Kristy Mcnichol

About Kristy Mcnichol

Kristy McNichol, born Christina Ann McNichol on September 11, 1962, found significant recognition as an American actress, though she is now retired. Many recall her as Barbara Weston in the television series EMPTY NEST, a role that emerged from the popular show THE GOLDEN GIRLS. Before her work on EMPTY NEST, McNichol was a prominent teen star in the 1970s, with notable film appearances during her younger years.

Her television career began with a role as Letitia "Buddy" Lawrence on FAMILY, a position she held from 1976 to 1980. McNichol's film debut was slated for 1977's BLACK SUN, but her scenes were ultimately removed. A more successful cinematic outing came in 1978 with THE END, where she acted alongside Burt Reynolds and Sally Field. Her 1980 performance in LITTLE DARLINGS, co-starring Tatum O'Neal and Cynthia Nixon, is often considered her breakthrough film role. Other films in which she appeared include WOMEN OF VALOR, TWO MOON JUNCTION, YOU CAN'T HURRY LOVE, and ONLY WHEN I LAUGH. In contrast, her role in 1982's THE PIRATE MOVIE earned her a Golden Raspberry Award. That same year, 1982 proved challenging as she experienced a breakdown in France while filming JUST THE WAY YOU ARE. This incident caused a year-long production halt and was attributed to the strain of teen stardom and personal struggles.

In 1992, McNichol was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, leading her to step back from public life. She made a brief return for the final episode of EMPTY NEST in 1995, which marked her last on-screen appearance. By 2001, McNichol had announced her retirement from acting. While she left the acting profession, she continued to mentor aspiring actors and engaged in considerable charitable work. In 2012, she publicly identified as a lesbian, ending speculation and confirming a long-standing relationship with Mattie Allen. McNichol stated her intention in sharing this was to support individuals facing bullying due to their sexuality.

McNichol received multiple nominations for Best Supporting Actress in a Dramatic Series from 1977 to 1979, securing wins in the initial and final years of that period.

A piece of trivia regarding McNichol is her brother, Jimmy, who appeared with her in early advertisements. Jimmy later achieved fame with a starring role in the television show ALICE. The family relocated to the Los Angeles area, a move that likely aided Kristy McNichol's burgeoning career. She was featured in a 1977 Christmas special, The Carpenter's at Christmas. Kristy and Jimmy later released a joint album for RCA