Kristy McNichol (born Christina Ann McNichol on September 11, 1962) is an American actress, most known for her role as Letitia "Buddy" Lawrence on the drama Family, which she played from 1976 to 1980.

She began her career with guest appearances on such series as Starsky and Hutch and The Bionic Woman. Her first stint as a series regular came with the role of Patricia Apple in Apple's Way in 1974.

In 1976, she was cast as Buddy in Family, for which the actress earned Emmy Awards for Best Supporting Actress in a Dramatic Series in 1976 and 1978. In 1988, she started playing the character of Barbara Weston on Empty Nest, but had to leave in 1992 when she was diagnosed with manic depression.

McNichol's feature film credits include Only When I Laugh, Little Darlings, White Dog , and The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia .

Kristy McNichol is host of the annual "Kristy McNichol Celebrity Tennis Tournament," benefitting the H.E.L.P. group for abused children in Los Angeles.

External link