'The Facts of Life' Cast Then & Now – 35+ Amazing Photos

From groundbreaking sitcom roles to surprising reality show stints and personal milestones, here's where your favorite "Facts of Life" stars are today, with stunning then-and-now photo reveals.

"The Facts of Life" aired from 1979 to 1988, chronicling the emotional highs and lows of the Eastland School girls and their watchful housemother. With nine unforgettable seasons and dozens of memorable characters, it left a mark on American pop culture.

Here's what became of nine of its most beloved stars — and a bonus Hollywood heartthrob fans often forget was once part of the cast.

1. Cloris Leachman as Beverly Ann Stickle

Cloris Leachman joined the cast in 1986 as Beverly Ann Stickle, sister to Mrs. Garrett. She stayed on the show until its final season in 1988.

A Hollywood legend long before Eastland, she won an Oscar for "The Last Picture Show" and earned multiple Emmys for "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Malcolm in the Middle." She also starred in Mel Brooks' classics.

During her time on the show, she offered advice that stuck with her younger co-stars. Leachman died in January 2021 at age 94. Her son confirmed the death, but no cause was given.

2. Mackenzie Astin as Andy Moffett

Mackenzie Astin joined in 1985 as Andy Moffett, a young, eager-to-please boy who worked part-time at Edna's Edibles and later Over Our Heads. He stayed until the series ended in 1988.

Astin, who was just a teenager during filming, later reflected on what it felt like to be a teen idol in the 1980s. "I can tell you at the time it was fantastic!" he said in 2022. "It was tremendous for the ego[...] I was high on my own horse, and I had a great time thinking I was as cool as I thought I was."

Astin continued acting steadily into adulthood. His credits span film and television, and he remains active in the industry today.

3. Geri Jewell as Geri Tyler

Geri Jewell made history when he joined the show as Geri Tyler, Blair's cousin. She was the first actor with a visible disability to have a recurring role on U.S. primetime television.

Jewell later said that, at the time, she didn't grasp the significance of her casting. "I think it was because I never saw myself as 'disabled.' I didn't realize until years later how big that really was," she once shared.

Though her role on the show was brief, her impact was lasting. Jewell has remained a powerful voice for disability awareness and continues to appear at public events.

4. Charlotte Rae as Edna Garrett

Charlotte Rae was the soul of "The Facts of Life," bringing warmth, sass, and wisdom to the role of housemother Edna Garrett.

Her heartfelt performance became the show's emotional anchor, making her a fixture of 1980s television. Even after she left the series in 1986, Rae continued acting.

In 2017, Rae revealed she had been diagnosed with bone cancer. She passed away in August 2018 at her Los Angeles home. She was 92.

5. Nancy McKeon as Joanna Marie 'Jo' Polniaczek

Nancy McKeon shook things up in Season 2 with her unforgettable entrance as Jo Polniaczek, the Bronx biker with a heart of gold and a biting wit. Her rivalry-turned-friendship with Blair became one of the show's most beloved dynamics.

Following the series, McKeon continued acting, appearing in TV movies and the police drama "The Division." But in the early 2000s, she chose family over fame, relocating to a Texas ranch with husband Marc Andrus and their two daughters.

In 2018, McKeon made a brief comeback on "Dancing with the Stars," but was the third contestant to be sent home. In late 2024, a promotional photoshoot featuring the star captured attention ahead of her return to the stage in an Off-Broadway production. One fan commented, "Nancy you never age! You look amazing!!"

6. Lisa Whelchel as Blair Warner

Lisa Whelchel portrayed Blair Warner, the stylish, razor-sharp Eastland queen bee. Prior to the show, she'd already become familiar to fans on "The New Mickey Mouse Club."

After "Facts," Whelchel distanced herself from acting, only to make a stunning return in 2012 on "Survivor: Philippines," where she lasted all 39 grueling days and tied for second place.

She later reinvented herself as a life coach and now hosts MeTV's "Collector's Call." On returning to Hollywood, she said, "Shortly after returning from the Philippines, I moved back to Los Angeles to film a couple of movies and TV shows. It didn't take long to remember why I left show business 25 years earlier, so I left again."

7. Mindy Cohn as Natalie Green

Mindy Cohn, who played the witty Natalie Green, was one of the show's longest-running characters. She later voiced Velma in "What's New, Scooby-Doo?" for over ten years.

In 2012, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, quietly stepping back to focus on recovery. She found support at a New York farm owned by reality stars Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Dr. Brent Ridge.

By 2017, Cohn had beaten cancer. "I'm feeling great," she said. "And I'm so ready to get back to working. I think I'm a good actress, and I have a lot to offer. I'm excited to see what I get to do next!"

8. Kim Fields as Dorothy 'Tootie' Ramsey

Kim Fields delighted fans as Dorothy "Tootie" Ramsey, the youngest and most energetic of the Eastland girls. Whether on roller skates or delivering sassy one-liners, she left her mark through all nine seasons.

After the show, she starred in "Living Single" and found success behind the camera, directing episodes of "Kenan & Kel" and Tyler Perry's "Meet the Browns."

Younger fans might recognize her from "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" Season 8 or her appearance on "Dancing with the Stars" in 2016.

9. George Clooney as George Burnett

Yes — George Clooney. Before he became one of Hollywood's most recognizable leading men, Clooney had a regular role on "The Facts of Life" as George Burnett, the handyman, from 1985 to 1987.

Reflecting on his time with the cast, Clooney shared a heartfelt memory during a 2016 appearance on "Home & Family."

Speaking to then-89-year-old Charlotte Rae, he said, "You were such an incredible force in an early part of my career.... You were funny and kind and made a very young, not very skilled actor feel very much at home."

Though brief, the role was an early step toward his future as an Oscar-winning superstar.

A Nostalgic Legacy That Still Resonates

Over 40 years since its premiere, "The Facts of Life" continues to strike a chord with generations of fans. It wasn't just a sitcom — it was a rite of passage, full of lessons about friendship, identity, and growing up.

In 2018, Mindy Cohn shared a tear-jerking reunion photo with fellow cast members. Fans couldn't contain their emotions.

One commented, "This is my childhood all wrapped up in one picture. I loved each and every one of you lovely ladies. Thanks for the memories." Another wrote, "All look great. God-bless you all. Happy Birthday."

The cast may have moved on, but the memories remain etched in time.