The Facts of Life, one of the most beloved sitcoms of the 1980s, debuted on NBC 45 years ago on August 24, 1979, ending in 1988 after nine seasons. A spin-off from Diff’rent Strokes, the series ...

Forty-five years later, Geri Jewell knows for a fact which episode was her favorite. The actress, 68, starred as Blair Warner’s cousin, Geri Tyler, on the iconic ’80s sitcom “Facts of Life,” and she ...

THE FACTS OF LIFE — Pictured: (center) Nancy McKeon as Joanna 'Jo' Marie Polniaczek Bonner, Mindy Cohn as Natalie Letisha Sage Green, Charlotte Rae as Mrs. Edna Ann Garrett, Lisa Whelchel as Blair ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Marc Berman is a New York-based reporter who covers media. THE FACTS OF LIFE — Pictured: (clockwise from top left) Nancy McKeon as ...

Nancy McKeon admits “there was a lot” of talk about the cast’s weight behind the scenes on “The Facts of Life.” While McKeon — who starred in the ’80s sitcom with Lisa Whelchel, Kim Fields and Mindy ...