I know that Kari transitioned (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kari_Michaelsen) from the world of acting to public speaking and hosting educational seminars, but I recently read a comment (https://www.datalounge.com/thread/30014489-gimme-a-break!) that said that if Elisabeth Shue didn't exist, the Kari could've theoretically had her career. On the same token however, Kari Michaelson seemed to have more of a 'blue collar' look to her than Elisabeth Shue. So it would've worked for most of the roles that Shue got in the mid to late '80s.

Probably the most notable acting gig that Kari did post-Gimme A Break! was when she guest starred on Full House (https://www.facebook.com/Kari-Michaelsen-361738942501/videos/flash-back-with-john-stamos-and-dave-coulier-on-full-house-just-a-few-seasons-ag/1222259674615136/) in 1989 as Dave Coulier (https://m.facebook.com/361738942501/videos/tbt-with-john-and-dave-on-full-house-during-my-brunette-phase-for-joey-and-stacy/417179385724054/)'s love interest. She unlike her blonde look on GAB, sported dark brown hair, so she was pretty unrecognizable at first.

She was also the runner up to Nancy McKeon for the role of Jo on Facts of Life.

She was also the runner up to Nancy McKeon for the role of Jo on Facts of Life.

I was looking at photos of Kari Michaelsen at Nell Carter's memorial service (https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/nell-carter-funeral) back in 2003 and she was still incredibly beautiful. She was kind of like (since we're on the subject of The Facts of Life), Lisa Whelchel, where she appeared to age remarkably well:
https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/actress-kari-michaelson-attends-the-funeral-of-actress-nell-carter-at-picture-id1747757?s=2048x2048

With that being said, I'm having a hard time imagining Kari as Jo on TFOL. Jo as Nancy McKeon portrayed her, was quite butch, to be brutally honest. On GAB, Kari was playing the cute, pretty Kanisky sister.

I read somewhere a while back that Kari and Helen Hunt used to compete alot for the same roles back in the day.

It seems all 3 of the girls have been successful in life post "Gimme a Break". Really nice to see considering so many other child stars have had issues over the years.