About Kristy Mcnichol
Kristy McNichol is a retired U.S. actress probably best remembered today for her role as Barbara Weston on EMPTY NEST (which it should be duly noted here was a spin-off from the improbable hit THE GOLDEN GIRLS). However, she also contributed to a number of filmic hits in her "hotter" teen years, as will be detailed here. She also had a role on FAMILY as Letitia "Buddy" Lawrence from 1976-1980.
Born Christina Ann McNichol on September 11, 1962 (a date that only became ill-fated much much later), "Kristy" became one of the bigger teen stars of the 1970s era. Technically, she began her film career in 1977's BLACK SUN--but then her scenes were cut. She had better luck starring alongside Burt Reynolds and Sally Field in 1978's THE END. (However, she also won a not-so-coveted Golden Raspberry for 1982's THE PIRATE MOVIE. 1982 was SO not a good year for her, as she had a breakdown in France while filming JUST THE WAY YOU ARE, causing a delay which stopped production on the film for an entire year. She later cited the pressures of teen stardom and other personal difficulties as factors in her breakdown ) (More follows.)
Arguably her breakthrough role, at least in film, was 1980's LITTLE DARLINGS, in which she co-starred with (among others) Tatum O'Neal and Cynthia Nixon (?!?!). Other popular film roles for her were WOMEN OF VALOR, TWO MOON JUNCTION, YOU CAN'T HURRY LOVE, and ONLY WHEN I LAUGH.
In 1992, Kristy was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, resulting in her stepping away from the limelight for awhile--although she returned in 1995 for EMPTY NEST'S final episode--which was her last on-screen performance.
In 2001, Kristy announced that she was retiring from acting, although she continued to teach others and contributed much in the way of charitable work. In 2012, she "came out" as a lesbian, ending much speculation, and revealed she has been in a relationship with Mattie Allen for some time. She says she did this in hopes it will help others who are being bullied for their sexuality.
I must say here, as a personal observation, that it takes tremendous courage to do as Kristy did
and follow the promptings of her heart, when it directly conflicts with external pressures. I applaud her courage and integrity, and hope it makes some long-term difference. 'Nuff said.
(Although I may yet be back with more. We'll see.)
AWARDS & HONORS: She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Dramatic Series
3 times from 1977 to 1979, winning in the "bookend" years.
Trivia: She has a brother Jimmy, who appeared with her in some of her early ads, but later was the first to catapult to fame with a starring role in ALICE. The family then loaded up the truck and they moved to ---well, the greater LA area, anyway. This undoubtedly was a major boost to Kristy's own later career.
She was soon to appear in a 1977 Christmas special, The Carpenter's at Chrismas; Kristy and Jimmy soon launched their own album for RCA and promoted it via New York's Studio 54; it peaked at #20 on the Billboard chart.
Up until her announced retirement in 2001, she continued to act by way of voiceover work, as in Extreme Ghostbusters in 1997 and Invasion America in 1998.
Arguably she was always a greater success on the small screen rather than the big, with a slew of guest appearances on Starsky & Hutch, The Bionic Woman, Love Boat, and Love, American Style--though many of her early roles were partly thanks to family friend Desi Arnaz, a name which may be vaguely familiar to some.
Wherever you are in your life right now, Kristy, just know that we have appreciated your pop cuitural contributions, and that we love you. Take care of you,
