This veteran actress never planned on a Hollywood career, but a chance role on a hit TV show changed her life forever. Now in her late fifties, she’s overcome incredible challenges and is thriving. Here’s a glimpse into her inspiring journey.
Famed for her role as Natalie Green on “The Facts of Life” (1979–1988), she was discovered as a teenager. Reflecting on her early years, she once wrote, “If you had asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I probably would’ve said a doctor.”
Her acting career began unexpectedly when, at 13, she was called out of class to meet TV producers working on a sitcom set in an all-girls school. Charlotte Rae, the show’s lead, found her “irresistible, charming, and hilarious” and suggested creating a role just for her.
Decades later, her world turned upside down in 2012 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After enduring a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation, she chose to leave Hollywood for a quieter life in the countryside, finding solace with close friends. Now cancer-free, she’s embracing life with renewed strength and optimism.
