Kristy McNichol is a name that many people who grew up in the 80s will remember. She was one of the most popular and talented young actresses of her generation, starring in hit TV shows like Family and Empty Nest, and movies like Little Darlings and Only When I Laugh. She won two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe nomination for her performances and was admired by fans and critics alike.
But behind the scenes, she was struggling with personal issues that eventually led her to retire from acting in 1992, at the age of 30. She revealed later that she suffered from bipolar disorder, and that she wanted to live a more private and peaceful life. She also came out as a lesbian in 2012 and has been in a long-term relationship with her partner Martie Allen. In this article, we will explore the life and career of Kristy McNichol, and how she became a Hollywood icon of the 80s.
Birth, Family, and Education
Kristy McNichol, birth name Christina Ann McNichol, was born in Los Angeles, California, USA, on September 11, 1962. Her parents, James and Carolyn McNichol, separated when she was just three years old. Her father was employed as a carpenter while her mother engaged in different jobs to support the family financially.
She had two siblings, Jimmy and Thomas, and a stepsister, Jennifer Lucas, from her mom’s remarriage. Jimmy also pursued a career in acting and singing as a kid. She had a mixed heritage of Scottish, Irish, and Lebanese. She was born under the sign of Virgo. There is no information about her schooling, but she started to model and act as a child. She and her brother Jimmy were in many TV ads, and she made her first TV appearance in 1973.
Kristy McNichol Acting Career
She started her career as a child actor, appearing in ads and TV shows like The Bionic Woman, Starsky & Hutch, and The Love Boat. Her first regular role was in Apple’s Way in 1974, but she became famous in 1976 when she played Buddy Lawrence in Family. She earned two Emmys and a Golden Globe nomination for her role in the show, which ended in 1980. She also tried music with her brother Jimmy McNichol, making an album and singing in The Carpenters’ holiday specials in 1977 and 1978.
Her first film was Black Sunday in 1977, but her scenes were deleted. She then acted in The End with Burt Reynolds and Sally Field in 1978, and in Summer of My German Soldier, a TV film that got praise from critics. In 1980, she portrayed Angel, a defiant teen who bets with her friend to lose her virginity, in Little Darlings. The film was controversial for its theme, but it was a success and a cult favorite. She went on to act in films like Only When I Laugh, which got her another Golden Globe nomination, The Pirate Movie, Two Moon Junction, and Dream Lover.
She also lent her voice to animated films such as “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” and “The Canterville Ghost.” In 1988, she became part of Empty Nest, a spin-off of The Golden Girls, as Barbara Weston, a cop and the youngest daughter of the main character. She won a People’s Choice Award for her role, but she quit the show in 1992 because of health problems. McNichol left acting in 2001, saying that she wanted to live a more private and peaceful life.
Kristy McNichol’s Personal Struggles and Triumphs
Kristy McNichol had bipolar disorder and had a breakdown in 1989 when she was in France with her brother for a tour. She got help from doctors and recovered with the support of her loved ones. She quit Empty Nest in 1992 because of health problems. She stopped acting in 2001, wanting to have a more private and peaceful life.
Kristy McNichol announced that she was a lesbian in 2012 and shared that she has been with her partner Martie Allen since the early 1990s . Martie Allen is a former TV personality who was on shows like The Oprah Winfrey Show and Entertainment Tonight. The couple lives in Los Angeles and stays away from the spotlight .
Kristy McNichol has been doing charity work, teaching acting and having fun with hobbies like tennis, yoga, and singing since she retired. She also loves animals and has many pets. She is happy and healthy and does not regret leaving Hollywood.
Social Media
Kristy does not have any presence on any social media platform.
Bottom Line
Kristy McNichol is a former actress who achieved fame and success in the 70s and 80s but also faced personal challenges that led her to leave the spotlight. She is now living a happy and peaceful life with her partner and pursuing her passions. She is an inspiration for many people who grew up watching her on screen and who admire her courage and talent.
