On this Diff'rent Strokes spin off Whelchel played Blair Warner, the vain daddy's girl who fancied herself head of the pack. While some of her costars would continue to work on television after the show's cancellation Whelchel's career effectively ended with The Facts of Life. She would make several appearances on The Love Boat but after that any and all acting work would be connected to The Facts of Life reunion shows and related events. A devout Christian, Whelchel released an inspirational music album in 1984 which earned her Grammy nomination, though she never did a follow up album.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2822612/10_female_child_stars_with_failed_careers_pg3.html?cat=2

http://www.x-entertainment.com/pics/facts3.jpg

i would say no because in the end she opted for the type of life that she herself wanted and so she has had a far better life for herself than anything that hollywood could ever give her

Leaving Hollywood behind to become a wife and mother was a personal choice for Lisa Welchel. So no her career was not a failure. In fact that choice led to a whole new career as an author and lecturer on parenting issues.

I have great respect for Lisa. Leaving Hollywood does not mean she's a failure. It was her choice and she appears happy.

She had a starring role in a successful television show, so I'd say "No." However, if she wanted more than that, then yes, her career wasn't as successful as it could have been.

She has said on more than one occasion that leaving show biz behind to be a full-time wife/mom was one of the best decisions she's ever made - that the Lord was leading her to do so.

Lisa has kept busy on the lecture circuit, as a writer, runs "MomTime Ministries" among other things now that her kids are off in college. She's said that FOL and Blair gave her a platform to reach young women that she wouldn't have had otherwise.

So, no - I don't think she had a failed Hollywood career at all. She took her experiences from her show biz career and helped use them as a platform for her ministry - and I've also heard her say she doesn't rule out a return to acting now that her kids are grown.

She starred in a hit, classic sitcom that ran for nine years. I would hardly call that a failure. After all, there are tons of actors who star in long-running shows and disappear at the end of them. Two reasons: 1) being typecast and 2) a little thing called residuals that if invested properly can help you live quite comfortably for years and years. I have no clue what the girls on the show made, but you can't tell me they didn't walk away from a show that ran for nine years pretty well set, unless they blew it all which I doubt.

She starred in a hit, classic sitcom that ran for nine years. I would hardly call that a failure. After all, there are tons of actors who star in long-running shows and disappear at the end of them. Two reasons: 1) being typecast and 2) a little thing called residuals that if invested properly can help you live quite comfortably for years and years. I have no clue what the girls on the show made, but you can't tell me they didn't walk away from a show that ran for nine years pretty well set, unless they blew it all which I doubt.


To me, she did not fail. Like other posters stated, it was by her own choice. She has been very blessed by the Lord and I am happy for her. I think she and Steve are coming up on their 23rd anniversary. I wish them well.

Yup - Lisa and Steve were married on July 9, 1988, so they're coming up on their 23rd anniversary very soon!! :love:

Hasnt Lisa openly stated after the show ended she had no desire to continue acting? She gave birth to all of her children quickly after the show ended with little time frames between the births? i think Lisa was always happy with her decision she made

Lisa married Steve Cauble in July of 1988, shortly after the show had ceased production. Nancy, Mindy and Kim were all bridesmaids!! The three children were born three years in a row!! Wow!!

Actually, in her book, she wanted to juggle acting and motherhood. She auditioned for Aaron Spelling and a few other producers but didn't get the jobs. Lisa then wrote she felt it was obvious God was closing that door and telling her she was meant to be a full-time wife/mother. She has also said she does not regret it. Now that her kids are grown, who knows? I've heard her say in interviews that she wouldn't rule out a return to acting, but she is also very busy with her writing and on the lecture circuit. If you haven't read Lisa's memoir from 2001, I think it's definitely worth checking out - and I hope she'll consider updating it!! :cool: :D

Some people it is hard for them to juggle their private life and their acting career too. Because if they are married and have children they obviously want to be there for them as well as being able to maintain that balance while trying to have a career too an obviously at that time in her life it wasn't meant to happen though it is nice to hear that she hasn't shut the door completely on that part of her life and could possibly return back in front of the cameras again.

I don't think her career was a failure after a run of nine seasons and a few movies. She did try something for Aaron Spelling, but when that audition didn't pan out, she took it as God's sign to quit the business.


I'm currently reading her book "Friendship For Grownups". It's an excellent read about how she had trouble finding deep relationships as an adult. :cool:

I'm currently reading her book "Friendship For Grownups". It's an excellent read about how she had trouble finding deep relationships as an adult. :cool:

I've read that book, too. It really is a great read.

I read "Friendship for Grownups" as well. I like her writing style. It's kind of like she's sitting there chatting with you. And she has a quirky sense of humor that I enjoy. But sometimes its painful to read. My sense of privacy is about 1000 times stronger than hers. Sometimes I wanted to say "TMI. La-la-la-la" with my hands over my ears.

absolutely not, considering she was on a most popular sitcom for 9 seasons, then had a grammy nominated album (take that Chinese Democracy!!) and did several good movies, esp. "Twirl" and she is happy and successful in a second career as a mom and author? C'mon, are you kidding? Lisa is a beautiful example of a happy hollywood story.