Kristy McNichol Facts: Life and Acting Career Details

Acting came naturally to teen icon Kristy McNichol, who starred in Family on ABC for five seasons. The two-time Emmy winner walked away from Hollywood years later, but not before establishing an incredible legacy as a television star.

Kristy, born in 1962, started appearing in commercials, much like her older brother, Jimmy McNichol, when she was just a child. Their mother, Carolyn McNichol, worked as an extra in films, ultimately helping her children land gigs on television.

“My mother was working on the movie Big Foot,” Kristy told the New York Times in September 1981. ”My brother loved monsters, so my mother brought us to the set one day. I was scared, so I stayed in the car. But a lot of people saw us that day, and they said to my mom, ‘You have two cute kids. They should do commercials.’ My mom asked us what we thought about it, and we thought it sounded exciting. That’s how it started.”

Once she landed the role on Family in 1976, Kristy became one of the most popular teens on television. She also snagged appearances on The Love Boat, Starsky & Hutch and Murder, She Wrote in the years that followed. From 1988 to 1992, the California native played Barbara Weston on Empty Nest, a spinoff of The Golden Girls. She left the show midway through and returned for the series finale in 1995.

In 1998, Kristy voiced a character in the animated series Invasion America, one of her last television credits before announcing her retirement from acting in 2001.

“A lot of people have wondered what I’ve been up to,” she said in a statement at the time. “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.”

Keep scrolling to learn five interesting facts about Kristy.

She Has Continued to Pursue Her Passion For Music

Though the Golden Globe nominee stepped away from acting, her love for music has continued after all of these years. She enrolled in the Los Angeles Valley College music program in 2011 to sing in their choir. Kristy also got involved with the LAVC Foundation, helping to raise the funds that keep the music program going.

“I never want them to lose the music program due to funding because that would be the saddest thing in the world,” she told People in June 2015. “Music really helps young people.”

Kristy and Jimmy Are Still Extremely Close

Kristy and Jimmy have a lot to bond over since they both have had incredible careers in the spotlight very early on. The pair share a Facebook page where they document all of their adventures together, from heading to the Jersey Shore to hanging out with their mom. Their dynamic bond is truly something special!

She Came Out in the Hopes of Inspiring Others

n a January 2012 interview with People, Kristy came out as gay and revealed that she had been living with her longtime partner, Martie Allen, for two decades. The star shared a rare photo with Martie with the outlet at the time.

“She hopes that coming out can help kids who need support,” her publicist Jeff Ballard said. “She would like to help others who feel different.”