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.
Since it seems like every sitcom from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s is being rebooted these days, why wouldn’t someone want to do the same for The Facts of Life? According to Deadline, Sony is working on one.
You will never believe who is producing it? Leonardo DiCaprio and Jessica Biel. That is as big of a story as the show itself. I mean shouldn’t he be working on Growing Pains and shouldn’t she be pitching Seventh Heaven? How did they get involved with this show?
Let’s get back to the sitcom, you cannot bring it back without Charlotte Rae, Lisa Whelchel, Nancy McKeon, Mindy Cohn and Kim Fields. Without them, it is just a show about kids going to an all-girls private school.
Why call a show a reboot when maybe all it will have in common with the original is that the school will be called Eastland? I am so over fake reboots that are more their own show than the one it is based on.
Seems like Mindy Cohn was not only starring on the show The Facts of Life, she was getting the facts of life from her co-star George Clooney. Today, she posted the above photo and said, “…whenever i’m asked how I became such a great kisser… and dare i say my taste in men has only gotten better. #georgeclooney #justthefacts #tbt”
Now we know that not only is George Clooney easy on the eyes, he is also great on the lips. And if you think about it, this was very early in his career, which means he only got better.
When it comes to Cohn, now we know what they mean in the theme song when they sing, “You take the good.” Plus, she too was at the beginning of her kissing career, so think of all the lucky people who have kissed her since she has smooched Clooney!
TV has given several shows from the ’90s reboots and revivals and now there could be one from the ’70s which might be coming back to our televisions. Todd Bridges Tweeted, “We maybe doing a new one [Diff’rent Stokes] i will be Willis Drummond I will be adopting two kids of a different color giving them the same opportunity that we where we were giving and showing the world no matter what color you are love conquers all.” I think that is something we need to be watching. The original normalized so much, I would love to see what a new version of it could do.
They obviously did something right the first time because it still airs in syndication on several channels after almost 40 years. Only a handful of shows can say that.
Diff’rent Strokes would also have to be a reboot because sadly Bridges and Charlotte Rae are the only surviving members from the original season. Who knows maybe if they ask nicely, they can get Janet Jackson to reprise her role as his girlfriend. What else is the youngest Jackson doing?
Back in the ’70s and ’80s, Lisa Whlechel played the posh socialite Blair Warner on The Facts of Life. A character that was such a rich bitch, she would never let anyone know she was not the natural blonde that she claimed to be.
That was 40 years ago, today the actress does not care if you know her natural hair color. Not only that, she is not afraid to show you with a huge head of tin foil, playing a game of chess with her daughter. Proving not everyone plays a character like themselves, yet they are masterful at making us believe that they do.
When it comes to the photo of the Survivor, she is gorgeous no matter what. Tin foil wrap, frizzy hair and all. Don’t you agree?
