This veteran actress didn’t plan on an acting career, but one unexpected role on a popular TV show changed her life. Now, in her late fifties, she’s overcome major challenges and is living happily today. Here’s a look at her inspiring journey and how she’s doing now.
Known for playing Natalie Green on *The Facts of Life* (1979–1988), she was discovered as a teenager. Years later, health issues forced her to leave Hollywood, but now, at 58, she’s thriving once again.
In a 2013 article, the actress shared about her younger years, saying, “Have I ever mentioned performing or wanting to act? No, sir.”
She explained, “If someone had asked what I wanted to be, I’d have probably said a doctor, since I wanted to help people and had a talent for it.”
Her acting journey happened by chance. In the summer of 1979, just before ninth grade, she and some classmates were pulled from class to meet TV producers creating a new sitcom set in a girls’ school.
The producers, including actress Charlotte Rae, were casting for The Facts of Life and thought she’d be perfect for a role. Rae found her “charming and funny,” suggesting a part be created for her.
Her role on The Facts of Life made her a household name. She continued acting after the show and voiced Velma in What’s New, Scooby-Doo? for over a decade.
But in 2012, her life took a turn. One morning, she felt unusually tired during a walk. She called her friend Helen Hunt for help. After a doctor’s visit, tests revealed troubling news: she had breast cancer.
For the next five years, she endured a “siege,” facing surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation. Known for her optimism, she admitted feeling worn down by the recurring cancer.
“I kept waiting for things to get better, but they didn’t,” she said. “I couldn’t control or fix any of it.”
Seeking peace, she left Hollywood for a quiet life in the country. She moved to a farm owned by friends Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Dr. Brent Ridge, where she found a sense of family.
The farm kept her busy, from stacking shelves to feeding chickens and even caring for goats. Her friends often saw her helping around the property, finding comfort in the farm work.
In 2017, she was declared cancer-free and expressed gratitude for her parents and close friends who supported her through it all.
With her health restored, she returned to Hollywood, reconnecting with her fans and eager for new roles. She felt ready to work again, saying, “I think I’m a good actress, and I have a lot to give.”
At 58, she remains single and child-free, having dedicated herself to her career. Though she enjoys seeing her friends’ families, she cherishes the close relationships in her life.
She’s open to finding love, but with a strong network of loved ones, she feels fulfilled, knowing she can lean on others and support them in return.
Now in her late fifties, she has embraced aging naturally. Feeling more beautiful than in her youth, she avoids cosmetic fixes, humorously singing Let It Go from Frozen when tempted.
As she nears sixty, she is living life fully, surrounded by friends, pursuing her passions, and looking forward to what’s next. Her journey shows that love, humor, and resilience can guide us through even the hardest times, making every chapter meaningful.
15 Pics That Prove Genes Can Be Very Powerful
We all have about 22,000 genes and sometimes we share enough genes with our family to be an almost identical copy of them. Although there may be 50 years between the 2 photos, their faces look the same thanks to the magic of these genes. There are some people who are carbon copies of their relatives, confirmed by their photos that simply blow us away.
Bright Side would like to share with you just how cool our genes can be with some exceptional photos we found.
1. “My mom and sister, both at age 6”
2. “My mom (left) age 4 in 1971. Me (right) age 4 in 2001. I see why people say we look alike.”
3. Grandmother 1941 and granddaughter 1999, same genes
4. “Me, 1992. Mom, 1954.”
5. “Here’s me and my fraternal twin.”
6. “Me on the left (circa ’90s, Canada) and my grand-dad (circa ’40s, Ireland).”
7. “My old man and me at the same age, 35 years apart.”
8. “Me in 1971 and my son in 1994”
9. “My mother at age 21 (L) and me at age 27.”
10. “My father, age 24 in 1951. And 24-year-old me.”
11. “I always knew that my mom and sister looked alike, but seeing them side by side is uncanny.”
12. “My brother (2016) and my grandfather (1948)”
13. “I’ve been told a lot that I look like my Finnish grandma.”
14. “My dad 1958… Me 1988.”
15. “Side-by-side comparison of my identical twin and me.”
Who do you look most like in your family? Share a photo of someone you look like so that we can compare!
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