Mrs. Garrett moves on... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

kadeliah · 04-02-2008, 09:53 PM

Mrs. Garrett moves on from 'Facts of Life'

When Edna Garrett bid farewell to Blair, Joe, Natalie and Tootie on "The Facts of Life" in 1986, it was just the beginning of another chapter in the life of the actress who played her: Charlotte Rae.

"I've had a busy, busy time for quite awhile," Rae said last week. "I made a movie with Peter O'Toole and Marcia Gay Harden which I thought was going to come out at the end of November, but it wasn't quite ready. It's called `Christmas Cottage.' Then I did a few cruises where I sang and lectured. I did a club in San Francisco called The Plush Room, and it was a lot of fun. Then I did a cameo in a movie with Adam Sandler that's coming out in June."

Rae, who turns 82 on April 22, has done guest spots in recent years on such shows as "King of Queens" and "Strong Medicine" and was the voice of Nanny in "101 Dalmations: The Series."

She doesn't mind being forever known as Mrs. Garrett, who worked as the housekeeper on "Diff'rent Strokes" in 1978, then spent seven seasons as the housemother at a private all-girls school.

"That was such a dear show," she said of "Facts of Life.

"We really presented issues that were wonderful for opening up dialogue between parents and their kids. It was warm and sweet ... Friends of mine who are actors in their early 30s tell me they grew up with us and tell me they have such a feeling for Mrs. Garrett and the girls. I guess it's meant a lot to them. It makes me feel very, very grateful."
Prior to her Mrs. Garrett years, Rae appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "Sesame Street" and as a cast member on "Car 54 Where Are You?" and "Hot L Baltimore." She was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1975 for her performance in "Queen of the Stardust Ballroom."

But she also has wowed on the stage in productions of "Three Wishes for Jamie," "The Threepenny Opera," "Li'l Abner," and "Pickwick."

In 2001, Rae gathered with most of the cast for a "Facts of Life" reunion movie, and she remains quite close to some of her former co-stars.

"I'm very close with Lisa (Welchel) and her husband and children and Nancy McKeon and her husband, and she has two little ones," she said.

"I admire Mindy (Cohn) very much but I haven't seen her in years. She doesn't like it when I say I discovered her, but it's true. I'm grateful that we had her because she was a wonderful complement to the other girls. A tremendous talent."

Rae, who keeps busy with her grandchildren, is excited about the recent CD release of "Songs I Taught My Mother," an album she made in 1955 of "silly, sinful, and satirical" songs.

"It's got the greatest material," she said. "The best songs."

And if another good TV role comes along?

"I love television," she said. "I wouldn't mind getting a recurring part on television. I wouldn't want to do it every week."

link to the story

ZeldaGilroy · 04-02-2008, 10:01 PM

That is a great article. Thanks for posting it!

I Love Lamp · 04-02-2008, 10:06 PM

It's nice she still acts, and stays in touch with the girls.

PlayOn · 04-02-2008, 10:21 PM

Glad Charlott had only good things to say about FOL and that fame didn't go to her head. It's great she's still acting and is in her 80s.
Thanx for posting.

pfeifferobsessed · 04-02-2008, 10:27 PM

charlotte is awesome!!! its great that shes gonna make a cameo in an adam sandler movie!

FOL85NatandMrsGRock · 04-04-2008, 07:44 AM

I agree, Charlotte is awesome! And i can't wait to see these new movies she talks about! Thanks for the article cuz it made my day!

Robert 13 · 04-04-2008, 12:13 PM

I just checked www.imdb.com and there is a listing for The Christmas Cottage with Peter O'Toole and Marcia Gay Harden but Charlotte Rae isn't listed in the credits.

Scoobiedoo30 · 04-04-2008, 12:20 PM

witch season did Garrett Leave The Facts of Life.

pfeifferobsessed · 04-04-2008, 04:57 PM

the first two eps of the 8th season were her last!

RoryGilmore · 04-04-2008, 06:24 PM

Thanks for posting that, I enjoyed it!

Nighthawk76 · 04-05-2008, 12:17 AM

Great article.

Thank you for sharing it with us.

04-02-2008, 09:53 PM	#1
kadeliah silent dreamer Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 23, 2003 Location: maryland Posts: 197	Mrs. Garrett moves on... Mrs. Garrett moves on from 'Facts of Life' When Edna Garrett bid farewell to Blair, Joe, Natalie and Tootie on "The Facts of Life" in 1986, it was just the beginning of another chapter in the life of the actress who played her: Charlotte Rae. "I've had a busy, busy time for quite awhile," Rae said last week. "I made a movie with Peter O'Toole and Marcia Gay Harden which I thought was going to come out at the end of November, but it wasn't quite ready. It's called `Christmas Cottage.' Then I did a few cruises where I sang and lectured. I did a club in San Francisco called The Plush Room, and it was a lot of fun. Then I did a cameo in a movie with Adam Sandler that's coming out in June." Rae, who turns 82 on April 22, has done guest spots in recent years on such shows as "King of Queens" and "Strong Medicine" and was the voice of Nanny in "101 Dalmations: The Series." She doesn't mind being forever known as Mrs. Garrett, who worked as the housekeeper on "Diff'rent Strokes" in 1978, then spent seven seasons as the housemother at a private all-girls school. "That was such a dear show," she said of "Facts of Life. "We really presented issues that were wonderful for opening up dialogue between parents and their kids. It was warm and sweet ... Friends of mine who are actors in their early 30s tell me they grew up with us and tell me they have such a feeling for Mrs. Garrett and the girls. I guess it's meant a lot to them. It makes me feel very, very grateful." Prior to her Mrs. Garrett years, Rae appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "Sesame Street" and as a cast member on "Car 54 Where Are You?" and "Hot L Baltimore." She was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1975 for her performance in "Queen of the Stardust Ballroom." But she also has wowed on the stage in productions of "Three Wishes for Jamie," "The Threepenny Opera," "Li'l Abner," and "Pickwick." In 2001, Rae gathered with most of the cast for a "Facts of Life" reunion movie, and she remains quite close to some of her former co-stars. "I'm very close with Lisa (Welchel) and her husband and children and Nancy McKeon and her husband, and she has two little ones," she said. "I admire Mindy (Cohn) very much but I haven't seen her in years. She doesn't like it when I say I discovered her, but it's true. I'm grateful that we had her because she was a wonderful complement to the other girls. A tremendous talent." Rae, who keeps busy with her grandchildren, is excited about the recent CD release of "Songs I Taught My Mother," an album she made in 1955 of "silly, sinful, and satirical" songs. "It's got the greatest material," she said. "The best songs." And if another good TV role comes along? "I love television," she said. "I wouldn't mind getting a recurring part on television. I wouldn't want to do it every week." link to the story

04-02-2008, 10:21 PM	#4
PlayOn ADHD: what I have not who I am Senior Member Join Date: Jun 17, 2006 Location: I'll never tell. :p Posts: 2,745	Glad Charlott had only good things to say about FOL and that fame didn't go to her head. It's great she's still acting and is in her 80s. Thanx for posting.
	__________________ Have you heard the ? Jesus saves!!!

04-04-2008, 07:44 AM	#6
FOL85NatandMrsGRock The Lovable Sarah Senior Member Join Date: Nov 07, 2000 Location: Wisconsin (Same Place Charlotte's From and where That 70's Show takes place!) .... Wish I was in Mayfield USA! Posts: 1,770	I agree, Charlotte is awesome! And i can't wait to see these new movies she talks about! Thanks for the article cuz it made my day!
	__________________ Lorelai: (on the phone to Luke) So where are you anyways? Luke: I'm somewhere near if I lived here I'd shoot myself Lorelai: Oh I hear it's lovely there this time of year Gilmore Girls Eric: This guy's no good, I'm telling you, I have a 5th sense about these things! Jack: You mean a 6th sense? Eric: No, that's smell! You gotta be lucky to get that one! Boy Meets World

04-04-2008, 12:20 PM	#8
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	witch season did Garrett Leave The Facts of Life.
	__________________ Who Dat

04-04-2008, 06:24 PM	#10
RoryGilmore Always and Forever Forum Veteran Join Date: Oct 30, 2004 Location: Wherever he is, that's where I'll be Posts: 6,529	Thanks for posting that, I enjoyed it!
	__________________ I have died everyday, waiting for you Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years I'll love you for a thousand more And all along I believed, I would find you Time has brought your heart to me, I have loved you for a thousand years I'll love you for a thousand more

04-02-2008, 10:01 PM	#2
ZeldaGilroy Dobie and Zelda Forever!!! Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 14, 2000 Location: I don't know...I'm probably lost! Posts: 4,144	That is a great article. Thanks for posting it!

04-02-2008, 10:06 PM	#3
I Love Lamp Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 10, 2007 Location: US Posts: 264	It's nice she still acts, and stays in touch with the girls.

04-02-2008, 10:27 PM	#5
pfeifferobsessed Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 24, 2008 Location: Oh, how I wish I lived in Peekskill Posts: 684	charlotte is awesome!!! its great that shes gonna make a cameo in an adam sandler movie!

04-04-2008, 12:13 PM	#7
Robert 13 Member Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,521	I just checked www.imdb.com and there is a listing for The Christmas Cottage with Peter O'Toole and Marcia Gay Harden but Charlotte Rae isn't listed in the credits.

04-04-2008, 04:57 PM	#9
pfeifferobsessed Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 24, 2008 Location: Oh, how I wish I lived in Peekskill Posts: 684	the first two eps of the 8th season were her last!

04-05-2008, 12:17 AM	#11
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254	Great article. Thank you for sharing it with us.