• Nancy McKeon is an American actress, voice actress, director, producer and writer
• She is best known for iconic role in NBC’s “The Facts of Life”
• Has a net worth of approximately $6 million as of August 2019
• Appeared in 189 episodes of “The Facts of Life”
• Married to actor and TV presenter Marc Andrus since 2003 and has two daughters



Known for movies

Short Info

Net Worth$6 Million
Date Of BirthApril 4, 1966
SpouseMarc Andrus
FactAustin, Texas: Living on a ranch, with her husband, Marc Andrus, and their daughters, Aurora Andrus and Harlow Andrus. [2010]


Who is Nancy McKeon?

Born under the fire sign of Aries on 4 April 1966, in Westbury, New York State USA, Nancy Justine McKeon is a 53-year-old American actress, voice actress, director, producer and writer. She is best known for her iconic role in NBC’s “The Facts of Life”, which many consider one of the best sitcoms of all time. Her first foray into the world of acting occurred when she was just a child, and mostly involved appearances in commercials and small-time roles in popular shows. After “The Facts of Life” was discontinued, her career slowed down, as she couldn’t land any significant roles in the mid-2000s. After years away from the public eye, she resurfaced in 2018, as a competitor in the 27th season of “Dancing with the Stars”, but from which she was soon eliminated.

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Early Life and Education: Destined for Stardom

Nancy was born into a devoutly religious family, meaning that she grew up with strict Catholic values. Despite her parents’ piousness, she was brought up in a loving environment and never lacked anything. Nancy made her acting debut at the tender age of two, when she starred in several regional and national commercials. Her father was a travel agent by profession, but he loved watching various shows and movies, which drew young Nancy towards considering acting as a vocation. She has a brother, Phillip, who also became a notable actor. At the age of 13, the entire McKeon family moved to Los Angeles, California, so that Phillip and Nancy could pursue their acting careers to the fullest. In 1984, she matriculated from Bellarmine-Jefferson High School in Burbank, California, after which, as a result of her early success, Nancy decided to forego a college education and focus on acting.

Career Beginnings: From a Toddler to a Young Star

Prior to becoming a notable television actress, Nancy mostly appeared in commercials. Some of these roles involved her brother Phillip co-starring alongside her, which drew a lot of attention to the McKeon family. In her prepubescent years, Nancy appeared in “Another World” and “The Secret Storm”, both notable soap operas, however, for unspecified reasons, she was uncredited for these roles. Officially, her debut was as Vicki Mayer in an episode of “Starsky and Hutch” in 1977. A year later, she appeared in “Fantasy Island” and “A Question of Love”, the latter of which was a highly rated TV movie of the 1970s. She even tried her hand at voice acting, lending her vocal chords to several characters in the animated series “Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo”. After “The Love Boat”, she succeeded in landing her first recurring role as Jill Stone in “Stone”, appearing in three episodes. This wasn’t something usual for a 13-year-old, but Nancy was already on her way to becoming a true child star.

Nancy McKeon

The Crown Jewel of Her Career: The Facts of Life

In 1979, when the McKeon family moved to Los Angeles, young Nancy was called for an audition for a role in “Alice”. The audition went well, but she had another lined up – for a greetings card advertisement on the Hallmark Channel. During the audition, she was noticed by a casting director who offered her the role of Jo Polniaczek in “The Facts of Life”. Even though the offer was compelling, Nancy had second thoughts, mostly because four of the show’s original cast members left, and people predicted that the show’s rating would plummet. However, this was not the case, and she became one of the central characters in many plotlines, having an instrumental influence on the show’s success throughout the 1980s, appearing in a total of 189 episodes. ‘We went through puberty on camera. The audience saw us go through our ugliest times and come out all right.’, she said of the experience. Even though this was a breakthrough for Nancy, things were about to go downhill.

Struggles: Missing Out on Friends, Working Girl and More

While on ABC, Nancy continued to develop her voice acting career, notably as Scruffy in “Scruffy: The Tuesday Dog”. Even though she earned a lot of money and attracted a lot of attention due to her time in “The Facts of Life”, she didn’t know which direction to take to develop her career. It seemed as if she was always just a second way from landing another big role. She auditioned for the main part in the sitcom adaptation of “Working Girl”, but lost out to a relatively unknown actress by the name of Sandra Bullock. In 1994, she was on the cusp of greatness yet again, as she was on the shortlist of candidates for the role of Monica Geller in “Friends”, but as we all know, she lost to Courteney Cox.  In an interview about the subject, she had the following to say: ‘I have no hard feelings. The role went to the right person. Courteney was brilliant. Now, I can’t see anybody playing the role, not even myself.’ Things were looking bleak for Nancy until she surprised everyone.

Her Own Creation: Can’t Hurry Love

In 1995, the acting world was shocked when Nancy announced that she would be producing “Can’t Hurry Love”, in which she would also be the lead star. The plot revolves around Annie, a single woman in her thirties, who has no luck when it comes to finding Mr. Right. Despite the show being the 24th most watched series in the entire country, CBS decided to cancel it. Even though it attracted positive reviews, a lot of critics described the show as an “all-female version of “Friends””.

Later Works and Dropping Off the Grid

After her failed experiment, McKeon refused to give up. In 1998 she appeared in 13 episodes of “Style and Substance” as Jane Sool. Around this time, she was ready to take it easy, but still wanted to land another role as grand as in “The Facts of Life”.

She came close to achieving that as Inspector Jinny Extead in the hit cop drama “The Division”, appearing in 88 episodes of the show from 2001 to 2004. ‘I hope we’re put in the same league as other cop shows.’, she said during the first season. ‘Hopefully, we will be able to hold our heads up high and be considered among the best shows, like “NYPD Blue”.’ Shortly after being in five episodes of “Sonny with a Chance” in 2010, she dropped out of the public eye. Apparently she grew tired of show business, and wanted to lead a peaceful life. In 2018, she returned as a contestant in season 27 of “Dancing with the Stars”. Her partner was legendary Ukrainan dancer Valentin Chmerkovskiy, but they were the third couple eliminated.

Personal Life: Is Nancy McKeon Married? Does She Have Any Children?

Nancy married her husband, actor and TV presenter,Marc Andrus, on 8 June, 2003; they started daring way back in 1993. Together they have two daughters, Aurora born on 5 March 2004, and Harlow who came into this world in December of 2006.

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#tbt ??red phase?☘️ ???#irish #philackermanhair ??

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Today, Nancy resides in Austin, Texas with her family. Previously, she was in a relationship with Mark Holmes, the frontman of Canadian glam rock/punk rock band Platinum Blonde,  and from 1982 to 1985, she was with Michael J. Fox, whom she met while shooting “High School USA”. Not many people know this, but at the height of her stardom, she arranged to meet Pope John Paul II together with her parents. Nancy is also fond of martial arts.

Net Worth: How Rich is Nancy McKeon?

Have you ever wondered how affluent Nancy really is? According to credible sources, she has a net worth of approximately $6 million, as of August 2019, accumulated largely by being the star of one of the highest rated sitcoms of all time. Afterwards she focused on voice acting, and took on more recurring roles in “Style and Substance” and “The Division”. Given the fact that she’s not active anymore, this amount of money is more than enough to last her for an entire lifetime.

Body Measurements: How Tall is Nancy McKeon?

Nancy McKeon is 5ft 6in (168cm), weighs 134lbs (61kg) and maintains a slim figure. Her eyes are green, while her hair is dark brown.

Social Media Presence

Thanks to the ever expanding grasp that social media has on worldwide audiences, it is in the best interests of most celebrities to keep their fans informed about their activities and thus maintain and potentially increase their ratings and profit. However, it doesn’t appear as though Nancy is at all preoccupied with maintaining her involvement in this trend, seeing as her presence on social networks is all but ubiquitous at the moment. She only has an Instagram account, but which is followed by over 36,000 fans.

General Info

Full NameNancy McKeon
Net Worth$6 Million
Date Of BirthApril 4, 1966
Height1.68 m
ProfessionScreenwriter, Television producer, Film director, Actor, Television Director
NationalityAmerican

Family

SpouseMarc Andrus
ChildrenAurora Andrus, Harlow Andrus
ParentsDonald McKeon, Barbara McKeon
SiblingsPhilip McKeon

Accomplishments

AwardsYoung Artist Award for Best Young Actress in a Comedy Series, Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress in a Movie Made for Television, Audience Award, Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress in a Television Special
NominationsYoung Artist Award for Best Young Comedienne - Motion Picture or Television, TV Land "When Bad Teens Go Good" Award, PRISM Award for Performance in a Drama Series Multi Episode Storyline, PRISM Award for Performance in a Drama Series
MoviesA Cry for Help: The Tracey Thurman Story, Comfort and Joy, Strange Voices, A Mother's Gift, Love, Honor & Obey: The Last Mafia Marriage, Baby Snatcher, Category 6: Day of Destruction, High School U.S.A., Poison Ivy, The Wrong Woman, Where the Day Takes You, This Child Is Mine, Love Begins, Wild Hear...
TV ShowsThe Division, Style & Substance, One to Grow On, The Facts of Life, The Puppy's Further Adventures, The Scooby & Scrappy-Doo/Puppy Hour, Can't Hurry Love

Social profile links

Quotes

#Quote
1[on Facts of Life] We went through puberty on camera. The audience saw us go through our ugliest times and come out all right.
2I don't really think that way. If I were to cross the river tomorrow, I'd think I had had as good a time here [on earth] as people could have. I'm enjoying the day and watching how things evolve. - Ambition
3"I hope we're put in the same league as other cop shows. Female or male, it's the same job. Hopefully, we will be able to hold our heads up high and be considered among the best shows, like NYPD Blue (1993)". -Discussing The Division (2001).
4I'm usually the victim, the one who gets beat on.

Facts

#Fact
1She was in a previous relationship with Platinum Blonde lead singer Mark Holmes.
2Austin, Texas: Living on a ranch, with her husband, Marc Andrus, and their daughters, Aurora Andrus and Harlow Andrus. [2010]
3Was good friends with singer Michael Damian in the 1980s.
4Remains good friends with her The Facts of Life (1979) co-star Lisa Whelchel.
5At age 40, she gave birth to her second child, daughter Harlow Andrus, at the end of December 2006.
6Was number 81 on vh1's The Greatest: 100 Greatest Kid Stars (2005)
7Lived, for a time, in Kansas City, Missouri.
8She became a mother when she gave birth to her first child, a daughter named Aurora, on March 6, 2004.
9Was considered for the part of Monica on Friends (1994). The role later went to Courteney Cox.
10Practiced a form of martial arts.
11Declined to participate in The Facts of Life Reunion (2001) because, "I'm just not a fan of that kind of thing. I would not watch it, so why would I be IN it? It's just never the same." She did, however, offer to direct a movie which would have dealt with the girls reuniting after Jo's death. She later said that she was joking.
12Younger sister of Philip McKeon.
13Was cast as the lead in the TV show Working Girl (1990), but left before production started. She was replaced by Sandra Bullock.

Pictures

Movies

Actress

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Love Begins2011TV MovieMillie (as Nancy Mckeon)
Sonny with a Chance2009-2010TV SeriesConnie Munroe
Without a Trace2007TV SeriesGail Sweeney
Wild Hearts2006TV MovieEmily
Category 6: Day of Destruction2004TV MovieAmy Harkin
The Division2001-2004TV SeriesInspector Jinny Exstead
Comfort and Joy2003TV MovieJane Berry
Touched by an Angel1999TV SeriesRachel Waters
In My Sister's Shadow1998TV MovieJoan Connor
Style & Substance1998TV SeriesJane Sokol
Just Write1997Bride
Can't Hurry Love1995-1996TV SeriesAnnie O'Donnell
The Wrong Woman1995Melanie
A Mother's Gift1995TV MovieMargaret Deal
Teresa's Tattoo1994Sara
Love, Honor & Obey: The Last Mafia Marriage1993TV MovieRosalie Profaci Bonanno
Baby Snatcher1992TV MovieKaren Williams
Where the Day Takes You1991Vikki
Lightning Field1991TV MovieMartha
The Hitchhiker1990TV SeriesDawn Wilder
A Cry for Help: The Tracey Thurman Story1989TV MovieTracey Thurman
The Facts of Life1980-1988TV SeriesJo Polniaczek / Frizzo
Strange Voices1987TV MovieNicole Glover
The Facts of Life Down Under1987TV MovieJoanne 'Jo' Polniaczek
Firefighter1986TV MovieCindy Fralick
This Child Is Mine1985TV MovieKimberly Downs
Poison Ivy1985TV MovieRhonda Malone
High School U.S.A.1983TV MovieBeth Franklin
The Puppy's Further Adventures1983TV SeriesDolly (1983) (voice)
Dusty1983TV MovieSlugger
The Facts of Life Goes to Paris1982TV MovieJoanne 'Jo' Polniaczek
The Scooby and Scrappy-Doo Puppy Hour1982TV SeriesDolly (voice)
Pac Preview Party1982TV MovieDolly (voice, uncredited)
ABC Weekend Specials1979-1982TV SeriesDolly / Ameila Matilda Daley / Scruffy / ...
Alice1978-1981TV SeriesKimberly / Girl Orphan
Thundarr the Barbarian1980-1981TV SeriesTai Tye
Please Don't Hit Me, Mom1981TV MovieNancy Parks
ABC Afterschool Specials1980TV SeriesLucy Twining
Stone1979-1980TV SeriesJill Stone
Stone1979TV MovieJill Stone
The Love Boat1979TV SeriesPenny Barrett
Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo1979TV SeriesAdditional Voices (voice)
A Question of Love1978TV MovieSusan Moreland
Fantasy Island1978TV SeriesAnn
Starsky and Hutch1977TV SeriesVikki Mayer

Director

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Division2002-2003TV Series 2 episodes
A Wakening1999Short

Producer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
A Wakening1999Short producer
Can't Hurry Love1995TV Series producer
Strange Voices1987TV Movie co-executive producer
Firefighter1986TV Movie producer

Writer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
A Wakening1999Short writer

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Home & Family2016TV SeriesHerself
The 9th Annual TV Land Awards2011TV SpecialHerself
Good Morning America2011TV SeriesHerself
Biography2010TV Series documentaryHerself
E! True Hollywood Story2006TV Series documentaryHerself
Today2006TV SeriesHerself
The Rosie O'Donnell Show2001-2002TV SeriesHerself
Lauren Hutton and...1995TV SeriesHerself
Golden Globes 50th Anniversary Celebration1994TV MovieHerself
One on One with John Tesh1992TV SeriesHerself
The Wil Shriner Show1987TV SeriesHerself
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1985TV SeriesHerself
Battle of the Network Stars XVIII1985TV SpecialHerself - NBC Team
One to Grow On1985TV Series shortHerself
NBC Special Treat1983TV SeriesHerself - Host
Battle of the Network Stars XIV1983TV SpecialHerself - NBC Team
Battle of the Network Stars XII1982TV SpecialHerself - NBC Team
The Regis Philbin Show1981-1982TV SeriesHerself
The New Battlestars1981TV SeriesHerself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade1981TV MovieHerself

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Entertainment Tonight2015TV SeriesHerself
Sonny with a Chance: Sonny's Big Break, Volume 12009VideoConnie Munroe
50 Cutest Child Stars: All Grown Up2005TV Movie documentaryHerself
Candid Camera: 5 Decades of Smiles2005VideoHerself
Biography2005TV Series documentaryJoanne 'Jo' Polniaczek in 'The Facts of Life'

Awards

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2000Audience AwardMarco Island Film FestivalBest Short DramaA Wakening (1999)
2000Crystal Palm AwardMarco Island Film FestivalBest First Short FilmA Wakening (1999)
1983Young Artist AwardYoung Artist AwardsBest Young Actress in a Movie Made for TelevisionThe Facts of Life Goes to Paris (1982)
1983Young Artist AwardYoung Artist AwardsBest Young Actress in a Television SpecialPlease Don't Hit Me, Mom (1981)
1983Young Artist AwardYoung Artist AwardsBest Young Actress in a Comedy SeriesThe Facts of Life (1979)

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2007TV Land AwardTV Land AwardsThe "When Bad Teens Go Good" AwardThe Facts of Life (1979)
2004Prism AwardPrism AwardsPerformance in a Drama Series Multi Episode StorylineThe Division (2001)
2003Prism AwardPrism AwardsPerformance in a Drama SeriesThe Division (2001)
2003Prism AwardPrism AwardsPerformance in a Drama Series EpisodeThe Division (2001)
1984Young Artist AwardYoung Artist AwardsBest Young Actress in a Comedy SeriesThe Facts of Life (1979)
1982Young Artist AwardYoung Artist AwardsBest Young Comedienne - Motion Picture or TelevisionThe Facts of Life (1979)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia
Author

Benjy is currently a reporter for BiographyPedia based in Adelaide, Australia. Prior to joining BiographyPedia in July 2019, he was a Bizarre TV reporter and theatre critic at TheSun. Benjy has also written for DailyMail and TMZ. Benjy studied journalism at Goldsmiths University of London, graduating in 2009. You can contact him at [email protected].

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