http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/25/mackenzie.phillips.profile/

Actress Mackenzie Phillips has said that she believes she had a "genetic predisposition" to the life of sex, drugs and rock and roll that have come to define her.


Mackenzie Phillips tells CNN's "Larry King Live" that her father raped her in 1979.

In a 1999 interview on CNN's "Larry King Live" on "Why Some Childhood Stars Crash and Burn," the former "One Day at a Time" star said she didn't blame Hollywood for the years of drug and addiction she had endured.

"I think that for a lot of us, alcoholism and addiction is the root of the problem, not the fact that we were child stars," she said at the time. "Certainly, it lent to the problem, but it wasn't the root of the problem."

By the time she did the interview, her well-publicized addiction to cocaine, drug arrests and stints in rehab had overshadowed an acting career once full of promise.

Then, on Wednesday, the 49-year-old actress revealed on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" that she engaged in an incestuous relationship with her father, legendary musician John Phillips, for nearly 10 years.

In her tell-all memoir, "High on Arrival" -- named after a song her father dedicated to her -- she claims the relationship began in 1979. She claims her father forced himself on her while they were under the influence of drugs on the night before she was to marry Jeff Sessler, a member of the Rolling Stones' entourage.

She ended the relationship a decade later, when she became pregnant and realized she did not know who had fathered her child -- her husband or her own father -- and terminated the pregnancy, the actress told CNN's "Larry King Live." Watch Phillips discuss her alleged incestuous relationship with her father »

But before the incest claims -- and subsequent denials from relatives -- Mackenzie Phillips was better known as a child actor full of promise who fell from grace under the toxic guidance of her drug-addicted father.

Born Laura Mackenzie Phillips in 1959 to John Phillips and Baltimore socialite Susan Adams, Phillips told People magazine in 1980 that she alternated between two wildly different worlds after her parents divorced when she was three years old.

"My mother concentrated on bringing me up a proper lady," Mackenzie Phillips told the magazine. "And then on weekends at my dad's place, I would find Mick Jagger and Donovan and the Beatles hanging out. I remember crawling all over Paul McCartney."

Her father taught her to roll a joint when she was 10, she tried cocaine for the first time when she was 11 and lost her virginity at age 12, she told Meredith Vieira of NBC's"Today" show.

When she was 12, a talent scout for Francis Ford Coppola spotted her playing in a band with classmates on amateur night at the Troubadour, according to People.com. She eventually landed a memorable role in the 1973 hit coming-of-age flick, "American Graffiti."

After filming, her mother sent her to a Swiss boarding school, but the rebellious teen didn't last long in exile. She returned to her father's home in Los Angeles under the supervision of her father's sister, Rosemary Throckmorton. When her father and stepmother left for New York in 1974 and never returned, Mackenzie, her brother Jeffrey, moved in with their aunt in "a little house behind the Hollywood Bowl which we shared with 12 cats," according to People.com.

Despite her relocations, Phillips' career continued to advance. At 15, she appeared in her second movie, "Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins," with Alan Arkin. In 1975, she was offered the role of Julie Cooper on CBS' hit sitcom, "One Day at a Time," according to IMDB.com.

"By the time I turned 18, I moved into a little chalet of my own and felt very grown-up," Mackenzie told People in an interview in 1980.

As her star grew, so did her appetite for drugs, particularly cocaine.

A few years later, just after she turned 18, Phillips was arrested when she was found collapsed on quaaludes on a street in Los Angeles.

Phillips said on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" that her father's response was, "Congratulations! Now you're a real Phillips. Now you know that even though they caught you, the rules don't apply."

Her weight loss and erratic behavior disrupted the show's filming and became a source of distress to her co-stars, Bonnie Franklin and Valerie Bertinelli, according to People.com.

According to Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh's "The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows," Phillips missed the 1980-81 season while in rehab for addiction issues.

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When she went to seek treatment at Fair Oaks, a psychiatric hospital in Summit, New Jersey, in December 1980, she joined her father and stepmother, who entered the hospital after being charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics, according to People.com.

She left with a clean bill of health, but soon enough resumed using drugs even as she attempted to rebuild her career as a member of her father's new version of the Mamas & the Papas.

In her memoir, she recalls arriving at a hotel room to find two packages -- one containing her father's newly published memoir and another containing an eighth of an ounce of cocaine, according to excerpts of the book published on MSNBC.com.

After shooting up, she recalls reaching for the book and looking up her name in the index.

"Under my name was a list of subheadings and page numbers. I scanned down the entries:

Phillips, Laura Mackenzie

acting career of...

arrested on drug charges...

attempts to clean out...

in California...

childhood of...

drug use by...

early childhood of...

at finishing school in Switzerland...

Jeff Sessler and...

marriage to Jeff Sessler...

Peter Asher and...

rape....

shipboard romance on QE 2...

"There it was, my life to date, with highlights selected, cross-referenced, and alphabetized. I had been organized and reduced to a list of sensational and mostly regrettable and/or humiliating anecdotes. Being indexed, particularly under such dubious headings, gave me a weird feeling that definitely wasn't pride. I felt like I wasn't a real person, just a list of incidents and accidents," she writes in the book.

Her television career experienced a revival in the 1990s, with guest appearances on hot shows including "Beverly Hills, 90210," "Melrose Place," "Walker, Texas Ranger" and "Chicago Hope," her profile on IMDB.com states.

From 1999 to 2001, she had a regular role in the Disney series, "So Weird," and several other television guest appearances followed, according to IMDB.com.

She appeared to be getting her life back on track, eventually giving birth to a son, Shane.

She was arrested in for drug possession in 2008 on her way to an "One Day at a Time" reunion. Since then, she says she has been drug-free, and hopes that purging herself of the secret incestuous relationship will help her recover.


Yet she insists she does not hate her father for what he did.

"I have to say that I loved my father, and I still do. I've been trying to come to terms with this very difficult past," Phillips told Winfrey.

I am reading this book right now (checked it out of the library) and don't find the style trashy at all. I find Mac very forthright and to the point. She makes no excuses. She was a victim - of excess and lack of supervision. I wish Mac nothing but the best from here on out and pray she is able to conquer her demons.

Thanks Monika. I need to get that book myself.

Thanks Monika. I need to get that book myself.
My pleasure! Let me know when you finish reading it - I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I bought a copy of the book this very afternoon and should be starting it after I finish a couple of other books that I have yet to read. I feel very sorry for MacKenzie and everything that she had to deal with. :( I also think that John Phillips in on the same level of evolution as pond scum. :mad:

John Phillips was a musical genius but he was a horrible father and husband. It's a wonder Mac's survived it all.

Here's an awesome interview with Chynna Phillips supporting her sister on GMA:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgJltCZ87gg

I finished the book - what a read!! The incest doesn't really take up that much of the book, but it seems that her father continues to haunt her, even though he's been dead for almost 9 years. Michelle (of all Mac's stepmoms) comes across very well in the book so now it comes as a surprise that her comments about the book are so harsh. But then again, as the sole surviving member of the Mamas & Papas (as well as co-writer on some of their songs) it might be threatening. She is their keeper of the flame.

I found in my local library years ago both John and Michelle's autobiographies. Both were published in the mid-80s and both are long out of print. But you may want to check to see if your local library has them or check places like Amazon. John's book is called Papa John, and Michelle's is called California Dreaming.

The only real complaint I have about Mac's book is the constant use of the F-word. I think they could've at least done something like "f***" and still gotten the point across. Then again, that's just my opinion.

I finished the book - what a read!! The incest doesn't really take up that much of the book, but it seems that her father continues to haunt her, even though he's been dead for almost 9 years. Michelle (of all Mac's stepmoms) comes across very well in the book so now it comes as a surprise that her comments about the book are so harsh. But then again, as the sole surviving member of the Mamas & Papas (as well as co-writer on some of their songs) it might be threatening. She is their keeper of the flame.

I found in my local library years ago both John and Michelle's autobiographies. Both were published in the mid-80s and both are long out of print. But you may want to check to see if your local library has them or check places like Amazon. John's book is called Papa John, and Michelle's is called California Dreaming.

The only real complaint I have about Mac's book is the constant use of the F-word. I think they could've at least done something like "f***" and still gotten the point across. Then again, that's just my opinion.

I can understand that, Monika, but I'd rather a person speak in their own voice and not censor themselves for some notion of political correctness. Again, that's just my opinion.

Me, I'm waiting for Schneider's tell-all book about how he did Bonnie Franklin and all the female guest stars!!:D ;)

I can understand that, Monika, but I'd rather a person speak in their own voice and not censor themselves for some notion of political correctness. Again, that's just my opinion.

Me, I'm waiting for Schneider's tell-all book about how he did Bonnie Franklin and all the female guest stars!!:D ;)
Well, that's you're opinion and I can respect that. Again, to each his own. About Schneider's book, what it would be called? How about:

Schneider: The Tool With the Tool Belt

Well, that's you're opinion and I can respect that. Again, to each his own. About Schneider's book, what it would be called? How about:

Schneider: The Tool With the Tool Belt

:lol:

Monika, you are a pistol!

Or, if he wrote in character, it would be titled something like...

One Broad At A Time.

See? I told you I hate political correctness!!:D ;)

:lol:

Monika, you are a pistol!

Or, if he wrote in character, it would be titled something like...

One Broad At A Time.

See? I told you I hate political correctness!!:D ;)
Yes, that sounds like the title of a Schneider book. :lol: I hate political correctness, too. :lol:

I used to love "One Day at a Time", at least until Mackenzie left/got fired. After that it kind of lost something.

I agree, Monika. It's a miracle the woman survived all that trauma and tragedy. Even SUBTRACTING the horrendous incestuous affair, the whole "showed her how to roll a joint at age 10" had me stunned and angered. That's about as bad as you can get.

I hope she can rebound and find peace. It's WAY past time for a "One day at a Time" reunion; maybe that'd be a neat way for the cast to show their support for her.

I wonder if Mackenzie's predisposition to do drugs wasn't more enviremental than genetic. Considering who her father was and the people he hung out with and the lifestyle he chose to live for most of his adult life. Fortunately Mac no longer lives in that envirement. I hope and pray that this time she will stay clean and sober and that she will find peace and fulfillment in her new role as an advocate and role model for incest victims. She is a very courageous woman and I admire her very much. I also think it's very cool that she and I share the same birthday. (November 10)

God bless Mac. I hope she is able to overcome her demons once and for all. :)

I wonder if Mackenzie's predisposition to do drugs wasn't more enviremental than genetic. Considering who her father was and the people he hung out with and the lifestyle he chose to live for most of his adult life. Fortunately Mac no longer lives in that envirement. I hope and pray that this time she will stay clean and sober and that she will find peace and fulfillment in her new role as an advocate and role model for incest victims. She is a very courageous woman and I admire her very much. I also think it's very cool that she and I share the same birthday. (November 10)
Not only was John a drug abuser, Mac's mom (and John's first wife) Susan, also became an alcoholic. Of John's five kids, the only one who seems to have had no issues with substance abuse is Chynna - probably because she is the kid who spent the least amount of time with him.

I think it is very telling that John's last three wives have all condemned the book (the only one I haven't heard say anything one way or the other of the book is Mac's mom, Susan). Poor Mac - he was a horrible father and it is no wonder she became an addict.

I used to love "One Day at a Time", at least until Mackenzie left/got fired. After that it kind of lost something.

I agree, Monika. It's a miracle the woman survived all that trauma and tragedy. Even SUBTRACTING the horrendous incestuous affair, the whole "showed her how to roll a joint at age 10" had me stunned and angered. That's about as bad as you can get.

I hope she can rebound and find peace. It's WAY past time for a "One day at a Time" reunion; maybe that'd be a neat way for the cast to show their support for her.

They did a reunion a few years back. MacKenzie even acknowledged her past and how bad she felt. All of them were there, including Pat Harrington, though it felt scripted in the way most of those "let's get together and reminisce" shows are.

I agree that the show wasn't the same and it got worse when they brought in that annoying kid Alex!! But it was so typical of the sitcom mentality back then because with Mac gone and Valerie no longer a kid (and becoming a very beautiful young lady), they probably figured they needed a new kid for the "youth" factor.

But looking back, Alex staying on with Ann after her father's death made no sense whatsoever! Where was his mother? Or an Aunt or other blood relative to take care of him?? I don't remember if Alex's mother was dead or alive, but still, it's highly unlikely he would have gone with his Dad's girlfriend because Ann and Nick never married.

They did a reunion a few years back. MacKenzie even acknowledged her past and how bad she felt. All of them were there, including Pat Harrington, though it felt scripted in the way most of those "let's get together and reminisce" shows are.

I agree that the show wasn't the same and it got worse when they brought in that annoying kid Alex!! But it was so typical of the sitcom mentality back then because with Mac gone and Valerie no longer a kid (and becoming a very beautiful young lady), they probably figured they needed a new kid for the "youth" factor.

But looking back, Alex staying on with Ann after her father's death made no sense whatsoever! Where was his mother? Or an Aunt or other blood relative to take care of him?? I don't remember if Alex's mother was dead or alive, but still, it's highly unlikely he would have gone with his Dad's girlfriend because Ann and Nick never married.
Alex did indeed have a living mother, and when he was finally written out of the show he went to live with her. Why he was living with Ann all that time and not his mom, I don't know. But I agree that Alex was by far one of the most annoying kids on TV - the only one that could possibly be worse is Sam from Diff'rent Strokes.

Again, as others have mentioned, the show was at its best when it focused on the single mom and her two girls. The conflict between Julie and Barbara (not to mention Ann and Julie) really helped put the show on the map. It really did lose that something special once Mac became indisposed and had to leave show. :(

Alex did indeed have a living mother, and when he was finally written out of the show he went to live with her. Why he was living with Ann all that time and not his mom, I don't know. But I agree that Alex was by far one of the most annoying kids on TV - the only one that could possibly be worse is Sam from Diff'rent Strokes.

Again, as others have mentioned, the show was at its best when it focused on the single mom and her two girls. The conflict between Julie and Barbara (not to mention Ann and Julie) really helped put the show on the map. It really did lose that something special once Mac became indisposed and had to leave show. :(

The show was based around the premise of a somewhat sheltered woman (Ann) who ended her longtime marriage and was struggling to raise two teenage daughters amidst all the pressures of the seventies (women's lib, drugs, drinking, etc).

When the eighties came, Julie had to be hastily married and written off because of MacKenzie's real life issues. Once that happened and they kept Alex (God only knows why), the show began to shift a bit and lost some of it's original premise.

And when Barbara was no longer a young girl coming of age and Ann finally found happiness with Howard Hesseman's character, it was truly over. But why a kid with a living mother would be allowed to stay with his deceased Dad's girlfriend is beyond me. I know it was only a sitcom, but that was stretching it a wee bit!

Here are the cast reunions of ODAAT - the first pics are from the CBS retrospective that aired in early 2005, and the last one from the Today Show appearance in early 2008.

The show was based around the premise of a somewhat sheltered woman (Ann) who ended her longtime marriage and was struggling to raise two teenage daughters amidst all the pressures of the seventies (women's lib, drugs, drinking, etc).

When the eighties came, Julie had to be hastily married and written off because of MacKenzie's real life issues. Once that happened and they kept Alex (God only knows why), the show began to shift a bit and lost some of it's original premise.

And when Barbara was no longer a young girl coming of age and Ann finally found happiness with Howard Hesseman's character, it was truly over. But why a kid with a living mother would be allowed to stay with his deceased Dad's girlfriend is beyond me. I know it was only a sitcom, but that was stretching it a wee bit!

Yeah, once Julie was written off I didn't follow the show as much. She was the catalyst for a lot of the more dramatic storylines, and much the same way that Mike and Gloria leaving AITF lessened that show, Julie's absence diminished conflict potential with ODAAT.

And I loathed that Alex kid. WHY do they always think a smart mouthed kid is the answer? :confused:

Yeah, once Julie was written off I didn't follow the show as much. She was the catalyst for a lot of the more dramatic storylines, and much the same way that Mike and Gloria leaving AITF lessened that show, Julie's absence diminished conflict potential with ODAAT.

And I loathed that Alex kid. WHY do they always think a smart mouthed kid is the answer? :confused:
Well, at least Stephanie was a better character than Alex. I think Carroll O'Connor and Danielle Brisbois had a real connection that made that story work. Plus by the time she came around, it was pretty much Archie Bunker's Place, anyway.

Well, at least Stephanie was a better character than Alex. I think Carroll O'Conner and Danielle Brisbois had a real connection that made that story work. Plus by the time she came around, it was pretty much Archie Bunker's Place, anyway.


Yeah I didn't mind Stephanie. The show had lost most of its steam by that time, but it wasn't due to her. And I agree about her and O'Connor's connection; it seemed very real. Ditto Jean Stapleton. :)

Here are the cast reunions of ODAAT - the first pics are from the CBS retrospective that aired in early 2005, and the last one from the Today Show appearance in early 2008.
Those are great pics of the cast. Thanks for posting them!

Those are great pics of the cast. Thanks for posting them!
Most of them I found right here at the SO photo gallery!! :cool: :D

But why a kid with a living mother would be allowed to stay with his deceased Dad's girlfriend is beyond me. I know it was only a sitcom, but that was stretching it a wee bit!

I vaguely remember the episode in which it was decided that Alex would stay with Ann and Barbara. Alex's mom, Ann's boyfriend's ex-wife, didn't want him to stay with her and asked Ann to take him. I think she was moving/re-establising her life as a single woman and she didn't think that she could provide for Alex as well as Ann could. A lot of it seemed to hinge on Alex would have to move and that he'd gone through enough trauma recently with his parent's divorce and the death of his dad. Alex moved out the next season, so the viewers were left to assume that he was ready to begin a new chapter.

I vaguely remember the episode in which it was decided that Alex would stay with Ann and Barbara. Alex's mom, Ann's boyfriend's ex-wife, didn't want him to stay with her and asked Ann to take him. I think she was moving/re-establising her life as a single woman and she didn't think that she could provide for Alex as well as Ann could. A lot of it seemed to hinge on Alex would have to move and that he'd gone through enough trauma recently with his parent's divorce and the death of his dad. Alex moved out the next season, so the viewers were left to assume that he was ready to begin a new chapter.
Thanks for sharing that!! I read that he eventually did go live with his mom, so I guess it just took a bit of time.

Thanks for sharing that!! I read that he eventually did go live with his mom, so I guess it just took a bit of time.

If I was Ann, I would have given her money to help out-- anything just to get rid of that annoying brat!:mad:

If I was Ann, I would have given her money to help out-- anything just to get rid of that annoying brat!:mad:
:rofl: You sound a bit hostile there, not that I blame you.

:rofl: You sound a bit hostile there, not that I blame you.

I'll dial it back a bit. Thanks, Monika.

I mean, when Nick was gone, there was no reason for that character to remain. Mac gone, it wasn't the same anymore.:(

Here are the cast reunions of ODAAT - the first pics are from the CBS retrospective that aired in early 2005, and the last one from the Today Show appearance in early 2008.

Great pictures. :)