After Beating Cancer And Enjoying Farm Life, ‘Facts Of Life’ Actress Mindy Cohn Is Ready For A Family

Jan 04, 2023 by apost team

Have you ever wondered where some of your favorite sitcom stars ended up after the show came to a close? For many of these actors and actresses, they were lucky enough to continue on their path to stardom and find more fame before settling down to start a beautiful family. However, some people had a more difficult path.

Mindy Cohn is an actress who first rose to fame in the role of Natalie Green on the sitcom “The Facts of Life.” The show aired from 1979 to 1988, making it one of the longest-running sitcoms during the 1980s. It was loved by fans and featured a plethora of great actors and actresses, including Molly Ringwald, George Clooney, Charlotte Rae, Julie Anne Haddock, and many more. The show delved into more difficult topics, making it an incredibly earnest and popular series.

While Cohn was an instrumental character in the sitcom, she also showcased her talents in other works. The actress went on to voice the character of Velma Dinkley in the “Scooby-Doo” franchise from 2002 to 2015.

Outside of Cohn’s professional career, she went through ups and downs in her personal life. She has never been married and doesn’t have any children. The actress also was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 before fortunately declaring that she was cancer-free five years later.

Now, Cohn has taken a step away from Los Angeles and enjoys the simplicity of living on a farm. However, the 56-year-old still wants more from her life, including a family of her own.

Cohn was born on May 20, 1966, in Los Angeles, California. She was originally discovered by Rae while she and the producers from “The Facts of Life” visited Cohn’s school for research purposes. Cohn was cast in the role of Natalie Green and portrayed the character for nine years.

“It seemed that Charlotte Rae had fallen madly in love with me, in part because I reminded her of her best childhood friend Natalie – and I was irrepressible, charming and hilarious,” Cohn said.

Along with this, Cohn appeared in several other popular TV shows and films, including “Charles in Charge,” “The Boy Who Could Fly” and “21 Jump Street.” She also voiced the character of Velma in the “Scooby-Doo” franchise for several years.

Writing for the HuffPost in 2013, Cohn talked about her successful career and what her life has been like since her sitcom days. “If the Guinness Book of World Records had a category for the celebrity who's turned down the most reality shows, you'd find my picture there,” she said. Cohn added:

“Gratefully, I have been able to support myself (in a style to which I have become accustomed) by acting. While nothing I have done has reached the popularity of ‘The Facts of Life,’ I have continued to work with some of the most talented people.”

The actress also shared that she was single, never married and had no children. She elaborated:

“Sure I want a husband, kids – a family of my own. I always have. But as my childhood friends were getting married and I wasn't, I glamorized this situation a la Katherine Hepburn, as ‘I was married to my career.’ Now, as I look at all my gorgeous, successful, famous friends who have all those things ... I feel pretty good!”

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During the time she wrote this piece for HuffPost, Cohn was going through a difficult period regarding her health. “I was walking around my neighborhood in Los Angeles and I suddenly got so tired,” she recalled to PEOPLE. “I just couldn’t go anymore. This was before Uber was really a thing, so I texted my friend Helen Hunt and said, ‘Something’s wrong with me. I need help.’”

The actress was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, but kept it a “secret for a long time.” Cohn underwent a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. She announced she was cancer-free in 2017.

Cohn shared the news with PEOPLE while giving the magazine a tour of a farmhouse, seated on a 60-acre property with 113 goats, a chicken coop, a vegetable garden and a pond. “I knew it was important to come here,” the actress said. “I could get away from everything going on in L.A. and just focus on getting better. This was my spot. And I think I was able to heal here, because it was away from everything.”

The property is owned by Cohn’s friends, Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Dr. Brent Ridge. She referred to them as her “family by choice” and her “family forever.”

Cohn has overcome a lot and appears to be enjoying a more simple life while still having an optimistic outlook on her future. She said:

“I’m feeling great. And I’m so ready to get back to working. I think I’m a good actress, and I have a lot to offer. I’m excited to see what I get to do next!”

What do you think about Mindy Cohn’s life and career? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to your family and friends as well!