Imdb kristy mcnichol biography

She has nearly 40 acting credits to her name, and when she announced her retirement, her admirers were disappointed. So, keep on reading. Image source. Born Christina Ann McNichol under the zodiac sign of Virgo on 11 September , and is today aged 60 as of June , Kristy is a native of Los Angeles, California USA, holds American nationality, and comes from a family of Lebanese, Scottish, English, and Irish descent, raised in her hometown by her parents James, a carpenter, and Carolyn who worked odd jobs, including a movie extra.

They have a younger brother, Timmy, who was born in The two often performed across the US and Europe until Kristy has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder after having a manic breakdown while they were touring across France. Soon after, she stepped away from her music career, preferring to focus on acting. She was nominated for the Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Dramatic Series three years in a row —79 , winning in and In , she appeared in the TV special The Carpenters at Christmas , performing several musical numbers with the duo.

McNichol was one of the bigger teen stars of that era. McNichol began her film career in in Black Sunday , but her scenes were cut. In , she played one of the leading roles in the hit coming-of-age movie Little Darlings , which also starred Tatum O'Neal , with Matt Dillon and Cynthia Nixon in supporting roles. Her performance was acclaimed by many reviewers, including those who disliked the film.

Imdb kristy mcnichol biography

She later told People magazine that she could not sleep and she cried the entire time she was in France. She had nightmares when she did sleep and she cried on set. She did not return to the production after Christmas to finish the movie; filming had to be interrupted for a year while McNichol recovered. She later said that the breakdown had been caused by the pressures of her childhood career, [ 12 ] as well as the pressure to hide her sexuality from the public.

She left the show in after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder but returned for its final episode in It was her last on-screen performance. In June , McNichol announced that she had retired from acting. Her publicist released this statement:. 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. McNichol's former lover and lifelong friend Elizabeth Brooks died of cancer on September 7, , a few days before McNichol's 35th birthday.

After her retirement, McNichol taught acting at a private school in Los Angeles and devoted much of her time to charity work. She made the statement in the hopes that her openness would help young people who are bullied because of their sexual orientation. McNichol also made it clear in the same statement that she has no plans to return to acting.

She began her career at an early age, appearing in commercials and later snagging her breakout role in the television drama "Family. McNichol's popularity burgeoned during this time, leading her to transition into film where she starred in various movies like "Little Darlings" and "Only When I Laugh," further establishing her as a prominent figure in Hollywood.

Despite her success, McNichol faced significant challenges, including a struggle with bipolar disorder, which affected her career trajectory. After a series of ups and downs in her personal and professional life, she decided to step back from acting in the late s. Following years of privacy, she courageously came out as a lesbian in , aiming to inspire others facing similar struggles and advocating against bullying.

Today, McNichol lives a quieter life in Los Angeles, enjoying yoga, tennis, and the company of her beloved miniature dachshunds, reflecting her journey of self-acceptance and resilience. Following her parents' divorce when she was just three years old, Kristy and her two brothers, Jimmy and Tommy, were predominantly raised by their mother, Carollyne, who also served as their manager.

From the age of six, Kristy took her first steps into acting by appearing in various commercials, showcasing her early talent and ambition. Her childhood was marked by a supportive family structure that nurtured her burgeoning career in show business. At only 11 years old, McNichol made her television debut in the short-lived drama "Apple's Way.

Her thoughtful portrayal of a teenager grappling with various social and personal challenges garnered her four Emmy Award nominations and culminated in two prestigious wins, paving the way for her future accomplishments in both television and film. At the age of six, she appeared in her first commercial, paving the way for her eventual rise to fame in television and film.

Raised by her mother alongside her brothers, Jimmy and Tommy, Kristy discovered a passion for acting, which she pursued with fervor, ultimately catching the eye of television producers. Both she and her brother, Jimmy, were trying to make it as performers, with their mother Carollyne serving as their manager. In , McNichol made her television debut in the short-lived drama Apple's Way.

She played Patricia Apple, a young city girl who moves to her father's small hometown in Iowa along with her parents and three other siblings. Much of the drama centered on the clash between the family's urban ways and their new rural community. Unfortunately, the series failed to find much of an audience. McNichol fared much better with her next television series, Family.

As teenager Letitia "Buddy" Lawrence, she was the youngest member of the Lawrence family. Sada Thompson and James Broderick played her parents on the series. Meredith Baxter-Birney appeared as her older sister, Nancy, who left her husband while she was pregnant, and Gary Frank was cast as her older brother, Willie, who was in his late teens.

Quinn Cummings later joined the family as Annie Cooper, their adopted daughter. During its four-year run, the characters of Family faced many different kinds of hardships, from cancer to alcoholism. McNichol's Buddy character often had to grapple with many teen-related issues, such as dating and sexuality. In addition to her work on the series, McNichol started a film career.

She also starred in Blinded by the Light , with her brother Jimmy. Besides acting, McNichol enjoyed some popularity as a singer. She and her brother, Jimmy, recorded an album of disco songs in , and had a minor hit with the single "He's So Fine. Around the same time Family ended in , McNichol took her film career to another level, co-starring with fellow child actress Tatum O'Neal in Little Darlings.

The plot revolved around a bet between their two characters about who could lose their virginity first while at summer camp. Their love interests were played by Matt Dillon and Armand Assante. While the film received mixed reviews, McNichol won praise for her portrayal of Angel, a tomboy from the wrong side of tracks. The following year, McNichol had two major film roles.