'The Facts of Life': Where Are They Now?

Charlotte Rae (Edna Garrett)
As the lovable, but sassy, housekeeper Mrs. Edna Garrett on "Diff'rent Strokes," Charlotte Rae was introduced to a whole new generation of entertainment fans. So it wasn't a shock that she'd be the star of the series' spinoff.

Rae was clearly the veteran actor on "The Facts of Life." As the show's young stars skyrocketed to success, everyone's favorite house matron had to take a back seat to these popular young ... more 

Charlotte Rae (Edna Garrett)
As the lovable, but sassy, housekeeper Mrs. Edna Garrett on "Diff'rent Strokes," Charlotte Rae was introduced to a whole new generation of entertainment fans. So it wasn't a shock that she'd be the star of the series' spinoff.

Rae was clearly the veteran actor on "The Facts of Life." As the show's young stars skyrocketed to success, everyone's favorite house matron had to take a back seat to these popular young actresses. Even a primetime Emmy nomination couldn't keep the Edna in Edna's Edibles. As Season 8 began, Rae made a graceful exit, handing the mother-figure reigns over to Cloris Leachman.

After "Facts," Rae never signed on to a live-action series for the long haul again, but she did voice the Nanny in 43 episodes of "101 Dalmatians: The Series." Instead, she went on to a string of guest spots on shows like "Diagnosis Murder," "The King of Queens," and "ER." She's also dabbled in theater and in film, most famously playing Adam Sandler's fling in "You Don't Mess With the Zohan." And at the age of 86, Rae is still at it; she's got a part in the upcoming film "Happy and Bleeding." less