‘The Facts Of Life’ Cast Then & Now: See Kim Fields & More After Over 40 Years

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December 7, 2021 8:30AM EST

‘Live In Front Of A Studio Audience’ is taking on ‘The Facts of Life’ with Jennifer Aniston, Gabrielle Union, and more. See the original cast of the beloved sitcom then and now.

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‘The Facts Of Life’ Cast Then & Now

‘The Facts Of Life’ Cast Then & Now
©Embassy Pictures/Courtesy Evererett

Classic TV! ‘The Facts of Life’ was a hit from the moment that premiered in 1979, until it wrapped in 1988. The series was actually a spinoff of the series ‘Diff’rent Strokes.’ The show followed Edna Garrett as she became a housemother at an all-girls boarding school in New York. The core cast included Charlotte Rae, Lisa Whelchel, Nancy McKeon, Kim Fields, and Mindy Cohn. After ‘The Facts of Life’ ended in 1988, the cast reunited for the 2001 TV movie ‘The Facts of Life Reunion.’

The famous sitcom is being honored during the latest edition of ‘Live in Front of a Studio Audience’ on December 7. Jennifer Aniston will play Blair Warner, Gabrielle Union will play Tootie, Kathryn Hahn will play Jo, Allison Tolman will play Natalie, and Ann Dowd will play Mrs. Garrett. The cast will come together for live reenactments of the classic series. Take a look at the original cast of ‘The Facts of Life’ then and now.

December 3, 2021, 4:22PM
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Kim Fields

Kim Fields
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Kim Fields rose to fame playing Tootie Ramsey on ‘The Facts of Life.’ She took some time away from acting to go to college but returned to star in the sitcom ‘Living Single.’ She has starred in a number of movies and TV shows over the years. Kim currently stars in the Netflix series ‘The Upshaws.’ 

December 3, 2021, 4:22PM
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Mindy Cohn

Mindy Cohn
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Mindy Cohn played Natalie Green on ‘The Facts of Life’ during the show’s run from 1979 to 1988. After ‘The Facts of Life,’ Mindy went on to voice the role of Velma in the ‘Scooby-Doo’ franchise from 2002 to 2015. Her most recent role was in the 2020 film ‘A Nice Girl Like You.’

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Nancy McKeon

Nancy McKeon
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Nancy McKeon played Jo Polniaczek on ‘The Facts of Life.’ She starred on the show from 1980 to 1988. Nancy appeared in a number of TV films after ‘The Facts of Life’ ended. She notably starred in the TV series ‘The Division.’ The actress recently appeared in the Prime Video series ‘Panic.’

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Lisa Whelchel

Lisa Whelchel
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Lisa Whelchel starred as Blair Warner on ‘The Facts of Life.’ Like many of her co-stars, Lisa reprised the role of Blair for the 2001 TV movie ‘The Facts of Life Reunion.’ In 2012, Lisa became a cast member on ‘Survivor: Philippines.’ She ended up being the show’s runner-up. Lisa has appeared in several TV films over the years. 

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Charlotte Rae

Charlotte Rae
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Charlotte Rae played Edna Garrett on ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ and ‘The Facts of Life.’ She reprised the role of Mrs. Garrett in the 2001 TV movie ‘The Facts of Life Reunion.’ She notably appeared in the 2015 film ‘Ricki and the Flash.’ Charlotte died in 2018 at the age of 92. 

December 3, 2021, 4:22PM
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George Clooney

George Clooney
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George Clooney played George Burnett in season 7 of ‘The Facts of Life.’ Before becoming one of the biggest movie stars in the world, George also starred in the TV series ‘ER.’ He has since won two Oscars. George’s most recent directorial project is the 2021 movie ‘The Tender Bar.’

December 3, 2021, 4:22PM
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Cloris Leachman

Cloris Leachman
Everett/Shutterstock

Cloris Leachman played Edna’s sister, Beverly Ann Stickle, on ‘The Facts of Life’ starting in 1986. The show ended two years later. Cloris had already established a successful career before ‘The Facts of Life.’ She continued to act after the show ended, including the series ‘Malcolm in the Middle.’ Cloris passed away in 2021 at the age of 94. Her final film role was in the 2021 movie ‘Not To Forget.’

December 3, 2021, 4:23PM