Do you guys remember the show named Family? It aired back in 1976 and ended in 1980.
Chances are, most of the younger generation have yet to learn about this show.
But if you ask your parents, they will tell you how impactful the series was for them.
This series featured some of the most talented cast in the industry, one of which was a child actor named Kristy McNichol.
The talented actress even won two Emmy awards for her role as Buddy in the series.
However, that wasn’t the only thing that gave her much-deserved appreciation.
The veteran legend was nominated for Golden Globe awards for her role in the movie Only When I Laugh.
However, she suddenly disappeared from the industry after lending her voice to the famous TV series Invasion America.
Key Takeaways
- Kristy McNichol started having problems with her mental health in 1982.
- Many fans speculated that she had a substance abuse problem, but the reality was she was suffering from BPD.
- After being away from the spotlight for almost 11 years, she came to the spotlight to support the LGBT community.
Kristy McNichol Gave Up Her Acting Career For The Sake Of Mental Peace
One of the main reasons for her disappearance was her ongoing battle with mental illness.
All of Kristy’s struggles started in 1982. Back then, she was filming a movie named White Dog.
This movie was one of the biggest disasters in her career.
As per many assumptions, this became the leading cause of her mental breakdown.
After that movie, she was scheduled to film a movie named Just The Way You Are.
While filming the movie, she struggled a lot.
While talking about those days, she said,
I hardly slept … I was crying all the time … It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done to try and get through that film,
Kristy McNichol
Due to her indiscipline, many fans even went on to say that she has had a substance abuse problem.
But that wasn’t true at all; as the studio releasing the movie said, she was dealing with a chemical imbalance.
Later, it was revealed that she had Bipolar disorder.
After that, in 2001, she announced her retirement from acting.
During the press release, she said,
A lot of people have wondered what I’ve been up to. I retired from my career after 24 years. My feeling was that it was time to play my biggest part — myself! I must say that it has been the best thing that ever happened to me. So many fans are disappointed that I’m not currently acting; however, some may not realize that the process I’m in at this time is necessary and vital for my personal happiness and well-being.
Kristy McNichol
After that release, she was away from the spotlight for almost 11 years.
Kristy McNichol Came To Spotlight To Support A Noble Cause
In 2012, Kristy McNichol made the headlines again. But this time for a far better cause.
Most of you guys know that back in 2012, many of the kids were being bullied just based on their sexual preferences.
This incident made Kristy sad, and with a press release, she shared that she also belongs to the LGBT community.
She also revealed that she has been in a relationship with Martie Allen for the past 2 decades.
Such a noble reason to reveal her personal life to the fans, right?
Now, you guys might wonder where she is now.
Since stepping away from the industry, Kristy has found a new passion in music and a meaningful role with the LAVC foundation, a platform that campaigns and supports upcoming artists through fundraising.
Besides that, now that she is retired, she finally has time to explore her hobbies, such as traveling and playing tennis.
Some Lesser Known Facts
- Kristy McNichol grew up poor. Her mother worked odd jobs to support the family, and her father was a carpenter.
- She has a mixed ancestry. On her mother’s side, she is Lebanese, and on her father’s side, she is Scottish/Irish.
