The Rise & Fall & Rise of Lauren Chapin From 'Father Knows Best' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 12-28-2010, 11:48 PM

Remember Kathy "Kitty" Anderson, the youngest daughter on Father Knows Best? Chapin played the role from 1954 until 1960 starting when she was just 9 years old. After the show she dropped out of high school and got married at 16. Separated 2 years later and divorced after 5 years, she started doing drugs at 18, becoming addicted to heroin. It took a year long stint in rehab to cure her. Two more marriages followed, both ended. She no longer acts and makes the occasional public appearance. While her acting career may have fizzled, she has found a new calling as a licensed and ordained Christian evangelist.

Marvo301 · 12-29-2010, 12:58 AM

I'm glad that Lauren has been able to put her drug addiction behind her and turn her life around. I hope and pray that she can use her calling as a Christian evangelist to help other people make similar changes to their lives.

catlover79 · 12-29-2010, 05:05 AM

Lauren friended me on Facebook. She is indeed a sweetheart - AND a survivor, who had to endure horrific abuse (both physical and sexual) from her parents and uncle. Then it was all downhill until she came to Christ. What an inspiration she is!!!

Cincy Guy · 12-29-2010, 11:45 AM

Many of the details of Lauren's life after FKB are contained in her book, "Father Really Does Know Best" that came out a number of years ago.

I heard that she had been trying to get the part of "Lolita" in the 1962 film that went to Sue Lyon. It was said one of the things that worked against Lauren getting it was the public image she had from FKB.

Jude The Obscure · 12-29-2010, 12:53 PM

^I've read that book.......it was an eye opener for a then naive guy who didn't think such things went on in the TV world.

catlover79 · 12-29-2010, 01:33 PM

I've read that book, too - incredible stuff!!! Thank God she got through it.

old grouch · 12-29-2010, 02:45 PM

I also read Lauren's book a long time ago. Poor little Kitten. But her story has a happy ending and gives me hope for this world.

OH Nuts! · 12-29-2010, 07:29 PM

Glad Lauren was able to turn her life around and help others - she sounds like a lovely woman.

gidgetgrape · 12-30-2010, 02:55 PM

Best Wishes to Lauren! She was my favorite when I watched the reruns in the 1980s.

Does anyone know what happened to her website?

catlover79 · 12-31-2010, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gidgetgrape

Best Wishes to Lauren! She was my favorite when I watched the reruns in the 1980s.

Does anyone know what happened to her website?

I don't know, but she is on Facebook.

Retro4Life · 12-31-2010, 03:36 PM

Another example of a wide difference between the on screen image and the reality. Geez, the poor lady...I'm sure glad she's come out the other side alive and apparently healed in mind and body.

JerseyBounce · 07-28-2011, 07:35 AM

I met Lauren Chapin about 15 years ago, at a public signing. Larry Matthews and Butch Patrick were at the same event, but that's a story for another day.

She's an angel, pure and simple. She signed a copy of the picture at the top of the thread for me. We had a pleasant conversation.

She's an inspiration, indeed

ThomasE · 02-26-2012, 09:01 PM

Good for her. I'm glad. It's amazing.

12-28-2010, 11:48 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	The Rise & Fall & Rise of Lauren Chapin From 'Father Knows Best' Remember Kathy "Kitty" Anderson, the youngest daughter on Father Knows Best? Chapin played the role from 1954 until 1960 starting when she was just 9 years old. After the show she dropped out of high school and got married at 16. Separated 2 years later and divorced after 5 years, she started doing drugs at 18, becoming addicted to heroin. It took a year long stint in rehab to cure her. Two more marriages followed, both ended. She no longer acts and makes the occasional public appearance. While her acting career may have fizzled, she has found a new calling as a licensed and ordained Christian evangelist.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

12-29-2010, 12:58 AM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	I'm glad that Lauren has been able to put her drug addiction behind her and turn her life around. I hope and pray that she can use her calling as a Christian evangelist to help other people make similar changes to their lives.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

12-29-2010, 05:05 AM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Lauren friended me on Facebook. She is indeed a sweetheart - AND a survivor, who had to endure horrific abuse (both physical and sexual) from her parents and uncle. Then it was all downhill until she came to Christ. What an inspiration she is!!!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

12-31-2010, 03:36 PM	#11
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Another example of a wide difference between the on screen image and the reality. Geez, the poor lady...I'm sure glad she's come out the other side alive and apparently healed in mind and body.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

07-28-2011, 07:35 AM	#12
JerseyBounce Loyal Order of Raccoons Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 25, 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 14	I met Lauren Chapin about 15 years ago, at a public signing. Larry Matthews and Butch Patrick were at the same event, but that's a story for another day. She's an angel, pure and simple. She signed a copy of the picture at the top of the thread for me. We had a pleasant conversation. She's an inspiration, indeed
	__________________ You can lead a horse to water, but you can't look him in the mouth...

12-29-2010, 11:45 AM	#4
Cincy Guy Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 20, 2003 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 230	Many of the details of Lauren's life after FKB are contained in her book, "Father Really Does Know Best" that came out a number of years ago. I heard that she had been trying to get the part of "Lolita" in the 1962 film that went to Sue Lyon. It was said one of the things that worked against Lauren getting it was the public image she had from FKB.

12-29-2010, 12:53 PM	#5
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,519	^I've read that book.......it was an eye opener for a then naive guy who didn't think such things went on in the TV world.

12-29-2010, 01:33 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I've read that book, too - incredible stuff!!! Thank God she got through it.

12-29-2010, 02:45 PM	#7
old grouch Member Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2010 Location: montana Posts: 1,877	I also read Lauren's book a long time ago. Poor little Kitten. But her story has a happy ending and gives me hope for this world.

12-29-2010, 07:29 PM	#8
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Glad Lauren was able to turn her life around and help others - she sounds like a lovely woman.

12-30-2010, 02:55 PM	#9
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,503	Best Wishes to Lauren! She was my favorite when I watched the reruns in the 1980s. Does anyone know what happened to her website?

02-26-2012, 09:01 PM	#13
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	Good for her. I'm glad. It's amazing.
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