Nancy McKeon | Nancy McKeon, Lisa Welchel, Kim Fields, Mindy Cohn, and Mackenzie Astin | Source: Getty Images
- Teen idol Nancy McKeon turns 57!
- The 'The Facts of Life' star gave up her career, choosing family and the opportunity to raise her two daughters privately.
- Four years after her brother's death, the actress showed a rare photo without makeup, not hiding her wrinkles.
Nancy McKeon, born on April 4, 1966, in New York, started her career in entertainment at an exceptionally young age. At merely two years old, she modeled baby clothes for Sears & Roebuck. Her family later moved to Los Angeles after her brother landed a role in the show "Alice."
Life in bustling LA allowed the blooming actress to explore the craft, and by the age of 13, McKeon landed a role in the 1979 TV show, "Stone." This, combined with numerous guest appearances on the hit show "Starsky and Hutch" helped her catch the eyes of the producers of "The Facts of Life."
Nancy McKeon, circa 1980 | Source: Getty Images
Nancy McKeon and Michael J. Fox, 1983 | Source: Getty Images
McKeon's character, Joanna Marie "Jo" Polniaczek, was added to the show in season two and became an irreplaceable part of the project. Following her success in TV, she appeared in several films, including "High School U.S.A.," "Poison Ivy," and "The Puppy's Great Adventure."
She didn't want to be a distant mother because she chose her career over her family, so she receded from the limelight for a while.
The actress also appeared on the Disney channel show, "Sonny with a Chance" and the 27th season of "Dancing with the Stars," alongside the pro-dancer Val Chmerkovskiy. Before the season started, McKeon shared that her two daughters, Aurora Andrus and Harlow Andrus, couldn't wait to see their mom compete.
Nancy McKeon, Kim Fields, George Clooney, Mindy Cohn, Mackenzie Astin, Lisa Whelchel, and Charlotte Rae in "The Facts of Life," 1985 | Source: Getty Images
Nancy McKeon in "The Facts of Life," 1985 | Source: Getty Images
McKeon, a devoted and loving mother, shares her two children with her husband of 20 years, Marc Andrus. The actress has opened up about being a mom and a wife, revealing it is the role she adores most. She gushed about her kids, saying, "They are two of the bravest little young women I would say that I know."
Nancy McKeon Shares First Photo with No Makeup: She Reveals Private Life
McKeon's family life and career are inseparably intertwined. If it weren't for her career, she would never have met her current husband.
McKeon and Andrus' paths crossed in 1995 on the set of the Hallmark movie, "A Mother's Gift." The two became close, married in 2003, and had their first baby shortly after.
McKeon wasn't the only famous face in her family. The actress's brother, Philip McKeon, also acted since he was little.
After the birth of her oldest daughter, McKeon decided to take some time off. The actress had already spent a large part of her pregnancy still working and missed much of her daughter's first months. She didn't want to be a distant mother because she chose her career over her family, so she receded from the limelight for a while.
In 2021, the cast of "The Facts of Life" got together for one last performance — this time in front of a live studio audience. The show featured the entire original crew, including Lisa Whelchel, Mindy Cohn, and Kim Fields, but many noticed McKeon wasn't part of the reenactment.
The show turned out to be a hit among long-time fans of the original TV show, but McKeon was sorely missed, not just by fans but also by her co-workers. Welchel, who wished McKeon was with them explained her co-star's absence:
"Nancy was home and they just recently moved and her kids just got into school, so it was difficult for her to make the trip out."
McKeon spends most of her time with her family these days. On Father's Day, she dedicated an Instagram post to her husband. The 57-year-old also showed herself without makeup, wrinkles and all, in an adorable post dedicated to the family's rescue pup, Jet. In response, fans wished her a happy belated birthday and wished Jet the best.
Nancy McKeon's Brother Suddenly Died Less than Two Months after Their Dad
McKeon wasn't the only famous face in her family. The actress's brother, Philip McKeon, also acted since he was little. The actor became famous for starring in numerous film and TV projects, working alongside industry greats such as Linda Lavin and Charlie Sheen, and many had only good things to say about him.
Sadly, Philip passed away in 2019 after battling an undisclosed illness for a number of years. McKeon opened up about the loss of her beloved brother via a spokesperson, saying Philip's death left the whole family reeling:
"We are all beyond heartbroken and devastated over Phil's passing. His wonderful sense of humor, kindness and loyalty will be remembered by all who crossed his path in life."
A source close to McKeon also spoke out about the actress's emotional state after losing her brother, admitting she was absolutely "devastated."
The siblings were exceptionally close, and the actor had been a vital source of support for his sister after their father, Donald McKeon, passed away a few months earlier.
A few weeks before Philip's passing, on November 11, McKeon wrote a heartfelt tribute to her brother, thanking him for his unwavering support and love through one of the most challenging times of her life. In it, she wished him a happy birthday and sent him much love. The actress penned:
"A huge happy birthday to my big brother!!" It's been a tough time lately… but as we've always said…we'll get through it together…love you Dude….and as always… our humble thanks to all our veterans."
Nancy McKeon on September 12, 2018 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Nancy McKeon on September 15, 2014 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
In 2020, McKeon once again paid homage to her brother by posting a photo of him hugging a dog on Instagram. She wrote in the caption, "happy birthday my Dude... oh how I wish I could call and sing you our silly birthday song we made each other nutty with every year...:) I miss you every... single.. day💔."
Despite the tragic loss of her brother, McKeon has a strong system of support that has helped her get through all the challenges she has faced over the years. Like Welchel, McKeon's family is the backbone of her life. She admitted, "[My daughters] are everything to me, and without them and my amazing husband, then nothing really does have much meaning."
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