Who is Nancy McKeon?
American actress Nancy Justine McKeon was born in Westbury, New York State USA, on 4 April 1966, making Aries her zodiac sign. She’s had roles in close to 50 TV series and movies, but is probably still known best for portraying the lead character Jo Polniaczek in the critically acclaimed family comedy series “The Facts of Life”, which Howard Leeds and Dick Clair created, and which also starred Mindy Cohn, Kim Fields and Lisa Whelchel. It follows the life of housemother and dietitian Mrs Edna Garrett, the series aired from 1979 through 1988, and won six of its 23 award nominations.
Nancy’s still active in the film industry, although she’s had only two roles since 2010, appearing in the 2019 romantic movie “You Light Up My Christmas”, and six episodes of the 2021 crime adventure series “Panic”.
Education and early life
Nancy was raised in New York City alongside her brother Philip McKeon, by their mother Barbara McKeon who was a housewife, and father Donald McKeon who was a travel agent. Philip was a child actor and radio personality, who died aged 55 on 10 December 2019, following a long illness.
Nancy was only two when she was thrown into the entertainment industry, appearing in a commercial for Sears & Roebuck’s baby clothing. She was 11 when she made her debut TV series appearance, portraying Vikki Mayer in the 1977 episode “The Crying Child” of the crime action “Starsky and Hutch”.
Nancy studied at a Catholic school, and was, upon completing her elementary school education, tutored by professors at an on-set school; she hasn’t attended college.
Roles in TV series
The year 1978 saw Nancy play Ann in the episode “Return to Fantasy Island” of the family fantasy adventure “Fantasy Island”, and in 1979 and 1980, she played Jill Stone in the drama “Stone”, created by Richard Levinson, and which starred Dennis Weaver, Pat Hingle and Robert Weaver. It follows the life of Sergeant Daniel Stone who’s now also become a famous author; the series was nominated for only a single award.
Some of Nancy’s following roles were in an episode or two of the animated action adventure “Thundarr the Barbarian” (voice role), the comedy “Alice”, and the animated adventure comedy “ABC Weekend Specials” (voice role). She spent the ‘80s focused on shooting for “The Facts of Life”, and her next TV series role came in 1995, when cast to star as Annie O’Connell in the comedy “Can’t Hurry Love”, created by Gina Wendkos, and which also starred Mariska Hargitay and Louis Mandylor; it follows the lives of four friends from New York City.
From 2001 through 2004, Nancy played Inspector Jinny Exstead, one of the main characters in the crime mystery “The Division”, which Deborah Joy LeVine created, and which also starred Lisa Vidal and Bonnie Bedelia. It follows the lives of five female police officers, and the series won six of its 13 award nominations.
Nancy’s two most recent TV series roles, besides “Panic”, have been in the 2007 episode “Absalom” of the crime mystery “Without a Trace” and five episodes of the 2010 romantic family comedy “Sonny with a Chance”.
Roles in movies
Nancy made her debut film appearance in the 1978 drama “A Question of Love”, which Jerry Thorpe directed, and which starred Gena Rowlands, Jane Alexander and Ned Beatty; it follows a woman who’s being sued by her husband for their children’s custody, because she’s living with her girlfriend.
Some of Nancy’s following roles were in the 1979 crime drama “Stone”, the 1981 family sports drama “Please Don’t Hit Me, Mom”, and the 1982 romantic comedy “The Facts of Life Goes to Paris”.
The year 1986 saw her star as Cindy Fralick in the drama “Firefighter”, directed by Robert Michael Lewis, and which also starred Vincent Irizarry and Barry Corbin; it follows Cindy who wants to become the first female firefighter in Los Angeles. The remainder of the ‘80s saw Nancy appear in the comedy “The Facts of Life Down Under”, the 1987 drama “Strange Voices”, and the 1989 biographical crime drama “A Cry for Help: The Tracey Thurman Story”.
What marked the ‘90s for Nancy was perhaps her portrayal of the support character Bride in the romantic comedy “Just Write”, directed by Andrew Gallerani, and which starred Sherilyn Fenn, Jeremy Piven and JoBeth Williams. It follows a bus driver who’s pretending to be a screenwriter to impress an actress – the film won four awards.
Nancy’s three most recent movie roles, besides the above mentioned “You Light Up My Christmas”, have been in the 2004 action science fiction “Category 6: Day of Destruction”, the 2006 drama “Wild Hearts” and the 2010 romantic family western “Love Begins”.
Other credits
Nancy has four producing and two directing credits; some of her most notable producing work has been on the 1986 drama movie “Firefighter”, the 1987 drama film “Strange Voices”, and the 1999 short movie “A Wakening”.
Some of Nancy’s most recent talk-show and game-show appearances have been in “Home & Family”, “Dancing with the Stars” and “Good Morning America”.
Awards and nominations
Nancy’s won five of her 10 award nominations – three Young Artist Awards for Best Young Actress in 1983, for her performance in the series “The Facts of Life”, the movie “Please Don’t Hit Me, Mom” and another movie “The Facts of Life Goes to Paris”. Nancy also won two awards at the 2000 Marco Island Film Festival, for Best First Short Film and Best Short Drama, both for “A Wakening”.
Love life and relationships
Nancy’s been secretive about her love life since the launch of her career, but has still shared some details about it. She met famous Canadian-American activist and former actor Michael J. Fox while they were shooting together for the 1983 comedy movie “High School U. S. A.”, and they were then in a relationship for three years, including competing in the game-show “Tattletales” as a celebrity couple.
Nancy married American movie technician Marc Andrus in 2003, following an eight-year relationship; they met on the set of the 1995 movie “A Mother’s Gift”. Only 20 people attended the wedding, and Nancy gave birth to their first daughter Aurora on 6 March 2004, while their second daughter Harlow Andrus followed in December 2006; the family of four’s today living on a ranch not far from Austin, Texas.
Nancy’s yet to mention other men whom she’s maybe dated, she’s married to Marc Andrus as of April 2023, and they have two daughters together.
Interesting facts and hobbies
Nancy’s deeply religious, and while shooting for the series “The Facts of Life”, she and her parents were allowed a private audience with Pope John Paul II.
She was amongst the few actresses considered for the role of Monica in the critically acclaimed sitcom “Friends”; the role eventually went to Courteney Cox.
Nancy was cast to star in the 1990 comedy series “Working Girl”, but quit before she could start shooting; she was replaced by Sandra Bullock.
She was interested in martial arts while growing up, and practiced several styles during her teenage years.
Nancy’s followed by more than 100,000 people on Instagram, and has posted close to 200 pictures and videos onto the network, most of which feature her spending time with her pet dog Jet, travelling and showing off her drawings.
Her favorite actress is Julia Roberts, while some of Nancy’s favorite movies include “My Best Friend’s Wedding”, “The Pelican Brief” and “Steel Magnolias”.
Height, eyes and wealth
Nancy’s age is 57. She has green eyes and brown hair, is 5ft 6ins (1.68m) tall and weighs around 135lbs (61kgs).
Nancy’s net worth’s been estimated at over $2 million, as of April 2023.
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