Nancy McKeon — Biography
Nancy McKeon is an American actress recognized primarily for her role as Jo Polniaczek, the tomboyish character, on THE FACTS OF LIFE, joining the series in its second season in the fall of 1980. This casting followed the departure of four other main cast members, including Molly Ringwald. McKeon's character often served as a grounding force, injecting realism into the show, particularly in contrast to Blair Warner's considerable self-importance. McKeon also portrayed Jinny Exstead on the series THE DIVISION.
Her career in entertainment began exceptionally early, modeling diapers at the age of two. Born in Westbury, New York, McKeon grew up in Forest Hills, a Queens neighborhood. She is the sister of Philip McKeon, who was offered the pivotal role of Tommy on ALICE, which prompted the family's relocation to Los Angeles. This move opened doors for Nancy to begin her own television work, with appearances on shows like STARSKY AND HUTCH and FANTASY ISLAND. As a child star, McKeon was in demand enough to receive her education via on-set tutors. While she appeared in daytime soaps such as THE SECRET STORM and ANOTHER WORLD, her first leading role came after a casting director noticed her in a Hallmark commercial.
Since establishing herself in the industry, McKeon has maintained a busy career. NBC executives considered her for a television adaptation of the 1988 film WORKING GIRL, a part that ultimately went to Sandra Bullock. She was also a contender for the role of Monica on FRIENDS, which was ultimately cast with Courteney Cox. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, she starred in numerous made-for-television movies and lent her voice to ABC weekend specials, including the character of Scruffy, an English Springer Spaniel. In 1995, she took the lead in the series CAN'T HURRY LOVE, though it only ran for one season. In 1998, she co-starred with Jean Smart in STYLE AND SUBSTANCE. As previously mentioned, she starred in THE DIVISION from 2001 to 2004.
McKeon married key grip Marc Andrus in 2003, and they have two children together. The family relocated to a ranch outside Austin, Texas. From 2009 to 2010, she played Connie Munroe on SONNY WITH A CHANCE.
Interestingly, while her brother Philip McKeon secured the family's initial entry into show business with his role on ALICE, Nancy's own early modeling work included baby clothes for the Sears Roebuck Catalog. At one point, she and her brother appeared together in several advertisements. She owns a film company named Forest Hills Entertainment, named after her childhood neighborhood. McKeon also participated in the 27th season of DANCING WITH THE
Her career in entertainment began exceptionally early, modeling diapers at the age of two. Born in Westbury, New York, McKeon grew up in Forest Hills, a Queens neighborhood. She is the sister of Philip McKeon, who was offered the pivotal role of Tommy on ALICE, which prompted the family's relocation to Los Angeles. This move opened doors for Nancy to begin her own television work, with appearances on shows like STARSKY AND HUTCH and FANTASY ISLAND. As a child star, McKeon was in demand enough to receive her education via on-set tutors. While she appeared in daytime soaps such as THE SECRET STORM and ANOTHER WORLD, her first leading role came after a casting director noticed her in a Hallmark commercial.
Since establishing herself in the industry, McKeon has maintained a busy career. NBC executives considered her for a television adaptation of the 1988 film WORKING GIRL, a part that ultimately went to Sandra Bullock. She was also a contender for the role of Monica on FRIENDS, which was ultimately cast with Courteney Cox. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, she starred in numerous made-for-television movies and lent her voice to ABC weekend specials, including the character of Scruffy, an English Springer Spaniel. In 1995, she took the lead in the series CAN'T HURRY LOVE, though it only ran for one season. In 1998, she co-starred with Jean Smart in STYLE AND SUBSTANCE. As previously mentioned, she starred in THE DIVISION from 2001 to 2004.
McKeon married key grip Marc Andrus in 2003, and they have two children together. The family relocated to a ranch outside Austin, Texas. From 2009 to 2010, she played Connie Munroe on SONNY WITH A CHANCE.
Interestingly, while her brother Philip McKeon secured the family's initial entry into show business with his role on ALICE, Nancy's own early modeling work included baby clothes for the Sears Roebuck Catalog. At one point, she and her brother appeared together in several advertisements. She owns a film company named Forest Hills Entertainment, named after her childhood neighborhood. McKeon also participated in the 27th season of DANCING WITH THE
