In the late 1970s what boy could resist Kristy McNichol? Not me that's for sure; with her tomboyish persona, beautiful brown eyes and infectious smile she was impossible to resist. Like a lot of boys my age I wasn't really sure I wanted a girl at all but if I did it would have to be a girl like Kristy. She got her start on television in the series Love, American Style and quickly found other tv work on shows like Starsky and Hutch, The Bionic Woman and The Love Boat. In 1976 she also began as a regular on Family, her role as Letitia 'Buddy' Lawrence in this critically acclaimed drama won her 2 Emmy Awards® and propelled her career into superstar status. Going into the 1980s, amid personal problems she continued making movies like Little Darlings, The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia Only When I Laugh and Just the Way You Are. In 1988 she returned to television series work in the hit comedy Empty Nest but left the show after a few seasons and only worked sporadically after that. Her last "appearance" was as a voice actress in the animated series Invasion America (1998). Since then Kristy has removed herself from the spotlight completely, making a conscious effort to lead a normal life and to get away from the Hollywood entertainment machine that consumed her childhood. In that effort I hope she finds some success, she deserves to be happy. Other works of interest: The End, Summer of My German Soldier, The Pirate Movie, White Dog, Women of Valor, Dream Lover and The Pinballs.

11-15-2005