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'Empty Nest' star Kristy McNichol resurfaces in Hallmark Channel marathon
It's easy to forget about "Empty Nest." The "Golden Girls" spin-off hasn't exactly thrived in syndication like so many of its contemporaries.
But The Hallmark Channel resuscitates the '80s/'90s comedy -- about a doctor whose two grown daughters move home -- with a Feb. 26 marathon.
Starring Richard Mulligan (R.I.P.), Dinah Manoff and Kristy McNichol, the show is perhaps best known for McNichol's sudden departure during the 1992.
So what happened to her? At the time, McNichol was becoming notorious for bad attendance and erratic behavior on the set of the show and several movies and she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and retired from acting altogether.
She returned for the series' finale in 1995, and it marked her last ever screen appearance -- though she did some voice work in the late '90s.
2001 was the last time she issued a public statement, offering some insight on what happened to her: "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."
She now lives in Los Angeles, where she reportedly teaches and works with charities. Let's honor her with this blurry YouTube of the series' opening credits, which reminds of Dreyfuss -- who really should have made it to our list of favorite TV dogs.
But The Hallmark Channel resuscitates the '80s/'90s comedy -- about a doctor whose two grown daughters move home -- with a Feb. 26 marathon.
Starring Richard Mulligan (R.I.P.), Dinah Manoff and Kristy McNichol, the show is perhaps best known for McNichol's sudden departure during the 1992.
So what happened to her? At the time, McNichol was becoming notorious for bad attendance and erratic behavior on the set of the show and several movies and she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and retired from acting altogether.
She returned for the series' finale in 1995, and it marked her last ever screen appearance -- though she did some voice work in the late '90s.
2001 was the last time she issued a public statement, offering some insight on what happened to her: "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."
She now lives in Los Angeles, where she reportedly teaches and works with charities. Let's honor her with this blurry YouTube of the series' opening credits, which reminds of Dreyfuss -- who really should have made it to our list of favorite TV dogs.
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Photo/Video credit: Touchstone Television
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you're a hack, o'connell - grown *** man going by mikey
Who cares about Barbara? What happened to Laverne? She was the best!
I still say this is the cereal guy from way back when but wishing they start releasing this show on DVD. It was one of a few good shows NBC ever had.
I, too, have always liked Kristy McNichol, and I've wondered for years what her story is. Wikipedia can only tell us so much -- I'd like to hear her story from her own perspective. Hopefully that will happen someday.
I've always loved Kristy McNichol. I've seen The Pirate Movie (a Pirates of Penzance spoof) any number of times. I wish I'd seen this article earlier.
I am watching the marathon right now! I just adored Kristy McNichol! I loved her in Family also!
I saw a True E! Hollywood Story on Kristy last year and it was revealed that she was diagnosed with severe depression and bipolar disorder in her early 20's.
Kristy took a break from acting in the 80's to get well. She returned to acting with the Empty Nest TV show in the early 90's. The daily grind of the show became too stressful and caused her mental illnesses to resurface. As a result, Kristy decided to retire from acting.
Sad. Kristy is a great actress.
..."the show is perhaps best known for McNichol's sudden departure during the 1992."
The 1992 was indeed memorable. I recall many things that happened in the 1992.
Kristy McNichol is such a talented actress. Remember her first in the TV series Family. Health comes first, and her talent can be used in other ways.
Kristy,
a great actress she was "tough" and tom boyish in "Little Darlings" movie with Matt Dillion,
but, always a wonderful actress in everything she acted in
I am watching Empyt Nest on hallmark channel right now..
maybe someday she will appear again when we least expect it would be nice to see her again..
whatever happened to her brother Jimmy???