Kristy McNichol, the 1970′s child actress who won two Emmy Awards for her role as the tom-boyish Buddy Lawrence in the acclaimed ABC television drama “Family,” and who later starred in NBC’s “Empty Nest,” has come out as lesbian.
McNichol, 49, who has lived with her partner Martie Allen, also 49, for the past two decades, said she decided to reveal her sexual orientation because she is “approaching 50″ and wants to “be open about who I am,” reported People magazine.
McNichol said that by coming out, she hopes to inspire children who are dealing with bullies.
She “is very sad about kids being bullied,” her publicist, Jeff Ballard, told People. “She hopes that coming out can help kids who need support. She would like to help others who feel different.”
McNichol has also starred in several films, including “Little Darlings” in 1980 with Tatum O’Neal.
In 1992, McNichol was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and subsequently ended her television career.
“She is very happy and healthy,” Ballard said. “And she enjoys living a very private life.”
Filed under: People
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Oh, goodie. I can rest better at night now.
YAAAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!
I <3 the #gaycommunity<3 I also <3 #gaymarriage<3
i’m born this way, i came out of the closet at the age of two:-)
Um, we knew this years ago…she’ s just now admitting it?!
Well no shit! We always knew it apparently she didn’t.lol
nope knew her on a show called family waaaaayyy back..knew then
big surprise.
I was afraid my gaydar had been off :-)
She’s about four decades too late! LMFAO
Really!! I knew that as a child watching Empty Nest
Well, finally!!! :-{P} Congratulations, grrrl!
it’s really no ones business what her sexual orientation is, as long as she’s happy and true to herself, that’s all that matters.
lol
wow, really…she JUST came out…damn, I thought she had been out for years…lol
hahaha….she was my first crush….in the 70′s. What took her so long to finally come out. Saw this coming. Congrats!!!
Ms McNichol Thank you for being an inspiration to so many. My Daughter Kristy now an adult and mother was named after you. :)
i knew she was nd had a big crush on her! Proud of u Kristy!
AND?
Ummm, should I party like it’s 1999 now too???
thats great and I think she looks awesome !!!!
oh Buddy … we all knew … but thanks for making the statement. it IS important to show that it doesn’t need to be a secret, that kids can be proud of themselves no matter who they love, that they don’t have to hide and live in fear and shame.
How come we already knew?
I thought she came out years ago. Surely she didn’t think she was keeping a secret???
no shock. congrats on coming out. Welcome to the family. All are loved!
Ummmmmm this is old news…….
even when people ‘can tell,’ I respect the personal decision and comfort levels. And for my money, ANY public figure coming out is a step forward, so I say BRAVA!!!! <3
One of my 1st crushes.
It’s about time! :) YAY KRISTY!
Seriously?? She wasnt out????I always thought she was out .
but seriously–we all knew yrs ago —-
My partner Enriquez said in his best homosexual voice: “I always knew she was!”
it’s about time. had a huge crush on her as a kid. xoxo
loved watching her on empty nest….she was awesome.
we all knew this years ago :P one of those “hollywood secrets”.. lol
I always thought she was a great child actress and good for her to finally feel secure enough to tell who she is. It does not matter to anyone with any intelligence anyway. Be who you are~~celebrate who you are. We only go around once in life.
DOH
Welcome home honey!
Didn’t she come out, like, 1,000 years ago?? I could’ve sworn she did.
oh that’s SUCH a huge surprise!….hahaha!
I have been in love with her since Little Darlings!!!
I remember having a teenage crush on her. Now I like her even more.
Its about time
there’s a shocker hahaha. She should go out w Jodie Foster! they’ll make the cover of Tiger Beat together circa 1976
Again, didn’t she come out sometime back?
I knew it!! I used to have such a crush on her growing up…
Let us please ratchet down the hate.
Congrats on coming out!!
I swear she came out 15 yrs. Ago.
I have loved you for years good for you Welcome out of the closet and into the streets… Hugs…
Its about freaking time…
I had a crush on her when she was on Empty Nest….I always thought she was gay, but I also gaydar’d Ellen and Rosie O’Donnell too. However, it is nobody’s business if you are or not and I’m proud of her for finally feeling strong enough to admit it. The more out people we have, whether gay, trans, or whatever, the more power we have. I think that is the most important thing, the GLBTQ power in numbers.
What a wonderful and diverse actress she really is. I’m glad she’s living her life the way she wants too.
great she came out where was she when you had to hide and be in the closet when we needed her voice where was she
About as surprising as Ricky Martin coming out….now, when the heck is ‘Little Darlings’ going to be released on DVD with the cool extras?!
Now that its safe? Whatever
its about time!
what a shocker lol i found out in like the late 70 .it’s great tho she wont to be out now.
Awww, I had such a crush on her when I was a kid. Oh well nothings changed. Str8 btw.
I knew there was a reason i liked her so much as a kid!
Once again my gaydar was right. Just a lil surprised you waited so long to come out.
fucking fags , i hope you all die and burn in hell . -steve
Yep will be fucking fags til I die Steve Hughes. Thanks for the hellacious wishes . May the flames help you to see the light.
@Steve- You’ll be the one burning in hell, dude.
Oh I thought it was already known she was a lesbian
Happy Birthday Kristy, this is the first day of the rest of your life
Angel, we knew….we all knew. But good for u. It takes courage.
We all knew already, right? Now if Marcus Bachmann would just come out…
Whoa…it’s been a long long long long time since EMPTY NEST then she just disappeared after her show ended…Haven’t heard nothing about her until finally her face show up right here….Yea I already know she is….
Bravo, Kristy. It takes strength and a good sense of yourself to be true to your inner self.
when was she in the closet??
I am soo glad for her decision!!!
bout time!!
yay!!
I never buy the National Enquirer but in May 1992 there was an article referenced on the cover about Kristy and Marty, so I bought the mag. I was just sorting through my gay literature a couple of days ago and came across it. “Empty Nest star Kristy McNichol in a trial marriage – with a woman!”
Yes, it wasn’t a huge secret but coming out in People is a bigger statement. Those of my era know it can take awhile to be completely out. Congratulations, Kristy!
It would be nice if you felt interested in doing interviews because a 22-year loving lesbian relationship is one the public still needs to see clearly, unfortunately.
better late than never :)
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OMG me too!! I always wished she was and later assumed she was. Thank you Kristi for giving us someone on screen that made us feel like we were not alone in the world.:) Congrats and thank you for for coming out!
You sicko! How dare you put down gay people. Maybe you should kick the bucket instead and leave more space for the gays that don’t commit suicide because of you!! Idiot!
Better watch it dumb jerk. Gay people are everywhere whether you can handle it or not. How about all the straight people we all have to put up with? Why don’t you get the hell out of life and leave space for some gay kids that commit suicide because of ignorant fools like you. Get lost!!
The two above emails are for Steve who put down gays as fags that should burn in hell. I think he is a sick man.
Kristy, I have always loved and knew she was gay as a teen myself. We used to go to some of the same gay clubs as young women. Not together, but I always wanted to meet her. She was an idol at the perfect time. Now, I love Ellen Degeneres!!
Had a crush on her since “Family”…back when there were great and honest story lines for families to watch together.
Congrats and welcome to the “Family” Kris!