What Ever Happened To: Kristy McNichol

Kristy McNichol won two Emmys before she turned 20. She was a favorite actress for many growing up in the era. In a recent Biography episode, both George Clooney and Brad Pitt admitted having crushes on her. Yet, by the time she was 30, she was gone from TV and movie screens.

Living in LA, Kristy got into the industry early, appearing in commercials. This eventually led to a regular role on the TV series APPLE’S WAY, guest spots on TV series such as THE BIONIC WOMAN and STARSKY AND HUTCH, as well as Afterschool Specials.


In 1976 she got what is still her best known role, that of Buddy in FAMILY. This Aaron Spelling produced family drama that ran for 86 episodes between the years of 1976 and 1980 was a favorite for many (including myself). Kristy was nominated each year of the show’s run, and won it twice, for the first year in 1977 and again in 1979.

She starred in many TV movies of the 70’s such as SUMMER OF MY GERMAN SOLDIER, MY OLD MAN, and BLINDED BY THE LIGHT (with her brother Jimmy McNichol) but would also hit the big screen, playing Burt Reynold’s daughter in 1978’s THE END.

This being the 70’s, and being one of the biggest stars on TV, Kristy starred in several of the BATTLE OF THE NETWORK STARS, as well as CIRCUS OF THE STARS and THE LOVE BOAT. She and her brother even had a variety special of their own. Completely forgotten it seems (it doesn’t even appear on the IMDB) I remember loving it, with guest stars liked Conrad Bain of DIFF’RENT STROKES. Someone please issue this on DVD!

As FAMILY continued to run, the producers were afraid that Kristy would walk because of her increasing popularity, and she felt pressure from her family to earn more money. They brought on Quinn Cummings as a younger family member in case she left. But, Kristy stayed through the run of the show.


1980 saw the release of LITTLE DARLINGS. This summer camp comedy co-starring Tatum O’Neal and Matt Dillon was a big hit, proving that she could be just as popular in feature films.

Unfortunately, her next few films weren’t as successful. THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN GEORGIA, while I enjoyed parts of it (I wrote about it here), wasn’t a box office smash.



Here is a very nice performance by Kristy from THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN GEORGIA, "I Need You Strong For Me"

Neil Simon’s ONLY WHEN I LAUGH was well received by critics, but not as much by audiences.

Disaster struck with her next two films.

Paramount was set to release her film WHITE DOG. Starring Burl Ives and Paul Winfield, Kristy played an actress, who adopts a dog, only to find out that it was trained to attack African Americans. Directed by Sam Fuller (and co-written by Curtis Hanson) the film was attacked by groups as being racist when in fact it was an anti-racism film. So controversial, the studio never released it. It has appeared on cable over the years (even on Lifetime of all channels) and is a very good film. Criterion should be releasing it on DVD in the near future. (EDIT: They have and you can read my review here.)


After WHITE DOG, Kristy starred with BLUE LAGOON’S Christopher Atkins in the big musical THE PIRATE MOVIE. Reviews were terrible. It does have a sort of cult following now. But then again, so do most 80’s movies.


It was during the making of JUST THE WAY YOU ARE, a romantic comedy, that more serious problems occurred. She had a breakdown of sorts in the middle of filming and shooting was called off. It came out that she was manic-depressive / bi polar. She was eventually able to finish the film, but it wasn’t very well received.

The next few years had little of note as far as film work. There was Alan Pakula’s misfire DREAM LOVER, a TV movie WOMEN OF VALOR and a small role in a comedy called YOU CAN’T HURRY LOVE.

Her one notable film from this period was a wild and very funny cameo in TWO MOON JUNCTION. Playing a truck driver, it was a whole different side of her.

She was eventually lured back to episodic TV with EMPTY NEST in 1988. The GOLDEN GIRLS spin-off with Richard Mulligan and Dinah Manoff was a ratings hit. She remained on the show until 1992. She did return for the 1995 series finale.

After EMPTY NEST, she has stayed away from both film and TV. Other than voicing a couple of animated cartoons, 1997’s EXTREME GHOSTBUSTERS and a WB cartoon INVASION AMERICA in 1998, she has left the industry.


So, What Ever Happened To Her?

Kristy was never really happy in the limelight. There was intense pressure from her family, where she essentially had to support them.

In the 1980’s, she often found herself taking side jobs. For a while, she acted as a real estate appraiser. She didn’t need the money, but found a satisfaction in the work, in doing her own thing and setting her own hours. She also worked as a hair stylist.

In recent years, she has spent most of her time doing charity work.

Her last public statement was in 2001:

"A lot of people have wondered what I've been up to. I retired from my career after 24 years. My feeling was that it was time to play my biggest part — MYSELF! I must say that it has been the best thing that ever happened to me. So many fans are disappointed that I'm not currently acting, however some may not realize that the process I'm in at this time is necessary and vital for my personal happiness and well-being."

She also appeared at a 2007 autograph show in California.

Kristy was always a favorite of mine. While I would welcome a return to the screen from her, I also hope that she is doing well. From all reports, she is.

Kristy McNichol on DVD



Kristy McNichol on VHS