'Family's' Kristy McNichol Took A Step Back From Acting After "Living The Life Of A 30-Year-Old" As A Kid

Mar 16, 2022 by apost team

Kristy McNichol is a retired actress best known for her roles in the film "Little Darlings" and in television series such as "Empty Nest" and "Family." Portraying Letitia "Buddy" Lawrence in the latter was one of the most notable roles in McNichol's career. Not only was the show a massive hit, but McNichol had also begun earning recognition in the acting industry. Along with her talent as an actress, McNichol had also proven herself to be a great musician and always had an abundance of charisma and personality to make her shine even more.

McNichol was born on Sept. 11, 1962, in Los Angeles. At a young age, she already discovered a passion for acting and worked hard at trying to make it big in Hollywood. Although the rising star did not always have it easy as her parents sometimes struggled to make ends meet, both she and her brother continued to pursue a career in acting. When she was only six years old, McNichol began landing jobs to appear in commercials before moving forward to star on the small screen.

The rising star quickly found success in the industry and had even won awards for her accomplishments as an actress, but McNichol had begun having some personal issues with her mental health. She had taken a backseat during some of her jobs before finally stepping away from the spotlight altogether. Despite having such a pivotal role in the entertainment industry at a young age, McNichol later removed herself from the world of acting and retired in the late 1990s. She later made her decision public in 2001.

Keep reading to learn more about McNichol and to see what she is doing today. 

After finding some success in commercials and TV roles, McNichol landed one of her biggest roles to date, when she was cast as Buddy in the TV drama series "Family." The show aired from 1976 until 1980 on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) television network. 

With a total of 86 episodes, creative control over the show was shared between executive producers Leonard Goldberg, Aaron Spelling, and Mike Nichols. It was a massive hit with fans and critics alike for showcasing the hardships that many families go through. For its time, the show portrayed a contemporary, middle-class family with believable and realistic characters. 

The main stars of the series were Sada Thompson and James Broderick, who played the married couple of Kate and Doug Lawrence living in Pasadena, California. The characters also lived with their three children: Nancy (played by Elayne Heilveil in the original miniseries, then Meredith Baxter Birney for the rest of the show's run), Willie (Gary Frank), and Letitia, nicknamed "Buddy" (Kristy McNichol). In one of the show's earlier episodes, it's disclosed the Lawrences had another son, Timothy, who had passed away five years ago due to an accident.

Critics said the show was a rare quality offering, and it was generally well-received by audiences. Although the show elevated the status of all the actors involved, McNichol was particularly affected by the fame she earned from the show. McNichol was even nominated for the Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Dramatic Series three years in a row and took home the win in 1977 and 1979.

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Biography reported that McNichol retired from acting in the late 1990s, with her ongoing battle with bipolar disorder being one of the reasons. According to Yahoo!, Kristy was not the only one in her family who struggled with bipolar disorder; her brother, Jimmy, did as well.

In 1989, McNichol opened up to People about the breakdown she had during her career. She said that the pressures of child stardom created a delayed reaction for her later in life. She told writer Scot Haller: "From the time I was very young, I was a professional, making money and assuming responsibilities. I didn't live the life of a child. I was living the life of a 30-year-old."

In 2012, McNichol revealed that she is a lesbian and has lived with her partner Martie Allen since the 1990s. The former actress decided to do this because she was "approaching 50" and wanted to "be open about who I am."

Another reason was that she wanted to set a good example for young people that are bullied for their sexualities. Her publicist Jeff Ballard told People that "she is very sad about kids being bullied. She hopes that coming out can help kids who need support. She would like to help others who feel different."

McNichol also shared that after retiring from acting, she spends her time focusing on sports like tennis and yoga, as well as traveling and taking care of her precious dachshunds. "She is very happy and healthy," Ballard said. "And she enjoys living a very private life."

Do you remember McNichol? Did you know she retired from acting? Let us know and feel free to send this on to your friends and loved ones.