What happened to Kristy McNichol? Where is she today? Wiki

• Kristy McNichol is a retired actress, comedian, singer and producer, best known for her role in several films during her youth.
• Her net worth is estimated to be over $7 million.
• She grew up in Los Angeles where her father worked primarily as a carpenter, and to help make ends meet, her mother took various odd jobs.
• She won two Emmy Awards for her performance in the show “Family”.
• In 2012, she revealed to the public that she is a lesbian, and has been living with a long-term partner for over two decades.



Known for movies

Short Info



Who is Kristy McNichol?

Christina Ann McNichol was born on 11 September 1962, in Los Angeles, California, USA. She is a retired actress, comedian, singer and producer, best known for her role in several films during her youth. These included “Little Darlings” and “Only When I Laugh”, in which she portrayed Polly. She also won two Emmy Awards for her performance in the show “Family”, in which she played Letitia “Buddy” Lawrence.

The Net Worth of Kristy McNichol

As of early-2020, Kristy McNichol’s net worth is estimated to be over $7 million, earned largely through a successful career in the entertainment industry.

While she amassed a good portion of her wealth there, she later moved on to other fields, though she remains active with charity work as a means to give back from all the success she had as an adolescent.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Kristy is of Irish and Lebanese ancestry. She grew up in Los Angeles where her father worked primarily as a carpenter, and to help make ends meet, her mother took various odd jobs, working as an extra in films, as a secretary, saleswoman, and many others. Along with her brother, Jimmy McNichol, the two began a foray into the entertainment industry at a young age, with the support of their parents.

They first began appearing in commercials, and eventually got more offers to work on television.

One of her earliest appearances was as a guest in the series “Starsky & Hutch”, a popular show of the 1970s following the titular police detectives working in South California. More opportunities came her way during the 1970s, as she appeared in several TV series including “The Love Boat”, “Bionic Woman”, and “American Style”.

Rise to Fame

In 1974, McNichol got her first regular role in a television series when she was cast in “Apple’s Way”, portraying the titular Patricia Apple. However, the show was short-lived, as it only ran for two seasons before it was canceled by CBS due to low ratings. A few years later, she was cast in her most notable role in the series “Family” for which she won two Emmy Awards for Best Supporting Actress thanks to her strong performances.

The show ran for four years and told the story of a middle-class family and their day-to-day endeavors. The network’s attempt at a more realistic show was successful, and many of the main cast members’ careers elevated thanks to the series.

While working on the show, she performed with The Carpenters in a television Christmas special, and the siblings decided on pursuing this new interest in music. They released the album “Kristy and Jimmy McNichol”, which contained the song “He’s So Fine” which reached 70th spot on Billboard, and she collaborated once more with The Carpenters during the next holiday season.

By the end of “Family”, she had established herself as one of the top teen stars, and constantly appeared in various talk show, and also participated as a guest celebrity in game shows.

Later Career

In 1978, Kristy was cast in the television movie “Summer of My German Soldier”, which was based on the Bette Greene novel of the same name, and tells the story of a Jewish-American girl who befriends a German prisoner of war during World War II. The movie received acclaim, and helped her step into more mainstream film roles. She made her first appearance in “The End” in which she worked alongside Sally Field and Burt Reynolds.

In 1980, she was cast as the lead character in the film “Little Darlings”, which had her work with Matt Dillon and Tatum O’Neal. While the reception of the film was somewhat mixed, many praised her performance. Later in the year, she was cast in “The Night Lights Went Out in Georgia’ working alongside Mark Hamill and Dennis Quaid – she received a big payday in the film which was estimated to be in six figures, something that was unprecedented at the time. The following year, she won a Golden Globe Award for her work in “Only When I Laugh”.

Final Roles Before Retirement

In 1982, McNichol was in the film “The Pirate Movie”, but which was the first time that her performance received negative reviews, leading her to be nominated for a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress. The film was reviewed poorly by many critics, though many viewers still liked it, and it eventually developed a cult following over the years. However, the damage was done, and it was noticed that she was feeling the pressure and stress of keeping up with her career during her teens.

She suffered an emotional breakdown while filming “Just the Way You Are”, which led to the film being delayed for a year – she broke down due to the pressure, as well as the struggle she was under to hide her sexuality.

She took lesser film roles over the next decade, working on the television movie “Women of Valor” in 1986, and by the end of the decade appearing in “Two Moon Junction” and “You Can’t Hurry Love”. She then worked on the show “Empty Nest”, a spin-off from “The Golden Girls”, staying with the show until 1992. Some of the last projects she was in were “Invasion America” and “Extreme Ghostbusters”, both of which were voice roles.

Personal Life

After a few years away from any acting work, Kristy issued a statement through her publicist that she had retired from acting. She decided to look more into her well-being and pursue her biggest role, which was her life. She began working as an acting teacher in Los Angeles at a private school. She also used much of her earnings to work with various charities.

In 2012, she revealed to the public that she is a lesbian, a widely speculated aspect of her life for most of her career. The announcement ended all rumors, as she also announced that she had been living with a long-term partner for over two decades. While she didn’t initially intend on coming out to the public, she decided to encourage others who are struggling or being bullied because of their sexuality.

General Info

Full NameKristy McNichol
Net Worth$7 Million
Date Of BirthSeptember 11, 1962
Height1.6 m
ProfessionActor, Singer
NationalityAmerican

Family

ParentsJim McNichol, Carolyn McNichol Lucas
SiblingsJimmy McNichol, Thomas McNichol, Jennifer Lucas
PartnerMartie Allen, Martie Allen

Accomplishments

AwardsPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, People's Choice Award for Favorite Young Motion Picture Actress
NominationsPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Drama, Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture, People's Choice Award for Favorite Young Motion Picture Performer
MoviesLittle Darlings, The Pirate Movie, White Dog, Two Moon Junction, The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia, Just the Way You Are, Only When I Laugh, Summer of My German Soldier, Dream Lover, The Forgotten One, Women of Valor, Like Mom, Like Me, You Can't Hurry Love, Blinded by the Light, Love, Mary, ...
TV ShowsInvasion America, Empty Nest, Family, Apple's Way

Social profile links

Facts

#Fact
1Announced her retirement from acting in 2001.
2Taught acting at a private school in Los Angeles. [2001]
3Turned down the Brooke Shields role in Pretty Baby (1978), due to conflicts with Family (1976) producer Aaron Spelling.
4Turned down the Jodie Foster role in Taxi Driver (1976).
5Longtime friends with Elisabeth Brooks and Kari Michaelsen.
6Dropped out of acting because she was sick and tired of acting, wanted to have an average life, and one thing she pursued was going to school to learn how to style hair.
7Ranked #49 in VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Kid Stars"
8Her maternal grandfather was of Lebanese descent. Her other ancestry includes Scottish, Walloon-Belgian, German, and English.
9McNichol's role in the ABC Afterschool Specials (1972), ABC Afterschool Specials: The Pinballs (1977), was to advertise and promote the Halter Top fashions. She wore her personally designed halter tops on the show.
10Younger sister of Jimmy McNichol.
11Was considered for a role in The Bad News Bears (1976), but lost it to Academy Award winner Tatum O'Neal.

Pictures

Movies

Actress

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Only When I Laugh1981Polly Hines
The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia1981Amanda Child
Blinded by the Light1980TV MovieJanet Bowers
Family1976-1980TV SeriesLetitia 'Buddy' Lawrence
Little Darlings1980Angel
My Old Man1979TV MovieJo Butler
Summer of My German Soldier1978TV MoviePatty Bergen
Like Mom, Like Me1978TV MovieJennifer Gruen
The End1978Julie Lawson
Starsky and Hutch1976-1978TV SeriesJoey Carston / Molly Edwards / Meg
ABC Afterschool Specials1975-1977TV SeriesCarlie Higgins / Nina Beckwith / Jenna McPhail
The Love Boat1977TV SeriesKelly Rixie
Black Sunday1977scenes deleted
The Love Boat II1977TV MovieLinda Morley
The Bionic Woman1976TV SeriesAmanda Cory
Sara1976TV Series
Apple's Way1974-1975TV SeriesPatricia Apple / Rachel
Run, Joe, Run1974TV SeriesJudy Barnes
Love, American Style1973TV SeriesSteffi (segment "Love and the Unsteady Steady")
Call to Action to Mayor Bloomberg: Sodas & Soap Operas2012ShortKristy McNichol
Invasion America1998TV SeriesAngie Romar
Extreme Ghostbusters1997TV SeriesGirl in Sub
Empty Nest1988-1995TV SeriesBarbara Weston
Mother of the Bride1993TV MovieMary
The Golden Girls1991-1992TV SeriesBarbara Weston
Baby of the Bride1991TV MovieMary
Children of the Bride1990TV MovieMary
The Forgotten One1989Barbara Stupple
Two Moon Junction1988Patti Jean
Murder, She Wrote1988TV SeriesJill Morton
You Can't Hurry Love1988Rhonda
Women of Valor1986TV MovieT.J. Nolan
Dream Lover1986Kathy Gardner
Love, Mary1985TV MovieMary Groda-Lewis
Just the Way You Are1984Susan Berlanger
The Pirate Movie1982Mabel Stanley
White Dog1982Julie Sawyer
Aladdin and the Magic Lamp1982The Princess (English version, voice)

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Pirate Movie1982performer: "First Love", "Pumpin And Blowin", "Hold On"
Only When I Laugh1981performer: "Heart", "I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plan" uncredited
The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia1981performer: "I Need You Strong for Me", "Baby Bye Bye", "Life Is Like a Mountain Railway", "Hangin' Up the Gun"

Producer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Mother of the Bride1993TV Movie co-executive producer

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Entertainment Tonight2014TV SeriesHerself - The Love Boat
Planet View2013DocumentaryHerself - Host
Biography2007TV Series documentaryHerself
The Fifth Annual Genesis Awards1991TV Movie documentaryHerself
The 47th Annual Golden Globe Awards1990TV SpecialHerself - Presenter: Best Actress & Best Actor in a TV-Series - Comedy / Musical
Candid Camera: First 40 Years1987TV MovieHerself
Miss Universe Pageant1986TV Special documentaryHerself - Judge
The 43rd Annual Golden Globe Awards1986TV SpecialHerself - Presenter: Best Actress & Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV
The 55th Annual Academy Awards1983TV SpecialHerself - Co-Presenter: Best Live Action Short Film & Best Animated Short Film
The 54th Annual Academy Awards1982TV Special documentaryHerself - Presenter: Best Sound Mixing
I Love Liberty1982TV SpecialHerself
The 39th Annual Golden Globe Awards1982TV Special documentaryHerself
The 52nd Annual Academy Awards1980TV SpecialHerself - Co-Presenter: Best Costume Design
Today1980TV SeriesHerself - Guest
The Mike Douglas Show1977-1980TV SeriesHerself - Co-Host / Herself - Guest / Herself - Actress
The 6th People's Choice Awards1980TV SpecialHerself - Winner: Favourite Young Actor / Actress
Battle of the Network Stars VII1979TV SpecialHerself - ABC Team
The 31st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1979TV SpecialHerself - Winner: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
The 36th Annual Golden Globes Awards1979TV SpecialHerself - Nominee: Best Actress in a TV-Series- Drama & Presenter: Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a TV-Series
The 6th Annual American Music Awards1979TV SpecialHerself
The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait1978TV SpecialHerself
Danny Thomas: Young & Foolish1978TV MovieHerself
Live Wednesday1978TV SeriesHerself
The 30th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1978TV SpecialHerself - Nominated: Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Drama Series & Presenter: Outstanding Children's Special
Dinah!1978TV SeriesHerself - Guest
ABC's Silver Anniversary Celebration1978TV SpecialHerself
The Merv Griffin Show1977TV SeriesHerself - Guest
The Carpenters at Christmas1977TV SpecialHerself
Circus of the Stars #21977TV SpecialHerself - Performer
Disco Fever: 'Saturday Night Fever' Premiere Party1977TV MovieHerself
Celebrity Challenge of the Sexes 21977TV MovieHerself
Battle of the Network Stars III1977TV SpecialHerself - ABC Team
Donny and Marie1977TV SeriesHerself
The 29th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1977TV SpecialHerself - Winner: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
The Magic of ABC1977TV SpecialHerself - Guest
US Against the World1977TV MovieHerself
The Hollywood Squares1977TV SeriesHerself - Guest Appearance
Celebrity Challenge of the Sexes1977TV MovieHerself
Battle of the Network Stars II1977TV SpecialHerself - ABC Team
Sha Na Na1977TV SeriesHerself

Awards

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1989Razzie AwardRazzie AwardsWorst Supporting ActressTwo Moon Junction (1988)
1982Young Artist AwardYoung Artist AwardsBest Young Motion Picture ActressOnly When I Laugh (1981)
1980Bravo Otto GermanyBravo OttoBest Actress (Schauspielerin)
1980People's Choice AwardPeople's Choice Awards, USAFavorite Young Motion Picture Actress
1979Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesFamily (1976)
1977Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesFamily (1976)

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1983Razzie AwardRazzie AwardsWorst ActressThe Pirate Movie (1982)
1982Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest Actress in a Supporting Role - Motion PictureOnly When I Laugh (1981)
1981Young Artist AwardYoung Artist AwardsBest Young Actress - TV SpecialMy Old Man (1979)
1981Young Artist AwardYoung Artist AwardsBest Young Actress in a Major Motion PictureLittle Darlings (1980)
1980Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actress in a Drama SeriesFamily (1976)
1980Young Artist AwardYoung Artist AwardsBest Juvenile Actress in a TV Series or SpecialFamily (1976)
1979Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest Actress in a Television Series - DramaFamily (1976)
1978Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesFamily (1976)

2nd Place Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1981Bravo Otto GermanyBravo OttoBest Actress (Schauspielerin)
1979Bravo Otto GermanyBravo OttoBest Female TV Star (TV-Star w)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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