) Episode: German Cruise - The Villa... (2) |
| 1987 | The Facts of Life Down Under | Blair Warner | 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... Television movie Television movie A television film is a feature film that is a television program produced for and originally distributed by a television network, in contrast to... |
| 2001 | The Facts of Life Reunion The Facts of Life Reunion The Facts of Life Reunion is a 2001 made-for-television movie based on the 1979-1988 sitcom The Facts of Life reuniting original cast members Charlotte Rae, Lisa Whelchel, Mindy Cohn and Kim Fields thirteen years later... |
Blair Warner | ABC American Broadcasting Company The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948... Television movie Television movie A television film is a feature film that is a television program produced for and originally distributed by a television network, in contrast to... |
Awards and nominations
Young Artist AwardYoung 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...
s
- 1982: Nominated, "Best Young Comedienne in a Motion Picture or Television" - The Facts of Life
- 1982: Nominated, "Best Young Actress in a Television Special" - Twirl
- 1983: Nominated, "Best Young Actress in a Comedy Series" - The Facts of Life
- 1984: Nominated, "Best Young Actress in a Comedy Series" - The Facts of Life