Celebrity
Rarely Seen ’70s TV Star Delights Fans With Surprise Appearance
Kristy McNichol fans were thrilled when Carnie Wilson shared a selfie with the beloved ’70s TV star who stepped away from acting to focus on her health.
A rarely seen ’70s television star recently popped up in a rather surprising place. Family alum Kristy McNichol doesn’t make public appearances very often, which is why fans were thrilled when the beloved Family star unexpectedly popped up in a selfie shared by Wilson Phillips singer Carnie Wilson.
Wilson posted the adorable photo on Facebook on July 20, and again on July 24. In the caption, the “Hold On” singer wrote, “Totally fangirling!!! Kris (Kristy McNichol) was a part of my youth.”
She noted she especially loved McNichol’s performances in Little Darlings and The End.
During their encounter, Wilson admitted she told McNichol “how meaningful her movies are to me and my bestie @summercamp_ham and how we were JUST TALKING ABOUT HER…and how special she is.”
Wilson gushed, “What a gracious sweetie. She sure is loved.”
Fans Say They Still Miss Seeing Kristy McNichol on Television
The initial Facebook post of Wilson’s received nearly 30,000 likes and over 1,500 comments from fans. It was clear that Wilson isn’t the only one who still adores McNichol all these years after her most memorable performances.
“I’m gonna need Ms. Kristy McNichol to start attending fan conventions. I would pay good money to fangirl,” one comment read.
Many of the comments on Wilson’s Facebook post were either fans admitting they had crushes on her when they were young, or people who have met her over the years and gushed over how sweet she was.
“I loved all of her work. Sure miss seeing her on the screen. She looks happy and healthy and that’s huge for a former child star. Glad to see that,” someone else commented.
After winning two Emmy Awards for Family and later starring in Empty Nest, McNichol stepped away from acting. Years later, as Woman’s World notes, she revealed she had been living with bipolar disorder and chose to leave Hollywood to focus on her health.
McNichol explained, “I didn’t want to talk about it at the time. It was very private. Now I want to tell people the truth.”
Although McNichol has chosen to live a private life, one unexpected selfie was enough to remind fans just how fondly they still remember one of television’s most beloved stars.
