This veteran star may have never planned on becoming an actress, but a chance role on a hit TV show changed everything. Now, in her late fifties, she’s overcome incredible challenges and is thriving more than ever—here’s a glimpse into her inspiring journey and how she’s doing today.
Famed for her role as Natalie Green on “The Facts of Life” (1979–1988), this actress was discovered as a teenager. After facing serious health struggles years later, she had to leave Hollywood but, at 58, is now flourishing once more.
Reflecting on her early years in a 2013 HuffPost article, the celebrity wrote, “Have I said anything at all about performing, or wanting to be an actress? No, sir.”
The actress further explained, “If you had asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I probably would’ve said a doctor because I wanted to help people and I have a knack for doing just that.”
She recalled how her journey to stardom happened entirely by chance. In the summer of 1979, just before starting ninth grade, she was called out of her class along with some classmates to meet with TV producers working on a new sitcom set in an all-girls school.
Initially, it was just a way to skip class and enjoy free doughnuts. However, to her surprise, the next day, the future actress was summoned to the headmaster’s office again.
Charlotte Rae, the seasoned actress on the project, had been captivated by her—finding her “irresistible, charming, and hilarious.” Rae even suggested a role be created just for the high schooler, sparking the unexpected start of her acting career.
Following her unexpected breakthrough, the California native continued to stay active in the entertainment industry well beyond her “Facts of Life” years. Alongside numerous on-screen appearances, she also voiced Velma in the “What’s New, Scooby-Doo?” reboot for over a decade.
Despite a thriving career, her world was abruptly turned upside down one morning in 2012. While taking a walk in her neighborhood, Mindy Cohn suddenly felt too exhausted to continue.
Concerned, she reached out to her friend Helen Hunt for help. A doctor’s visit soon followed, where a scan revealed a troubling find. After a biopsy, the veteran star received devastating news, “It was breast cancer,” she divulged, noting, “I kept that secret for a long time.”
The following five years became what she called a “siege,” as she faced a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation—tests of endurance that wore down her usual optimism. Known for her steady presence, Cohn admitted that the recurring cancer, which had metastasized, left her feeling frustrated and powerless.
“I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, and then it would. And then I’d wait for another shoe to drop, and it would. […] I couldn’t control any of this. I couldn’t fix it,” she expressed in a candid interview.
Seeking recovery after her diagnosis, Cohn chose to leave Hollywood and embrace the quiet life of the countryside. She found solace with close friends Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Dr. Brent Ridge, stars of the reality show “The Fabulous Beekman Boys.”
Their serene 60-acre farm near Sharon Springs, New York, provided her with a peaceful retreat for healing, and she came to see them as a chosen family—a sentiment Ridge wholeheartedly shares, and would remain a lasting part of her life.
Life on the duo’s farm kept her engaged, and she embraced the routine with enthusiasm. Cohn often helped with daily tasks, from stocking shelves to feeding chickens and even tending to the farm’s 113 goats.
Kilmer-Purcell recalled how she’d put on an apron and get to work, while Ridge would often look out to find her busy in the garden. She found comfort in staying active and contributing to the farm’s upkeep.
By 2017, Cohn was reported cancer-free and expressed deep gratitude for the unwavering support of her parents, who stood by her throughout her recovery. She considered herself fortunate not only for their steadfast love but also for the close friends who rallied around her when she needed them most.