Marsha Mason

Question: Hello. My father and I disagree: I thought Kristy McNichol was just in movies until Empty Nest, but he seems to think she was in a television series prior to that. Is that true? If so, what was the name? Thank you for your help.

Answer: Sorry, Holly, but the homily holds true in this case: Father knows best. Teen superstar Kristy McNichol made her first splash as a nationally known celeb playing 13-year-old Letitia "Buddy" Lawrence on ABC's groundbreaking Family in March 1976. And her story resembles that of other child stars: Fame without a real-life perspective is a tough way to grow up.

"Everybody wants a piece of you," the actress — who did commercial work at 8, Love, American Style at 9 and was a Family regular at 13 — told TV Guide read more