Logo

CNN, TVWeek, YouTube

‘Facts of Life’ Star Dies

Aug 6, 2018  •  Post A Comment

A veteran television actress who was known for her high-profile role on the sitcom “The Facts of Life” has died. CNN reports that Charlotte Rae died Sunday at her home in Los Angeles.

Rae, who played housekeeper Edna Garrett both on “Diff’rent Strokes” and on its spinoff “The Facts of Life,” reportedly died peacefully surrounded by family members. She was 92.

Her cause of death was not reported.

Rae played house mother to a group of young women attending the fictional Eastland School on “The Facts of Life,” which aired on NBC from 1979-1988. Nancy McKeon, Kim Fields, Mindy Cohn and Lisa Whelchel were among the young actresses whose characters benefited from the wisdom imparted by Rae’s Mrs. Garrett.

Rae was nominated for two Primetime Emmys, first for a supporting performance on “Queen of the Stardust Ballroom” in 1975, followed by a nod for her lead role on “The Facts of Life” in 1982.

She chronicled her six-decade show business career in her 2015 autobiography, “The Facts of My Life,” co-written with her son Larry Strauss. That same year, Rae appeared in the feature film “Ricky and the Flash” along with Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline.

Here’s a Mrs. Garrett highlight reel …

Your Comment

Email (will not be published)