Kristy McNichol has an estimated net worth of around $7 million. She is a former actress who gained significant fame in the 1970s and 1980s.
Kristy McNichol is an American actress who was a famous child star in the 1970s and 1980s. She is best known for her roles in shows like Family and Empty Nest, for which she won two Emmy awards. Although she retired from acting in 2001, McNichol amassed significant wealth and success during her decades-long career.
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Kristy McNichol Net Worth
Kristy McNichol accumulated a substantial net worth of $7 million as a childhood star and acclaimed television actress. She earned a sizable income starting from her early commercial and television work. For example, she was making an estimated $100,000 per episode by the end of her time on Family.
McNichol also likely earned sizable paychecks for her roles in theatrical films like Little Darlings and Only When I Laugh. While concrete figures are not available, these could have brought in hundreds of thousands or more based on typical pay at the time. Her Emmy awards would also have translated into new opportunities and higher paychecks.
Early Life and Education
Kristy McNichol was born in 1962 in Los Angeles, California. Her father was a carpenter, and her mother worked odd jobs to support McNichol’s early foray into acting. She began appearing in commercials when she was just 3 years old. By age 8, she was appearing in television shows and found consistent work acting through the rest of her childhood.
McNichol studied at a public high school in Los Angeles when her schedule allowed. She had to shift between traditional school and working with studio tutors when she was filming movies or shows. Due to her focus on her acting career, McNichol never attended college.
Acting Career
McNichol’s first significant role was in the 1977 ABC sitcom Family. She played Letitia “Buddy” Lawrence, the daughter of the show’s protagonist. McNichol quickly became a fan favorite and earned a Best Supporting Actress Emmy award in 1977 and 1979 for her performance on the show. She continued in the role until the show ended in 1980.
After Family, McNichol transitioned into adult roles, most notably in the show Empty Nest. She played Barbara Weston from 1988 to 1992, winning another Emmy award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 1989. She also appeared in a number of successful television movies and theatrical films like Little Darlings, Only When I Laugh, and Just the Way You Are.
By the early 1990s, McNichol was struggling with anxiety issues. She retired from acting in 2001 after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Business Ventures and Advocacy
While McNichol stepped back from acting, she has remained involved in entertainment business ventures and advocacy work. She partnered with her brother to start a production company focused on creating family films. McNichol has also served as a spokesperson for anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder awareness.
Although she lived very frugally, even at the height of her acting career, McNichol earned a significant net worth through childhood acting roles, lucrative contracts, awards, and residuals. While her exact net worth is not publicly reported, it is estimated to be around $7 million.
Notable Film And Television Projects
Kristy McNichol has made significant contributions to the film industry with her dynamic roles. Her acting prowess was first showcased in the critically acclaimed movie “Little Darlings,” positioning her as a versatile actress.
Another notable project includes the drama “Family,” which not only highlighted her emotional depth but also her ability to connect with audiences.
On television, McNichol’s memorable performances span across several successful series. “Empty Nest” allowed her to demonstrate a lighter comedic side, while her role in the series “Family” earned her two Emmy Awards, cementing her status as a respected TV actress.
Source of Income
McNichol earned money from television commercial appearances. By age 8, she was making guest appearances on dramatic series, which likely earned her several thousand dollars per role. Her breakout role came in 1977 with the sitcom Family, for which she likely earned at least $50,000 per episode. At its peak, she may have made up to $100,000.
McNichol also starred in numerous made-for-TV movies in the late 1970s and early 1980s, which could have earned paydays ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 each.
Her theatrical movie roles, such as Little Darlings and Just the Way You Are, also may have brought in between $500,000 and $1.5 million, depending on her contract. While hard figures are not available, these projects expanded her income sources beyond Family.
Earnings and Salary
McNichol booked numerous commercials that may have earned anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands each. By the late 1970s, she was earning an estimated $50,000 per episode for the breakout sitcom Family. After becoming a household name, her pay may have doubled to $100,000 by the end of the show’s run.
For starring roles in made-for-TV movies, McNichol could command between $100,000 on the lower end up to $500,000 for prestige projects. Her theatrical film work could have garnered paydays ranging from a few hundred thousand to even seven digits, depending on her contract and the film’s budget. These movies provided a chance for even higher earnings beyond her steady television income.
Contributions And Advocacy
Kristy McNichol has found new purposes in entertainment production, mental health advocacy, and charitable contributions.
Along with her brother Jimmy, McNichol launched her own production company in the early 2000s after stepping back as a performer. The company focuses on developing family-friendly films and television movies. That allows McNichol to draw on her decades of industry experience behind the scenes.
She also serves as a public speaker and spokesperson for several non-profit organizations supporting mental health awareness. Drawing from her struggles with bipolar disorder and anxiety, McNichol contributes to campaigns to expand resources and reduce stigma.
Personal Life and Relationships
McNichol was linked romantically to a few of her co-stars in tabloid speculations. However, she entered a public, confirmed relationship in the late 1980s. From 1988-1991, she dated actor Christopher Atkins after working with him on some made-for-TV movies. The relationship seemed severe, but the two never married.
As she continued battling anxious depression, McNichol retreated entirely from Hollywood in 2001. That same year, she publicly came out as a lesbian and revealed her partnership with Martie Allen. Also a former child actress, Allen retired from performing to become a yoga instructor. She and McNichol have been together for over 30 years but keep details of their relationship intensely private.
FAQs on Kristy Mcnichol Net Worth
Why did Kristy McNichol retire from acting?
Kristy McNichol retired from acting in 2001 at the relatively young age of 39. She cited her struggles with anxiety and bipolar disorder as the reason she stepped back from Hollywood.
Is Kristy McNichol married?
Kristy McNichol has been in a long-term relationship with Martie Allen for over 30 years. McNichol has never publicly confirmed being married. She values her privacy too much to share many personal details. But though not legally married, McNichol and Allen have been domestic partners since the early 1990s.
What is Kristy McNichol doing now?
Though no longer acting, McNichol has not entirely left the entertainment industry. She runs her own production company with her brother, Jimmy, specializing in family films.
What was Kristy McNichol’s most famous role?
McNichol’s most famous acting role was “Buddy” Lawrence on the late 1970s ABC sitcom Family. As the likable daughter of the show’s protagonist, she became a hugely popular child star and even won two Emmy awards for the part.
Bottom Line
Kristy McNichol built an impressive acting career starting as a young child in the 1970s. Her acclaimed performances in shows like Family and Empty Nest, along with film roles and awards, allowed her to accrue a substantial net worth and legacy in the entertainment industry.
Although she retired early from acting, she continues to utilize her profile to advance mental health awareness and contribute behind the scenes in the business.
McNichol serves as an inspiration both for child actors and for those overcoming personal obstacles to find new purposes.
