Tina believed she’d found her happily ever after when she married her high school sweetheart, Richard. At 18, she eloped with him, despite her dream of a traditional wedding. However, shortly after, Tina became pregnant, and Richard’s true colors emerged. He kicked her out, and when she sought help from his parents, they cruelly accused her of infidelity and cut her off completely. Realizing she was on her own, Tina devoted herself to raising her son, Greg, with all her strength.
Greg grew up aware of his father’s abandonment and supported his mother, eventually becoming a successful businessman. Despite his accomplishments, Greg harbored a deep resentment toward Richard. One day, he tracked down Richard, only to find him frail and struggling. Realizing revenge wasn’t worth it, Greg instead bought Richard’s house, which was being repossessed due to debt.
When Richard arrived at the property agent’s office to finalize the sale, he was stunned to see Tina and Greg there. Greg revealed who he was, ordering Richard to vacate with the same words Richard had used years before: “If I see you again, we’ll have a problem.” Tina watched Richard leave, reflecting on the irony of the moment.
Lisa Whelchel, ‘Facts of Life’ actress, chose her Christian morals over her Hollywood career
Lisa, now 60, thankfully felt supported and hear by the writers and creators of the show, explaining, “I’m sure there were some parts that I wasn’t offered, but that’s OK. I don’t feel like I had any backlash because of it.”
This was not the only time the actress made a choice between fame and faith. She famously turned down the role of Rachel on “Friends,” feeling it would deal too often with sexual topics.
“I don’t regret not taking that opportunity. My kids, on the other hand… I remember my daughter once said, ‘Are you telling me that [Jennifer Aniston’s ex] Brad Pitt could have been my father?”
The star also has been friends with many other like-minded stars, including late “Happy Days” star Erin Moran.
Moran even claimed that Whelchel is the one to have helped her find Jesus Christ after the two met for the NBC made-for-T.V. movie “Twirl”.
Lisa herself found God by chance when she was just 10. Dressed in their only nice dresses, she and a friend decided to go somewhere fun in their special clothes. They wound up at a neighborhood church.
Whelchel realized that she could get free donuts and orange juice every week if she attended Sunday school. Over time, of course, it became more than that.
“Every time I walked through those church doors, it felt like my heart had found its home.”
It’s clear that the actresses’s faith has led her on the right path throughout her career and family life. In addition to her fulfilling marriage with Pete, Lisa finds immense joy in her children and three grandchildren.
According to her, they hold the utmost importance in her life, reflecting the deep love and significance she places on her role as a parent. She frequently shares adorable moments of her grandchildren on Instagram, showcasing her immense pride in them and the deep affection she holds for them.
”Just to know your children are solid, have good hearts, and have found spouses who are amazing people who love them — there is no greater joy,” she says.
We are certainly impressed that she was able to be so forthright in her faith at so young an age.
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