This veteran actress didn’t plan on an acting career, but one unexpected role on a popular TV show changed her life. Now, in her late fifties, she’s overcome major challenges and is living happily today. Here’s a look at her inspiring journey and how she’s doing now.
Known for playing Natalie Green on *The Facts of Life* (1979–1988), she was discovered as a teenager. Years later, health issues forced her to leave Hollywood, but now, at 58, she’s thriving once again.
In a 2013 article, the actress shared about her younger years, saying, “Have I ever mentioned performing or wanting to act? No, sir.”
She explained, “If someone had asked what I wanted to be, I’d have probably said a doctor, since I wanted to help people and had a talent for it.”
Her acting journey happened by chance. In the summer of 1979, just before ninth grade, she and some classmates were pulled from class to meet TV producers creating a new sitcom set in a girls’ school.
The producers, including actress Charlotte Rae, were casting for The Facts of Life and thought she’d be perfect for a role. Rae found her “charming and funny,” suggesting a part be created for her.
Her role on The Facts of Life made her a household name. She continued acting after the show and voiced Velma in What’s New, Scooby-Doo? for over a decade.
But in 2012, her life took a turn. One morning, she felt unusually tired during a walk. She called her friend Helen Hunt for help. After a doctor’s visit, tests revealed troubling news: she had breast cancer.
For the next five years, she endured a “siege,” facing surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation. Known for her optimism, she admitted feeling worn down by the recurring cancer.
“I kept waiting for things to get better, but they didn’t,” she said. “I couldn’t control or fix any of it.”
Seeking peace, she left Hollywood for a quiet life in the country. She moved to a farm owned by friends Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Dr. Brent Ridge, where she found a sense of family.
The farm kept her busy, from stacking shelves to feeding chickens and even caring for goats. Her friends often saw her helping around the property, finding comfort in the farm work.
In 2017, she was declared cancer-free and expressed gratitude for her parents and close friends who supported her through it all.
With her health restored, she returned to Hollywood, reconnecting with her fans and eager for new roles. She felt ready to work again, saying, “I think I’m a good actress, and I have a lot to give.”
At 58, she remains single and child-free, having dedicated herself to her career. Though she enjoys seeing her friends’ families, she cherishes the close relationships in her life.
She’s open to finding love, but with a strong network of loved ones, she feels fulfilled, knowing she can lean on others and support them in return.
Now in her late fifties, she has embraced aging naturally. Feeling more beautiful than in her youth, she avoids cosmetic fixes, humorously singing Let It Go from Frozen when tempted.
As she nears sixty, she is living life fully, surrounded by friends, pursuing her passions, and looking forward to what’s next. Her journey shows that love, humor, and resilience can guide us through even the hardest times, making every chapter meaningful.
If you encounter someone with this tattoo on their hand, you should know what it symbolizes.
For different people, tattoos and other body markings can represent a wide range of meanings. Something that is revered in one part of the world could be viewed as inappropriate in another; a symbol or piece of art that has significant value in one place might seem like random squiggles in another. It’s safe to say, in my opinion, that for as long as we have been as a species, people have used their appearances to communicate ideas and express themselves.
Unless you’re a resident of a remote island, you’re probably accustomed to seeing tattooed individuals. Certain designs can be little regrets from childhood, but others might have deeper significance—telling tales or following customs or traditions, for example.I don’t know about you, but I always find it fascinating when I see the same tattoo on multiple people.
That is to say, I’m instantly captivated by the meaning of the tattoo and the reasons the owner felt it was so important to have it on display for the rest of their lives. One that I have witnessed many times over the years but have never taken the time to look into is the so-called “red string of fate.”
The small red tattoo will certainly be recognizable to some of our readers, but it is unlikely that many of those who have seen it before will get its symbolic meaning. I did say that I had seen a couple folks with the tattoo. Certainly enough to identify a trend. I had no idea what this mark meant, but it had to imply something.
I used the internet to conduct some research and found that the red thread tattoo in issue is known as the “red string of fate” in Asian traditions. Usually seen on men’s thumbs and women’s pinky fingers, the tattoo has a basic bow-like design with tails that mimics a tied shoelace.This small tattoo has a meaning that is centered on optimism and desire.
The tale is purportedly based on a folktale from China about a matchmaker who foretells the partners that each of us is destined to meet.Naturally, the notion that one is fated to meet someone else is not exclusive to romantic endeavors, nor is the idea of sharing an invisible relationship with another person confined to any one culture; rather, it is present in practically all of them.
No matter where they are, when they are, or what happens, two people are meant to be lovers, according to the red string of fate. That is a comforting and pleasurable concept for some people. Still others, meanwhile, surely would prefer to be masters of their own fate.
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