Mrs. Garrett moves on...

kadeliah · 04-02-2008, 08:53 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

FactsFan · 04-02-2008, 09:01 PM

That is a great article. Thanks for posting it!

I Love Lamp · 04-02-2008, 09:06 PM

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

PlayOn · 04-02-2008, 09:21 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, 09:27 PM

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

FOL85NatandMrsGRock · 04-04-2008, 06:44 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, 11:13 AM

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.

pfeifferobsessed · 04-04-2008, 03:57 PM

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

Jo/Blair Fan · 04-04-2008, 05:24 PM

Thanks for posting that, I enjoyed it!

Shine · 04-04-2008, 11:17 PM

Great article.

Thank you for sharing it with us.

04-02-2008, 08:53 PM	#1
kadeliah Frequent Poster silent dreamer Join Date: Aug 23, 2003 Location: maryland Posts: 152	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 __________________ visit me @ http://ashley-judd.com

04-02-2008, 09:21 PM	#4
PlayOn Senior Member Merry CHRISTmas Join Date: Jun 17, 2006 Location: I'll never tell. :p Posts: 2,229	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. __________________ Play on when you're losing the game. Play on cause you're gonna make mistakes. It's always worth the sacrifice even when you think you're wrong. So, play on. Play on. -Carrie Underwood. 'Play On'. From her CD 'Play On' in stores now!

04-04-2008, 06:44 AM	#6
FOL85NatandMrsGRock Senior Member The Lovable Sarah 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: 1,686	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, 05:24 PM	#10
Jo/Blair Fan Moderator Facts of Life Join Date: Oct 30, 2004 Location: Eastland School For Girls with Jo, Blair, Natalie, Tootie and Mrs. Garrett Posts: 5,636	Thanks for posting that, I enjoyed it! __________________ Jo: Your born, you live, you die, that's life Jo: Oh no Tootie, I hate teaching people how to drive... They're always nervous, they make stupied mistakes, and they cry when you slap them. Blair: I just had another one of my brilliant ideas! Jo: So eat your heart out, and dont forget to put ketchup on it! Mimi: She just walked right up to him and said, "I'm more of a man than you'll ever be. I'm more of a woman than you'll ever get."

04-04-2008, 11:17 PM	#11
Shine Forum Veteran 12/08/80: day the dream died Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: IL Posts: 22,177	Great article. Thank you for sharing it with us. __________________ "You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will live as one" John Winston Lennon 1940-1980

04-02-2008, 09:01 PM	#2
FactsFan Senior Member Member Join Date: Nov 14, 2000 Location: I don't know...I'm probably lost! Posts: 3,314	That is a great article. Thanks for posting it!

04-02-2008, 09:06 PM	#3
I Love Lamp Forum Regular Member Join Date: Jan 10, 2007 Location: US Posts: 263	It's nice she still acts, and stays in touch with the girls.

04-02-2008, 09:27 PM	#5
pfeifferobsessed Forum Regular Member Join Date: Feb 24, 2008 Location: Oh, how I wish I lived in Peekskill Posts: 673	charlotte is awesome!!! its great that shes gonna make a cameo in an adam sandler movie!

04-04-2008, 11:13 AM	#7
Robert 13 Senior Member Member Join Date: May 10, 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,125	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, 03:57 PM	#9
pfeifferobsessed Forum Regular Member Join Date: Feb 24, 2008 Location: Oh, how I wish I lived in Peekskill Posts: 673	the first two eps of the 8th season were her last!

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