Cast and Crew of The Facts of Life

The Facts of Life

"The Facts of Life" is a cherished American sitcom that graced the NBC television network for nearly a decade, from August 24, 1979, to May 7, 1988. This remarkable run made it the longest-running sitcom of the 1980s, a testament to its enduring appeal and the connection it formed with its audience. The show was a spin-off of another popular sitcom, "Diff'rent Strokes," and it carved out its own unique niche with its distinctive premise and delightful characters.

The heart of "The Facts of Life" revolves around the character of Edna Garrett, brilliantly portrayed by Charlotte Rae. Edna begins her journey as a housemother at the esteemed Eastland School, a prestigious all-female boarding school nestled in the scenic surroundings of Peekskill, New York. As the series unfolds, viewers are treated to the trials, tribulations, and triumphs that Edna and her students experience in this unique educational environment. The show deftly explores the complexities of growing up, the importance of friendship, and the value of strong mentorship.

One of Edna's charges at Eastland School is Blair Warner, a character brought to life by the talented Lisa Whelchel. Blair is a privileged and sometimes haughty student, but she also possesses an endearing vulnerability that makes her a compelling character. Her interactions with Edna and the other students provide much of the show's humor and its heart. As the series progresses, Blair, along with the other girls, grows and evolves, providing a rich tapestry of experiences that continue to resonate with audiences today. "The Facts of Life" is more than just a sitcom; it's a gentle exploration of life's lessons, imparted with wit, warmth, and wisdom.

Main Cast of The Facts of Life

Charlotte Rae as Edna Garrett

Charlotte Rae

as Edna Garrett (153 episodes)
Charlotte Rae's portrayal of Edna Garrett in "The Facts of Life" was truly memorable and endearing. She brought warmth, wit, and wisdom to the role, making her a beloved mentor and mother figure to the girls at Eastland School. Her ability to balance authority with compassion made her character relatable and inspiring. Rae's performance was a highlight of the show, as she effortlessly tackled both comedic and dramatic scenes, creating a character that viewers of all ages could admire and appreciate.
Lisa Whelchel as Blair Warner

Lisa Whelchel

as Blair Warner (201 episodes)
Lisa Whelchel's portrayal of Blair Warner in "The Facts of Life" was truly delightful and memorable. Whelchel brought to life a character that was initially presented as a stereotypical spoiled rich girl, but she infused Blair with intelligence, wit, and heart. Her comedic timing was impeccable, and she effortlessly delivered some of the show's most iconic lines. Over the course of the series, Whelchel's nuanced performance allowed the audience to see Blair's growth and vulnerability, making her one of the most beloved characters on the show.
Kim Fields as Tootie Ramsey

Kim Fields

as Tootie Ramsey (201 episodes)
Kim Fields delivers a delightful and memorable performance as the feisty and spirited Tootie Ramsey in the classic television series "The Facts of Life". With her endearing charm, Fields brings life to the character with her impressive comedic timing and charismatic presence. She expertly portrays Tootie's journey as a young girl navigating the challenges of adolescence, showcasing her ability to effectively balance humor with genuine emotion. Audiences of all ages can't help but fall in love with Tootie, thanks to Fields's captivating and heartfelt portrayal that remains one of the most beloved aspects of the show.
Mindy Cohn as Natalie Green

Mindy Cohn

as Natalie Green (201 episodes)
Mindy Cohn's portrayal of Natalie Green on "The Facts of Life" was an absolute delight, offering viewers a natural and authentic character that was easy to connect with. Her comedic timing was impeccable, often stealing scenes with her sharp wit and infectious laughter. Moreover, Cohn's performance was heartwarming and genuine, effortlessly conveying Natalie's kindness and vulnerability. Her ability to balance humor and tenderness made her a standout character on the show, cementing her status as a beloved fan favorite and a key player in the series' enduring success.
Nancy McKeon as Joanne Jo Polniaczek

Nancy McKeon

as Joanne Jo Polniaczek (188 episodes)
Nancy McKeon's portrayal of Joanne Jo Polniaczek in "The Facts of Life" was a standout performance that brought a refreshing dynamic to the show. McKeon's character, Jo, was a tough-talking, street-smart tomboy from the Bronx who added a layer of depth to the all-girls boarding school setting. Her character's evolution, from a rebellious outsider to a mature and responsible young woman, was masterfully depicted by McKeon, who gave Jo a blend of toughness and vulnerability. Her performance was a significant factor in the show's enduring appeal and continues to be celebrated by fans for its authenticity and heart.

Secondary Cast of The Facts of Life

Cloris Leachman as Beverly Ann Stickle

Cloris Leachman

as Beverly Ann Stickle (48 episodes)
Cloris Leachman delivered a remarkable performance as Beverly Ann Stickle in the beloved TV series 'The Facts of Life'. When she joined the cast in 1986, she brought a fresh perspective and warmth to her character, who was a down-to-earth and nurturing mother figure to the girls at Eastland School. Leachman's portrayal of Beverly Ann was both lovable and authoritative, making the character an essential addition to the series. Her on-screen rapport and comedic timing with the rest of the cast, especially Charlotte Rae’s Edna Garrett, only further amplified the show's charm and humor. Leachman's well-deserved Emmy nomination for her performance in 'The Facts of Life' serves as a testament to her exceptional talent and contribution to the series.
Mackenzie Astin as Andy Moffett

Mackenzie Astin

as Andy Moffett (72 episodes)

Mackenzie Alexander Astin (born May 12, 1973) is an American actor.

Jenny O'Hara as Miss Emily Mahoney

Jenny O'Hara

as Miss Emily Mahoney (13 episodes)

Patricia Joanne "Jenny" O'Hara (born February 24, 1942) is an American film, television, and stage actress. She is be...

George Clooney as George Burnett

George Clooney

as George Burnett (24 episodes)

George Timothy Clooney (born May 6, 1961) is an American actor and filmmaker. He is the recipient of numerous accolad...

Molly Ringwald as Molly Parker

Molly Ringwald

as Molly Parker (14 episodes)

Molly Kathleen Ringwald (born February 18, 1968) is an American actress, singer, dancer, and author. She was cast in ...

Pamela Adlon as Kelly Affinado

Pamela Adlon

as Kelly Affinado (26 episodes)

Pamela Adlon (née Segall; born July 9, 1966) is an American actress, voice actress, screenwriter, producer, director,...

Helen Hunt

Helen Hunt

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Holly Gagnier

Holly Gagnier

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Richard Dean Anderson

Richard Dean Anderson

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Norman Alden

Norman Alden

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Gary Coleman

Gary Coleman

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Bern Bennett

Lauren Tom

Lauren Tom

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Marcus Chong

Marcus Chong

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Lilyan Chauvin

Lilyan Chauvin

Lilyan Chauvin was born on August 6, 1925 and passed away 16 years ago at the age of 82 on June 26, 2008.

Deborah Harmon

Deborah Harmon

Deborah Harmon was born on May 8, 1951 and is currently 73 years old.

Brian Robbins

Brian Robbins

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.   Brian Robbins (born November 22, 1963) is an American actor and producer, d...

Larry Wilmore

Larry Wilmore

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Ellen Wheeler

Robert Rusler

Robert Rusler

Robert Rusler (born September 20, 1965) is an American film and television actor. Rusler was born in Fort Wayne, Ind...

Gary Hudson

Gary Hudson

Gary Hudson was born on March 26, 1956 and is currently 68 years old.

Jimmy Baron

as Greg (1 episode)
Megan Follows

Megan Follows

Megan Follows is a Canadian American stage, film and television actress, best known for playing Anne Shirley in the 1...

Alex Rocco as Charlie Polniaczek

Alex Rocco

as Charlie Polniaczek (11 episodes)

​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.   Alex Rocco (born February 29, 1936) is an American actor. His roles have r...

Robert Romanus as Snake

Robert Romanus

as Snake (2 episodes)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Robert Romanus (born July 17, 1956), also billed as Bob Romanus, is an Americ...

Jami Gertz as Boots St. Clair

Jami Gertz

as Boots St. Clair (4 episodes)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Jami Beth Gertz (born October 28, 1965) is an American actress. Gertz is known...

Casey Siemaszko

Casey Siemaszko

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Maurice LaMarche

Maurice LaMarche

Maurice LaMarche (born March 30, 1958) is a Canadian voice actor and former stand up comedian. He is best known for h...

Dean Cameron

Dean Cameron

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Dean Cameron (born Dean Eikleberry on December 25, 1962, in Morrison, Illinoi...

Tony Pope

Tony Pope

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Tom Eplin

Rosie Malek-Yonan

Paul Feig

Paul Feig

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Grant Heslov

Grant Heslov

Grant Heslov (born May 15, 1963) is an American actor and filmmaker known for his producing and writing collaboration...

Kim Morgan Greene

Kim Morgan Greene

Kim Morgan Greene was born on January 1, 1960 and is currently 65 years old.

Loren Lester as Roy

Loren Lester

as Roy (8 episodes)

Loren Lester, a native of Los Angeles, began his career as a teenager and has accumulated more than 30 years of film,...

Jim McCawley

Georgia Schmidt

Susan Blackstone

Larry Poindexter

Larry Poindexter

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Steve Susskind

Steven Robert Susskind (October 3, 1942 – January 21, 2005) was an American actor who appeared in numerous small part...

Stuart Fratkin

Stuart Fratkin

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Evelyn Guerrero

Suzanne Krull

Suzanne Krull

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Alan Autry

Alan Autry

Alan Autry was born on July 31, 1952 and is currently 72 years old.

Clyde Kusatsu

Clyde Kusatsu

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Doug Savant

Doug Savant

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Mako

Mako

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Gary Dubin

Kevin Rodney Sullivan

Kevin Rodney Sullivan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Kevin Rodney Sullivan (born August 3, 1958) is an American film and televisio...

Ralph Manza

Ralph Manza

Ralph Manza was an American screen and television character actor.

Joel Brooks

Joel Brooks

Joel Brooks is an actor.

John Mengatti

Taliesin Jaffe

Taliesin Jaffe

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Kenneth Tigar

Kenneth Tigar

Kenneth Tigar (born September 24, 1942) is an American actor, primarily on American television, and translator.

Jon Caliri

Peter Nelson as William Ogden Smith IV

Peter Nelson

as William Ogden Smith IV (1 episode)

Peter Nelson is an actor and producer born on 10 September 1959 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Thomas F. Wilson

Thomas F. Wilson

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Reid Scott

Reid Scott

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Beverly Leech

Armin Shimerman

Armin Shimerman

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Stefanie Ridel

Matt Shakman

Matt Shakman

Matt Shakman (born August 8, 1975) is an American director and actor.

Elizabeth Keifer

Gary Lee Davis

Gary Lee Davis

Gary Lee Davis (born 2 January 1946) is an American actor.

Dick Van Patten

Dick Van Patten

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John Terlesky

John Terlesky

John Terlesky is an actor and director.

Charlie Dell

Charles Ardell Smith, known professionally as Charlie Dell, is an American actor, voice actor, and comedian. He is kn...

Dennis Haysbert

Dennis Haysbert

Dennis Dexter Haysbert (born June 2, 1954) is an American film and television actor. He is known for portraying baseb...

Nicky Katt

Nicky Katt

Nicholas Lea "Nicky" Katt  (born May 11, 1970 in North Dakota) is an American actor known for his role as unorthodox ...

Penelope Ann Miller

Penelope Ann Miller

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Robert Phalen

Scott Bryce as Rick Bonner

Scott Bryce

as Rick Bonner (4 episodes)

Scott Bryce is an American writer, producer, stage, film and television actor.

Susan Walters

Susan Walters

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Jean Smart

Jean Smart

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Edith Fields

Fritzi Burr

Fritzi Burr

Fritzi Burr was born on May 31, 1924 and passed away 22 years ago at the age of 78 on January 17, 2003.

Donnelly Rhodes

Donnelly Rhodes

Donnelly Rhodes was born on December 4, 1937 and passed away 7 years ago at the age of 80 on January 8, 2018.

Todd Susman as Assistant Warden Yeager

Todd Susman

as Assistant Warden Yeager (1 episode)

Todd Susman is an American stage and screen actor, appearing in many guest roles in film and television.

Mike Pniewski

Mike Pniewski

Michael "Mike" Pniewski is an American actor and public speaker.

Peter DeLuise

Peter DeLuise

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Peter John DeLuise (born November 6, 1966) is an American actor, director, pr...

Danny Dayton

Danny Dayton

Danny Dayton was born on November 20, 1923 and passed away 25 years ago at the age of 75 on February 6, 1999.

Peter Marc Jacobson

Takayo Fischer

Takayo Fischer

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Jermaine Jackson

Jermaine Jackson

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Fred Holliday

Juliette Lewis

Juliette Lewis

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Michael Milhoan as Convict #2

Michael Milhoan

as Convict #2 (2 episodes)

Michael was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. He spent most of his youth studying jazz music and attended N...

John Kassir

John Kassir

John Kassir was born on October 24, 1957 and is currently 67 years old.

Twyla Littleton

Tamara Taylor

Tamara Taylor

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Tamara Taylor (born September 27, 1970, height 5' 6½" (1,69 m)) is a Canadian...

Sal Landi

Sal Landi

Sal Landi was born on April 11, 1951 in New York, USA as Salvatore M. Garriola. He is an actor and producer, known fo...

Mayim Bialik as Jennifer Cole

Mayim Bialik

as Jennifer Cole (2 episodes)

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Crispin Glover

Crispin Glover

Crispin Hellion Glover (born April 20, 1964) is an American film actor, director and screenwriter, recording artist, ...

Meredith Scott Lynn

Meredith Scott Lynn

Meredith Scott Lynn was born on March 8, 1970 and is currently 54 years old.

Seth Green

Seth Green

Seth Benjamin Gesshel-Green (born February 8, 1974) is an American actor, comedian, voice actor, and television produ...

Patrick Thomas O'Brien

Patrick Thomas O'Brien

Patrick Thomas O'Brien was born on January 26, 1951 and is currently 73 years old.

Elmarie Wendel as Jackie

Elmarie Wendel

as Jackie (1 episode)

Elmarie Wendel was born on November 23, 1928 in Cresco, Iowa, USA as Elmarie Louise Wendel. She was an actress, known...

JoAnn Willette as Didi

JoAnn Willette

as Didi (1 episode)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia JoAnn Willette (born October 12, 1963) is an American actress. Willette is be...

Lisa Freeman as Sally

Lisa Freeman

as Sally (1 episode)

Lisa Freeman was born on July 28, 1957 and is currently 67 years old.

Elizabeth Hunter

Jim West

as Boyfriend (1 episode)

Dinah Lacey

as Jenny (1 episode)

Crew of The Facts of Life

Discover the backstage crew of The Facts of Life →