Kristy McNichol Comes Out
Kristy McNichol gave an interview to People Magazine telling the world she is gay and providing a photo of her partner for the last 20 years. Had Kristy not come out yet? Sometimes I get confused. The problem is that when you see someone a few times and you know they are gay and you get that in your head, then down the road and they give an interview about being gay, you have to stop and wonder whether they had done something publicly before. Kristy McNichol used to be the teen crush of lots of guys and she was also the poster child of the tabloids for a long time. Honestly, if there was an internet back when she was popular, she would have been a combination Lindsay Lohan/Mischa Barton. The thing is, she could also act. I remember watching her in Empty Nest. Barely. I think though it came on right before or after Golden Girls. It also had Joe Isuzu in it. It was a spin off of Golden Girls I think so they would drop by. I do remember watching it and thinking to myself, "I can't believe I am home on a Saturday night." I am too lazy to go to IMDb, but didn't she star in Little Foxes with Jodie Foster?
Kristy decided to come out to see if she could help people who are being bullied and I think that is great. I think if people coming out can help just one person it is worth it.
It's nice that she is happy & feels comfortable enough to share her private life in hopes of helping others.
ReplyDeleteAnd I totally remember watching Empty Nest after Golden Girls. I think Perfect Strangers came on around the same time, too.
Yeah. I thought this was known. She was in Little Darlings with Tatum O'Nuts.
ReplyDeleteI always liked her but I thought I read about this 5-6 years ago.
ReplyDeletegood for her, she is almost 50 a person should be able to live their lives openly and honestly.
ReplyDeleteShe quit acting a long time ago. I think she teaches it now in a private school.
I remember her on Empty Nest I think she left the show becuase she had a lot of mental health issues to deal with.
Glad she is doing well now.
About 20 years ago was about the time she started to get her life together, it seems. Perhaps her partner was the one who helped her turn things around.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete^^ "Tatum O'Nuts"
ReplyDeleteBahahah!
@Rita - I'm hoping for the same! It's very nice to see some change happening.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Wikipedia, Kristy was diagnosed as bipolar in 1992, and also suffered a near-death experience while surfing. That would apparently also be the year she met her partner.
ReplyDeleteI thought she was funny as the spunky cop.
ReplyDeleteGood for her.
I think this would encourage more and more hiring actors no matter their sexual orientation, but simply based on their talent.
Maybe one day we'll see an out actor do a Bruce-Willis like Blockbuster movie?
Yes, I have my rose-colored glasses on this morning.
@Dixie - sorry, had to delete and re-post my comment a bit further down!
ReplyDeleteBut here's hoping!
Go and revisit Little Darlings. It makes you cringe to watch Kristy have to act like she's into Matt Dillon. It was clear then that she played for the other team. I'm with you all - I thought this was common knowledge. Hell, it was clear when she was a kid on the show Family (I think that's right - I'm too lazy to check).
ReplyDeleteAlways knew, but good for her.
ReplyDeleteI loved Empty Nest. The dad looked exactly like my grandfather.
ReplyDeleteI was home on a few of those Saturday nights too, Enty. I always liked her and remember when she was having problems and it seems like it wasn't clear whether it was drugs or mental issues. She has a hot partner and they make a lovely couple.
ReplyDeleteGood for her!
ReplyDeleteAs long as she is happy, everyone deserves to be happy.
ReplyDeleteI think people think it was already common knowledge because she's so obviously gay. I could have sworn she already came out. Agree with Nolachickee, it was painful to watch her with Matt Dillon! I loved that movie (sigh).
ReplyDeleteI'm happy she's happy, she was everyone's favorite and then she disappeared.
Yay! Many of her fans knew this for years, but I'm glad she's comfortable enough to not hide it anymore. I know she's had difficult mental issues, so it's good to see her happy and healthy. I was such a big fan of hers way back in the olden times. She was an extremely likable and sympathetic character/human being in everything she did.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved her. I knew this too, and am so glad she has come out and seems happy. She's tremendously taltented, so very funny and charming to watch.
ReplyDeleteThe Pirate Movie is my very favorite cheesetastic movie EVER!
*Singing* "Pumpin' and Blowin', Pumpin and Blowin'"
Tatum O'Nuts - that was choice and apt, Ms. Cool!
ReplyDeleteI thought Kristy had come out many years ago, or was it just common thought? Anyway, I hope she's at peace with her life, it seemed like she had nothing but upset for years.
Was she a first crush, really? She never seemed the type to me. Pretty surprising if that is indeed true. She was good in "Little Darlings", but I never bought that she was interested in men, and vice-versa.
Little Darlings was just on TMC last night!
ReplyDeleteREAL old-timers will remember her as Buddy Lawrence in Family, as well.
yeah, saw this on People site earlier and wondered why it was being brought up again. reminds me of meridith baxter birney. she keeps "announcing" that she's gay. yes we know, no one cares, carry on.
ReplyDeleteKristy McNichol was in everything when I was growing up. Family, The Love Boat, Little Darlings...didn't she even have a variety show with her brother Jimmy? She always had that cool tomboy thing going on.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear she is doing well and happy. I would like to see her (minus Jimmy) have a comeback.
Anyone remember when she dated Leif Garret on Family??
I disagree with the Mischa-Lindsay comparison. Kristy was never into drugs. She has bipolar disorder and those behaviors can compare to how a drugged out person acts, but it was never about drugs with Kristy. As an actress she is Oscar caliber. Good for her for finally coming out. It was a different world when she was in her acting prime on television and in movies. I understand why she chose to not come out then. Go Kristy.
ReplyDeleteI remember Family. . .hell, I remember the Afterschool specials!
ReplyDeleteI think the Lindsay comparison was made because she was the breadwinner for the family from a young age. She was in everything for a few years, like those battle of the network stars shows.
Always loved her, and hope the best for her.
Remember the Battle of the Network Stars. She always participated
ReplyDeleteLoved her in Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia with Dennis Quaid and Mark Hamill. :)
ReplyDeleteLoved her in the Pirate Movie! Didn't realize all the double entendres until I got older lol
ReplyDelete@Robert .. I saw it on TCM last night!! I wish it was "Foxes" .. I had just finished watching "The Runaways" on Encore Something and I was like .. "OH cool!" when I saw "Little Darlings" then I looked at the starring list and realized my mistake. Not as good .. but still watched.
ReplyDeleteBut yes .. I thought this was pretty much already common knowledge. I am glad, however, she felt comfortable enough to share this with the world in hopes it would make it easier for younger kids coming out.
I had a big crush on Kristy McNichol when I was a teenager. My favorite movie of hers was "Summer of My German Soldier," which as far as I know isn't on DVD and never turns up on TV. I'd really love to see that - I thought she was just fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI thought "Little Darlings" was an awful movie, except for the opportunity to see her and Tatum O'Nuts (ROTFLMAO!!!!) in skimpy bikinis. That was worth the price of admission right there.
I just discovered the a couople of months ago someone bootlegged "Summer of My German Soldier" to YouTube! Thank you whoever you are!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=758jtD0xWmw
And it looks like someone has bootlegged "Little Darlings" to Youtube as well, though in pieces.
ReplyDeleteI thought she was out already too, but, silly me, I was thinking of Kelly McGillis instead of Kristy McNichol. Oops.
ReplyDelete"You gave my shirt to that damned Nazi?"
ReplyDeleteKristy and I are the same age, and I remember *knowing* when we were like 12, watching her in stuff, that she was gay. Zero question.
ReplyDeleteO.M.G. the next thing you are going to tell me is that Jodie Foster is gay, too! Noooooooo! (hahahahahaha)
ReplyDeleteGood for her! I hope she is happy.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I ever saw "Little Darlings" but I remember seeing her in an after school special (about orphans or something?) and I LOVED Empty Nest!
I was bored as hell this weekend, really wish I would have checked in here...so many good posts!
ReplyDeleteShe was not in Foxes, she was in Little Darlings.
I saw Kristy once at Soley's in Sherman Oaks about 5 years ago. She was getting a birthday cake and I couldn't resist telling her how she has changed my life and she hugged me. She's bipolar and it was her story on tv that helped me understand that I was suffering too. I still refuse meds, but I'm not in denial about it. I think she's an amazing woman and I'm glad she's finally out.
What??? Wait a minute. I thought she came out years ago. I really like her...always have. Always thought she was adorable.
ReplyDeleteShe was OUTED in 1990 by Star Magazine. They got some chick who could have been accurately described as one of Kristy's flings (she and Ina Liberace had broke up-Kristy had an on again off again relationship with Ina since 1978-I think)and that person spilled the beans quite viciously, might I add. I suspect that's one of the reasons Kristy left the business, although her bipolar disorder was most likely the main reason. I'm glad she finally got her stuff together, and I hope she comes back-she was one hell of a good actress when talent still mattered.
ReplyDelete@RenooBlondee - I was hoping someone would mention The Pirate Movie! I watched that so many times as a kid - loved it!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I knew this. Had a huge crush on her when I was 13, then a huge crush on her brother.
ReplyDeleteGood for her for stepping up and helping bullied kids.
Bad on you for comparing her to Lindsay Lohan. Kristy is bipolar. And has talent.