“You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have the facts of life.”If you just sang along, then there’s a good chance that, like me, you grew up watching the beloved sitcom,The Facts of Life.The coming-of-age spinoff from the sitcomDiff’rent Strokes,the series featured Charlotte Rae as Edna Garrett, who moves to upstate New York to be a supervisor at the dorms of Eastland Academy boarding school. She mentors four girls: Natalie Green, Blair Warner, Jo Polniaczek, and Dorothy “Tootie” Ramsey, as they traverse the challenges of growing up.
Airing for nine seasons, the Emmy-nominated series was a staple of television in the 1980s. While there were once rumors of a revival for the series,actor Mindy Cohn claimed that one of the cast members sabotagedany chance of that happening. While some of the actors have continued their careers in movies and TV, others have moved on to other ventures. Still others have sadly died, yet they will always be remembered for their talented performances onThe Facts of Lifeand many other beloved projects.
Host of the TV seriesCollector’s Call
Starring in the Netflix series,The Upshaws
Acted in the Off-Broadway play,Pen Pals
Died on July 24, 2025
Died on July 12, 2025
Died on June 15, 2025
Lisa Whelchel As Blair Warner
She Now Hosts A Reality TV Show
Character:Though she can be a bit vain at times,Blair Warner was also known to be kind, loving, and a faithful friend. Born to wealthy parents, Blair’s sophisticated manner often clashed with her roommate, Jo Polniaczek, who was her personality opposite. Actor Lisa Whelchel was 16 when she played Blair in the first season ofThe Facts of Life,and was 25 when the series ended in 1988.
Falling for Christmas(2016)
Dale
Where Are They Now:Whelchel has been extremely busy in the years sinceThe Facts of Lifewent off the air, both as a singer and an author. Most recently, she’s beenhosting the MeTV reality series,Collector’s Call,where she travels the globe in search of rare pop culture collectibles.
Kim Fields As “Tootie” Ramsey
Fields Co-stars In The Upshaws On Netflix
Character:With her outgoing personality and penchant for gossip, the adorable Dorothy “Tootie” Ramsey was an essential part ofThe Facts of Life’scastof characters. Often seen wearing roller skates and braces in her youth, Tootie eventually matured into a bright young woman. Kim Fields began the role of Tootie when she was 10 years old, and was 19 in the final season.
The Upshaws(2021-present)
Regina Upshaw
Where Are They Now:Since appearing on reality shows likeThe Real Housewives of AtlantaandDancing with the Stars,Kim Fields can currently be seen on the Netflix sitcom,The Upshaws,playing Regina Upshaw.
Mindy Cohn As Natalie Green
She Recently Acted In A Hallmark TV Movie Series
Character:Natalie Green wasknown for her quirky personality and pride in her Jewish heritage. Over time, she found that she had a passion for writing and pursued her dreams by moving to New York City. Mindy Cohn, who played Natalie, was 13 at the start of the series, and 22 when it ended.
Palm Royale(2024-present)
Ann Holiday
Where Are They Now:Following her stint onThe Facts of Life,Mindy Cohn continued to act. She has done a lot of voiceover work, most notably performing the voice of Velma in severalScooby-Doovideos. Most recently, she played Angie Hartman in the Hallmark Channel’sHearts Around the TableTV movies, with all three released in 2025.
Nancy McKeon As Jo Polniaczek
McKeon Traded TV For Theater
Character: Asthe designated “tomboy” of the group, Jo was almost always more interested in sports and motorcyclesthan makeup and boys. Beyond her tough exterior, Jo’s love for her friends revealed a heart of gold. Arriving in the second season ofThe Facts of Life, Nancy McKeon was 14 when she first played Jo, and was 22 in the last season.
Panic(2021)
Jessica Mason
Where Are They Now: Though she hasn’t had a movie or TV credit since 2021, Nancy McKeon continues to act on the stage. Shemost recently appeared in the Off-Broadway play,Pen Pals,in February 2025.
Charlotte Rae As Edna Garrett
Rae Died Of Bone Cancer In 2018
Character:The loving matriarch ofThe Facts of Life,Edna Garrett went from being the Drummonds' housekeeper onDiff’rent Strokesto beingthe denmother at Eastland Academy Boarding School. On top of running her shop, she kept the girls in line and helped them through some of their toughest times.
You Don’t Mess with the Zohan(2008)
Mrs. Greenhouse
Where Are They Now:Following several health issues later in her life, Charlotte Rae was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2017. She died on July 25, 2025, at the age of 92 (viaDeadline).
Cloris Leachman As Beverly Ann Stickle
Leachman Died From A Stroke In 2021
Character:Played by legendary comedic performer Cloris Leachman,Beverly Ann Stickle was Edna’s sister. In the show’s ninth season, Beverly took over as the girls' mother figure when Charlotte Rae left the series. Vibrant and quirky, Beverly was a valued friend who provided a much-needed vacancy as the girls grew older.
The Croods(2013)
Gran
Where Are They Now:With almost 300 acting credits to her name, Cloris Leachman continued to be a prolific actress right up until her death. She died of a stroke on June 06, 2025, with COVID-19 being a contributing factor. Leachman was 94 years old (viaPeople).
John Lawlor As Steven Bradley
Lawlor Died in February 2025
Character:Played by John Lawlor,Steven Bradley was the headmaster of Eastland Academy School for Girlsin season 1 ofThe Facts of Life.Although he sometimes had trouble relating to the students at the all-girls school, Steven cared deeply about them and helped when he could.
Gold(2016)
Mining Expert
Where They Are Now: As reported byThe Hollywood Reporter,John Lawlor died at the age of 83 on June 24, 2025, in a veteran’s hospice surrounded by family. His last role was in 2017 as Elmer Knowland in the Netflix Western series,Godless.
The Facts Of Life Supporting Characters
Some Of The Supporting Cast Are Still Acting
Mackenzie Astin as Andy Moffat:Andy came into the seventh season ofThe Facts of Life,eventually becomingBeverly’s foster son. Mackenzie Astin was 12 when he played Andy, and still continues to have a successful acting career, most recently appearing in the acclaimed HBO Max medical drama,The Pitt.
Felice Schachter as Nancy Olson:A fellow Eastland student,Nancy was both a friend and rival of Blair’s, and she was often seen talking on the phone with her illusive boyfriend. Schachter retired from acting in 2001, and is now a teacher for special needs students in New York.
Julie Piekarski as Sue Ann Weaver:Smart and competitive,Sue Ann was the top academic student at Eastland, and was friends with Nancy, Natalie, Tootie, and Cindy. Piekarski took a break from acting afterThe Facts of Lifeended, but has since returned to appear in a number of independent films.
Julie Ann Haddock as Cindy Webster: The most athletic of her friend group at school,Cindy was involved in nearly every sport, including baseball, hockey, and track. Although she retired from acting afterThe Facts of Life,Haddock still enjoys talking about her time on the series in interviews and when she attends conventions.
George Clooney as George Burnett:Before he was one of Hollywood’s biggest movie stars, George Clooney played George Burnett onThe Facts of Life.George was a carpenter who helped rebuild Edna Garrett’s shopwhen it burned down, and became close friends with her and the girls. Clooney recently reunited with hisOceans’ 11co-star Brad Pitt in the Apple TV+ original movie,Wolfs.
Sherrié Austin as Pippa McKenna:Appearing in the final season,Pippa McKenna was an Australian exchange student and wealthy heiresswho joined the students at Eastland Academy. Formerly Sherrié Kren, Sherrié Austin began her country music career as a teenager, and continues to record music in Nashville, Tennessee.
Molly Ringwald as Molly Parker:A big presence throughout the first season ofThe Facts of Life,Molly Parker was a fast-talker with a love for photography,and was close friends with Sue Ann, Nancy, Natalie, Cindy, and Tootie. Best known for starring in ‘80s movies likePretty in PinkandThe Breakfast Club,Molly Ringwald has continued to act steadily over the years, and has a few upcoming projects.
Alex Rocco as Charlie Polniaczek:Star of the big and small screen in the 1970s and ‘80s,Alex Rocco played Jo’s father, Charlie, in 11 episodes ofThe Facts of Life.Rocco continued to act in TV and film long after the series ended. He died on June 19, 2025, from cancer at age 79 (viaTHR).
