Just days after there were reports that Warner Bros wants to reboot The Facts of Life, we get some very sad news. Charlotte Rae passed away today at the age of 92 after a year-long battle with bone cancer according to Entertainment Weekly. She revealed the diagnosis in April 2017.
Kids in the ’70s and ’80s grew up with her as Mrs. Garrett on Diff’rent Strokes and then its spinoff The Facts of Life. Kids wanted to have a caring older woman like her in their life because she was loving and pretty hip because she covered for her kids when they got in trouble.
Before she landed the role that made her a household name in 1978, she had already been acting for over 25 years on the stage, on the big screen and the little one too. In fact, she never really stopped. Her last scripted TV appearance was on Girl Meets World in 2014. A year after that she was seen on the big screen in the not-so-kid-friendly Ricki and the Flash.
Even in her later years, she still had her spunk and her humor. It was always fun to see her do interviews because she was seemed a little naughtier than her television sweet persona.
Even though her girls left Eastland, she still kept in touch with them. They remembered their friend on social media. Mindy Cohn wrote, “it’s with a heavy heart & lots of tears (but a smile as i think of her) that I now move through the world without this incredible force of a woman being in it. she was my champion, a teacher, a proud example of the tenacity and perseverance needed to live as a creative, along with your talent and gifts. i love you char. as I send sympathies to larry and the rest of the family, I wish you the happiest of homecomings. #ripcharlotterae 💔 #ohwhatalife #mwah #tilwemeetagain #thankyou.” While Kim Fields said, “You all already know my heart is heavy yet…. sorry, no words at the moment just love and tears… and yeah, smiles…. #charlotterae #ripcharlotterae.” Julie Piekarski added, “I am so sad for the loss of Charlotte. What a blessing to have known her, worked with her, and been mentored by her. My sympathy goes out to the family. #restinpeace #rip #saddness #loss #angel.”
The last surving original cast member from Diff’rent Strokes, Todd Bridges tweeted, “Different Strokes would not have been the same without you #CharlotteRae. You were loved by everyone on our show and you were loved by everyone on the facts of life will miss you ‘My heart is full of Pain’ Rest in peace my friend.”
Rae is the second actor to pass away from The Facts of Life in a month. Roger Perry, who played Charles Parker, passed away on July 12th.
Today as they remember their friend, let’s remember her too by watching one of her many enjoyable roles. I will be rewatching Hair tonight and think even in her 90’s, she still has life like that song.
Robert Mandan passed away at the age of 86 after a long illness according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Mandan was a staple on ’70s and ’80s television playing the lead and guest starring on many sitcoms. He is best known for playing the cheating husband, Chester Tate, on Soap. A few years after that he played the disapproving father, who did like that his daughter was dating Jack Tripper, on Three’s Company and its spinoff Three’s A Crowd. In between those two shows, he played the uptight principal in Zapped.
He also was seen on shows like Sanford and Son, All in the Family, Maude, Barney Miller, One Day at a Time, Too Close for Comfort, The Facts of Life, The Love Boat, Mama’s Family, My Two Dads, The Golden Girls, Married…with Children as well as on Soap Operas Santa Barbara, General Hospital and The Edge of Night.
Even though he always seemed to play the straight guy in the comedies, he always made me laugh. Today, remember him with a few chuckles by watching some of greatest roles. I am going to start with Best Little Whorehouse in Texas!
Margot Kidder passed away in Montana yesterday at the age of 69 according to TMZ.
2018 celebrates her 50th year in acting, but there is one role she will forever be known as and that is Lois Clark in the ’70s version of Superman along with the late Christopher Reeve. Even though that is her biggest role, she starred in that decade’s biggest horror movies. The Amityville Horror and Black Christmas.
She never stopped acting and starred in several TV movies, guest star appearances on TV shows, voice-over work and several feature films. Even in 1996, when the bipolar sufferer suffered from a manic attack that caused her to live on the streets for several days. She was placed in a mental hospital and got the care and medicine she needed to live as normal a life as possible.
Let us not remember her for that, but remember her as an actress who so many girls looked up to. We wanted to become a newspaper reporter so we could be just like Lois Lane. Today, watch one of her many movies and TV show and let her we will forever love the woman that got to fly with Superman.
Verne Troyer passed away today at the age of 49 according to TMZ. The actor has recently been battling his demons and it was reported that he was suicidal. Now, he is in better, more peaceful place.
His family wrote this message on Instagram, “It is with great sadness and incredibly heavy hearts to write that Verne passed away today.
“Verne was an extremely caring individual. He wanted to make everyone smile, be happy, and laugh. Anybody in need, he would help to any extent possible. Verne hoped he made a positive change with the platform he had and worked towards spreading that message everyday.
“He inspired people around the world with his drive, determination, and attitude. On film & television sets, commercial shoots, at comic-con’s & personal appearances, to his own YouTube videos, he was there to
show everyone what he was capable of doing. Even though his stature was small and his parents often wondered if he’d be able to reach up
and open doors on his own in his life, he went on to open more doors for himself and others than anyone could have imagined. He also touched more peoples hearts than he will ever know.
“Verne was also a fighter when it came to his own battles. Over the years he’s struggled and won, struggled and won, struggled and fought some more, but unfortunately this time was too much.
“During this recent time of adversity he was baptized while surrounded by his family. The family appreciates that they have this time to grieve privately.
“Depression and Suicide are very serious issues. You never know what kind of battle someone is going through inside. Be kind to one another. And always know, it’s never too late to reach out to someone for help.
“In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in Verne’s name to either of his two favorite charities; The Starkey Hearing Foundation and Best Buddies.”
The actor was best known for playing Mini-me in the Austin Powers movies. He might have been small in stature, but he was a huge personality. When he joined The Surreal Life, we really got to see that.
He might not have known we were there for him, but let him know we were by watching one of his many roles.
Harry Anderson was found dead this morning in his Ashville, NC house today at the much too young age of 65 according to Citizen-Times.
Anderson is known for playing the lovable and wacky Judge Harry Stone on Night Court from 1984-1992. A role that made the comedian/magician a household name and loved by many. When that show ended, he was back on TV the following season on a show called Dave’s World based on Miami Herald report Dave Barry. That sitcom ended in 1997.
In between those two comedies, he continued to appear on Cheers and starred in the 1990 TV miniseries It based on Stephen King’s book.
After Dave’s World ended, he did a few more TV appearances before moving to New Orleans. When Katrina wreaked havoc on that city, he moved to Ashville, NC. According to the Citizen-Times, he was still doing about 2 dozen comedy shows every year including two this past weekend.
Anderson was on my favorite actors when I was growing up because his geeky boyish charm just made him seem so cute and available.
Today, as he is reunited with his old friend Mel Torme, let’s all say “$50 and time served,” as we watch him make us laugh on Night Court. The much-loved show airs on LAFF several times throughout the day.
