Molly Ringwald Looks Back on Getting Fired from "The Facts of Life" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 01-31-2019, 02:19 AM

Molly Ringwald Recalls being Fired from "The Facts of Life" When she was 12
by Maureen Lee Lenker
Jan. 30, 2019

Molly Ringwald may have been a 1980s “It” girl thanks to her roles in John Hughes films, but her early career was a little bit bumpy.

While sitting down with PeopleTV’s Couch Surfing, the actress revealed she was fired from one of her first major acting gigs, featuring on "The Facts of Life" when she was 12 years old. Ringwald explained that the show initially began with this concept of an all-girls school focusing on numerous female characters throughout the first season.

Eventually, they decided to narrow the focus to four girls: Natalie, Tootie, Blair, and originally Ringwald’s character, Molly (naturally).

“Then they changed their minds and then fired me, which was kind of hard as a 12 year old girl,” she recalled. “What they said is, they wanted something closer to Lisa Whelchel, who played Blair, they wanted something closer to her age and I was too young at the time. I was a little bit of a different generation.”

Ringwald did have the option to return to the show from time-to-time, but she admits dealing with the rejection was too hard for her at such a young age.

“Once you’ve been a regular and then you’re booted to be a semi-regular, it was really hard and humiliating,” she said. “My mom said, ‘Do you really want to do this?’ and I said, ‘No,’ and that was it. I wasn’t on the show anymore.”

This formative experience made Ringwald cautious, so much so that she’s been reluctant to indulge her own daughter’s interest in acting until very recently.

https://ew.com/tv/2019/01/30/molly-r...facts-of-life/

'80sSitcoms · 01-31-2019, 02:23 AM

Oooo, thanks JamesG! Great reading!

So interesting more of this talk of "Molly was to be the 4th"...when one of the FOL documentaries claims Julie Anne Haddock was the last girl to bet let go. Hmmm...

It's so nice to hear her divulge more details of her "Facts" experience. Thanks again!

RetroGuy2000 · 01-31-2019, 02:26 AM

SO glad Molly's at last opening up and talking about the Cast Purge!

Thanks for sharing this, James.

'80sSitcoms · 01-31-2019, 02:33 AM

Okay, I just watched the video, and this is fascinating. We get to actually watch Molly Ringwald watching herself as Molly Parker on FOL! We've never seen ANY of the cast watching the show before! That really struck a chord with me big time. And she gets to chuckle at herself, so cute.

And how cool to hear her say "Blair", "Natalie", and "Tootie" as an adult!

RetroGuy2000 · 01-31-2019, 02:37 AM

Yes! I've downloaded the video already.

'80sSitcoms · 01-31-2019, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Yes! I've downloaded the video already.

I was just totally blown away in that video watching "The Facts of Life" actually WITH Molly Ringwald!

RetroGuy2000 · 01-31-2019, 02:52 AM

I know. It's so great. It's even better than Molly wishing Charlotte a happy birthday, or Molly talking smack about Mindy Cohn and getting fired. Just such a pleasant surprise!

Lorimar Television · 01-31-2019, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Okay, I just watched the video, and this is fascinating. We get to actually watch Molly Ringwald watching herself as Molly Parker on FOL! We've never seen ANY of the cast watching the show before! That really struck a chord with me big time. And she gets to chuckle at herself, so cute.

And how cool to hear her say "Blair", "Natalie", and "Tootie" as an adult!

Too bad she doesn’t talk about Sue Ann, Cindy, or Nancy!

'80sSitcoms · 01-31-2019, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I know. It's so great. It's even better than Molly wishing Charlotte a happy birthday, or Molly talking smack about Mindy Cohn and getting fired. Just such a pleasant surprise!

"talking smack", haha

I love that they've met in adulthood, and Molly says Mindy's a very nice person.

That makes me wonder, has she ever run into any of the other Eastland girls?? That would be so cool!

'80sSitcoms · 01-31-2019, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

Too bad she doesn’t talk about Sue Ann, Cindy, or Nancy!

Yeah, but too bad she wasn't asked about them -- or Mrs. Garrett, especially since Charlotte is gone now.

'80sSitcoms · 01-31-2019, 04:02 PM

Here we go guys, a gallery of Molly Ringwald watching "The Facts of Life"! Wow, our first instance watching a cast member watch the show! Group hug!

-

Lorimar Television · 01-31-2019, 11:05 PM

Too bad we only see a cold open

'80sSitcoms · 01-31-2019, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

Too bad we only see a cold open

So far you are very negative in this thread, lol. You haven't said one upbeat thing! This is an amazing video!

Lorimar Television · 01-31-2019, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

So far you are very negative in this thread, lol. You haven't said one upbeat thing! This is an amazing video!

Too bad she doesnt look at the cinnamon bun scene...

Seriously though its very cool that we see her watching a FOL scene, its great to hear her talk about her side of events. I believe her, I think maybe producers want us to think they knew right away they were hiring a new cast member.

'80sSitcoms · 01-31-2019, 11:43 PM

^----ha, now that's the Lorsie we know and love!

01-31-2019, 02:19 AM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,129	Molly Ringwald Looks Back on Getting Fired from "The Facts of Life" *Molly Ringwald Recalls being Fired from "The Facts of Life" When she was 12* by Maureen Lee Lenker Jan. 30, 2019 Molly Ringwald may have been a 1980s “It” girl thanks to her roles in John Hughes films, but her early career was a little bit bumpy. While sitting down with PeopleTV’s Couch Surfing, the actress revealed she was fired from one of her first major acting gigs, featuring on "The Facts of Life" when she was 12 years old. Ringwald explained that the show initially began with this concept of an all-girls school focusing on numerous female characters throughout the first season. Eventually, they decided to narrow the focus to four girls: Natalie, Tootie, Blair, and originally Ringwald’s character, Molly (naturally). “Then they changed their minds and then fired me, which was kind of hard as a 12 year old girl,” she recalled. “What they said is, they wanted something closer to Lisa Whelchel, who played Blair, they wanted something closer to her age and I was too young at the time. I was a little bit of a different generation.” Ringwald did have the option to return to the show from time-to-time, but she admits dealing with the rejection was too hard for her at such a young age. “Once you’ve been a regular and then you’re booted to be a semi-regular, it was really hard and humiliating,” she said. “My mom said, ‘Do you really want to do this?’ and I said, ‘No,’ and that was it. I wasn’t on the show anymore.” This formative experience made Ringwald cautious, so much so that she’s been reluctant to indulge her own daughter’s interest in acting until very recently. https://ew.com/tv/2019/01/30/molly-r...facts-of-life/

01-31-2019, 02:26 AM	#3
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	SO glad Molly's at last opening up and talking about the Cast Purge! Thanks for sharing this, James.
	__________________ The Facts of Life's "Lost Girls" Tribute to Julie Piekarski, Eastland Girl Join "The Group", Sitcoms Online's Facts of Life group!

01-31-2019, 04:02 PM	#11
'80sSitcoms Member Forum Star Join Date: Jan 30, 2013 Posts: 12,474	Here we go guys, a gallery of Molly Ringwald watching "The Facts of Life"! Wow, our first instance watching a cast member watch the show! Group hug! - Attached Images

01-31-2019, 02:23 AM	#2
'80sSitcoms Member Forum Star Join Date: Jan 30, 2013 Posts: 12,474	Oooo, thanks JamesG! Great reading! So interesting more of this talk of "Molly was to be the 4th"...when one of the FOL documentaries claims Julie Anne Haddock was the last girl to bet let go. Hmmm... It's so nice to hear her divulge more details of her "Facts" experience. Thanks again!

01-31-2019, 02:33 AM	#4
'80sSitcoms Member Forum Star Join Date: Jan 30, 2013 Posts: 12,474	Okay, I just watched the video, and this is fascinating. We get to actually watch Molly Ringwald watching herself as Molly Parker on FOL! We've never seen ANY of the cast watching the show before! That really struck a chord with me big time. And she gets to chuckle at herself, so cute. And how cool to hear her say "Blair", "Natalie", and "Tootie" as an adult!

01-31-2019, 02:37 AM	#5
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	Yes! I've downloaded the video already.

01-31-2019, 02:52 AM	#7
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	I know. It's so great. It's even better than Molly wishing Charlotte a happy birthday, or Molly talking smack about Mindy Cohn and getting fired. Just such a pleasant surprise!

01-31-2019, 11:05 PM	#12
Lorimar Television Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 06, 2007 Posts: 7,034	Too bad we only see a cold open

01-31-2019, 11:43 PM	#15
'80sSitcoms Member Forum Star Join Date: Jan 30, 2013 Posts: 12,474	^----ha, now that's the Lorsie we know and love!