Kristy McNichol is a talented actress, best recognized for her iconic role as "Buddy" in the popular television series Family, where she garnered two Emmy Awards and received a Golden Globe nomination. Her illustrious career in television began with guest appearances on renowned shows such as Starsky and Hutch, The Bionic Woman, Love American Style, and The Love Boat, showcasing her versatility and range.
Her first recurring role came with the CBS television series Apple's Way, where she played the character Patricia Apple. McNichol's feature film debut was in the comedy "The End," starring alongside Burt Reynolds, and she went on to appear in a string of notable films, including "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" with Dennis Quaid and Mark Hamill, "Two Moon Junction" with Louise Fletcher, "The Pirate Movie" with Christopher Atkins, "Just the Way You Are," "The Forgotten One," and "You Can't Hurry Love."
In addition to her film work, McNichol has made a significant impact in television, starring in numerous television movies, such as "Women of Valor," "Like Mom, Like Me," "Summer of My German Soldier," "Love, Mary," and "My Old Man." She has also lent her voice to several animated television series, including "Extreme Ghostbusters" and Steven Spielberg's "Invasion America."
One of her most notable film credits is the hit movie "Little Darlings," which earned her a People's Choice Award. McNichol has also made appearances on the Witt, Thomas, Harris hit series "Empty Nest" and has been a part of various other projects, including Neil Simon's "Only When I Laugh" with Marsha Mason, which garnered her a Golden Globe nomination, Alan Pakula's "Dream Lover," and Samuel Fuller's "White Dog."
Aside from her acting career, Kristy McNichol is also a devoted philanthropist, dedicating a significant amount of her time to charity work. Moreover, she is a skilled singer, having released several albums, including The Pirate Movie (1982) soundtrack, The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia (1981) soundtrack, and the Kristy and Jimmy McNichol album on RCA Records.