Before & After: An In-Depth Look At The Former Cast Of The Facts Of Life
The Facts of Life was a classic sitcom originally airing in the late 70s and following the lives of Mrs. Garrett and her charges at Eastland School. Today, many still fondly remember the beloved characters of Mrs. Garrett, played by Charlotte Rae, and Blair Warner, played by Lisa Whelchel.
Take a blast to the past and see what some of the cast is up to these days.
Kim Fields (Then)
Kim Fields played the character Tootie on The Facts of Life. Fields portrayed a teenager in the show but was only nine when the first season aired.
Fields was able to relate to the real-life struggles of her character, who dealt with growing up, family, and friendship issues. She continued to portray Tootie until the show's end in 1988.
Kim Fields (After)
After playing the role of Tootie on the beloved show The Facts of Life, Kim Fields continued her successful acting career. She notably starred in the hit sitcom Living Single, where she played Regine Hunter.
Once the series ended, she ventured into movies and appeared in A Question of Faith, showcasing her versatile talent beyond the small screen.
Charlotte Rae (Then)
Charlotte Rae's character, Mrs. Edna Garrett, was an endearing surrogate mother figure to the young girls in the sitcom The Facts of Life. As the housemother at a private all-girls academy, Mrs. Garrett provided guidance, advice, and a shoulder to cry on for her young charges.
Regardless of her frailties, she attempted to consistently and lovingly bestow a positive influence on the teens in her care, modeling values like acceptance, resilience, and inner strength.
Charlotte Rae (After)
After The Facts of Life ended, Charlotte Rae's career remained active. She lent her voice to animated characters in projects like 101 Dalmatians: The Series, voicing Nanny, and also starred as Aunt Pristine Figg in Tom and Jerry: The Movie.
She continued to appear in various TV shows and movies while staying active in philanthropic endeavors.
Nancy McKeon (Then)
Nancy McKeon portrayed the tough, tomboy character of Joanne "Jo" Polniaczek on the 80s sitcom The Facts of Life.
After season one, the show's producers made the challenging decision to make her character appear more feminine and less aggressive. The outcome resulted in Jo becoming a more nurturing figure to the other girls and introducing dating into her role.
Nancy McKeon (After)
Following her time on The Facts of Life, Nancy McKeon continued to make strides in the entertainment industry. She took on various TV roles, such as a recurring part on The Division and appearing on reality shows like Dancing with the Stars.
Adding to her impressive resume, she was actively involved in charity work, supporting causes like cancer research and animal welfare.
Lisa Welchel (Then)
Lisa Whelchel played Blair Warner on The Facts of Life. Blair was a snobby, rich, and fashionable girl with a heart of gold.
As a student at Eastland School, she evolved into a caring and loyal friend to her peers. Whelchel's portrayal of Blair contributed to the show's success in the '80s.
Lisa Welchel (After)
After The Facts of Life, Lisa Whelchel focused on her Christian faith, becoming an author and inspirational speaker. She authored several books and started a blog on motherhood and her Christian faith.
Whelchel ventured into direct selling with a line of home goods, finding success. Her balanced life exemplifies her post-TV journey.
Mindy Cohn (Then)
Actress Mindy Cohn portrayed Natalie Green on The Facts of Life. Natalie was witty, loyal, and compassionate, representing the voice of reason among her friends. She faced challenges such as body image issues and overcoming stereotypes.
Her character's relatable struggles taught young girls valuable lessons about self-acceptance, resilience, and the power of true friendship.
Mindy Cohn (After)
After The Facts of Life, Mindy Cohn continued acting with roles in TV shows, films, and voice acting. She gained recognition for voicing Velma in Scooby-Doo projects.
Cohn also became an activist, advocating for breast cancer awareness and LGBT rights. Her diverse career and commitment to important causes exemplify her impact beyond acting.
Cloris Leachman (Then)
Cloris Leachman portrayed Beverly Ann Stickle on The Facts of Life. She played the role of the quirky, kind-hearted, and at times over-the-top housemother at Eastland School.
Cloris joined the show in its seventh season and appeared until its ninth and final season, bringing her unique charm and humor to the beloved sitcom.
Cloris Leachman (After)
After The Facts of Life, Cloris Leachman continued to shine in Hollywood. She appeared in numerous films and TV shows, showcasing her versatility and earning critical acclaim.
Her notable works include roles in Malcolm in the Middle, Spanglish, and Raising Hope. Leachman's talent and dedication made her a beloved icon in the entertainment industry.
Julie Piekarski (Then)
Julie Piekarski portrayed Sue Ann Weaver on the sitcom The Facts of Life. Sue Ann was one of the original Eastland students, known for her bubbly personality and cheerleading skills.
She was a loyal friend to her fellow students and often brought a sense of fun and optimism to the group during their adventures at the Eastland School for Girls.
Julie Piekarski (After)
After Piekarski ended her role as Sue Ann Weaver on The Facts of Life, she experienced continued success after the sitcom. With recurring roles on shows like Three's Company, she showcased her versatility as an actress.
Beyond her career achievements, Piekarski maintains a private life, remaining dedicated to her craft and philanthropic endeavors. Piekarski married a dentist and had three children post-acting.
George Clooney (Then)
George Clooney portrayed George Burnett, a charming and laid-back handyman, on the sitcom The Facts of Life. His character added a dose of humor and charisma to the show.
As Mrs. Garrett's employee, George was known for his wit, flirtatious nature, and occasional mischief, making him a beloved presence in the series.
George Clooney (After)
George Clooney's career skyrocketed after gaining early recognition for his role in The Facts of Life.
He found fame as Dr. Doug Ross on ER, leading to big-screen success with films like Ocean's Eleven, Syriana, and Up in the Air. Clooney's charm, talent, and philanthropy cemented his status as a Hollywood icon.
Molly Ringwald (Then)
Molly Ringwald portrayed the character Molly Parker in the series The Facts of Life. She appeared in the first season as a student at Eastland School, displaying a warm, spirited, and relatable personality.
Ringwald's role in the show lasted for one season before she pursued other successful ventures in her acting career.
Molly Ringwald (After)
After her role in The Facts of Life, Molly Ringwald continued to achieve immense success in her acting career.
She became an icon of 1980s teen films, starring in John Hughes classics like Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Pretty in Pink. Her performances resonated with audiences, solidifying her as a prominent figure in Hollywood.
Felice Schachter (Then)
Felice Schachter portrayed Nancy Olson in The Facts of Life. Schachter played the part of Olson for the first season before producers transitioned her role into a recurring one. Nancy was a kind-hearted and bookish student at Eastland School.
Her role showcased intelligence and a gentle demeanor, endearing her to the girls and viewers. Felice's portrayal of Nancy left a lasting impression on the show's fans.
Felice Schachter (After)
After her stint on The Facts of Life, Felice Schachter pursued other ventures. She appeared in one motion picture, Zapped! She briefly left acting to get a degree at Brown University in 1981.
Later, she shifted her focus to writing and producing, contributing to documentaries and TV specials. Beyond the spotlight, she led a private life, away from the entertainment industry's hustle, savoring personal pursuits.
Julie Anne Haddock (Then)
Julie Anne Haddock portrayed Cindy Webster in the classic 80s sitcom. Cindy was an intelligent, sweet-natured, and somewhat naive student at Eastland School.
The presence of Haddock's character brought a youthful innocence to the show, and her friendship with the main characters added a touch of charm and sincerity to the series.
Julie Anne Haddock (After)
After completing production on the hit show, Julie Anne Haddock transitioned from acting to focus on a career behind the scenes.
She became a successful television producer and worked on various projects, showcasing her talents in different capacities. Her versatility and dedication in the industry continue to shine brightly in her new role.
Sherrie Austin (Then)
Sherrie Austin appeared in The Facts of Life as Pippa McKenna. Pippa was a charismatic and musically gifted student at Eastland School, and her character brought a refreshing dose of talent and liveliness to the show.
Sherrie's portrayal of Pippa showcased her own musical abilities and added a memorable touch to the series.
Sherrie Austin (After)
After leaving the show, Sherrie Austin pursued a successful career in country music. Known by her stage name, Sherrie Austin, she achieved fame with hits like Lucky in Love and Streets of Heaven.
Her powerful vocals and songwriting skills earned her recognition as a prominent artist in the country music industry. Austin has also changed her last name back to her maiden name of Krenn.
Geri Jewell (Then)
Geri Jewell plays the role of Geri Tyler, who first appears in the fourth season of The Facts of Life as a special needs student attending Eastland School.
She quickly becomes an integral part of the cast as her wit and determination to be seen as a capable, independent person is inspiring to the entire school.
Geri Jewell (After)
After her breakthrough role as Blair's cousin, Geri Jewell continued acting and made history as one of the first performers with cerebral palsy on a primetime TV series.
She faced challenges in Hollywood due to disability stereotypes but became an advocate, raising awareness and funds for disability causes. Jewell appeared on Deadwood and Glee, leaving a lasting impact on both the entertainment industry and disability representation.
Marj Dusay (Then)
Marj Dusay guest-starred as Blair Warner's sophisticated mother, Monica Warner, in The Facts of Life. Monica was an elegant and assertive woman with high expectations for her daughter.
Her refined demeanor and occasional clashes with Blair added depth to the show's portrayal of family dynamics, making her a memorable character in the series.
Marj Dusay (After)
After production wrapped up for The Facts of Life and her role as Monica Warner ended, Marj Dusay continued her successful acting career with numerous TV appearances, including roles in Santa Barbara, All My Children, and Guiding Light.
Her talent and versatility made her a beloved figure in the soap opera world, leaving a lasting legacy.
Pamela Segall (Then)
Actress Pamela Segall portrayed the character Kelly Affinado in The Facts of Life. Kelly was an energetic, bubbly, and lovable teenager known for her comedic charm and mischievous antics.
Her infectious laughter and genuine kindness endeared her character to the show's audience, making her a memorable addition to the series.
Pamela Segall (After)
Pamela Segall's name was changed to Pamela Adlon after her marriage. Once Adlon left The Facts of Life, she went on to work on popular shows like Louie, where she earned critical acclaim for her voice work and acting.
Adlon's talent and versatility led her to create and star in the hit comedy series Better Things.
