This '80s Actress Fought Cancer Valiantly After Trading Fame For The Farm Life & Looks ‘Phenomenal’ At 58

Nov 13, 2024

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Have you ever wondered where some of your favorite sitcom stars ended up after the show came to a close? Many of these actors and actresses were lucky enough to continue on their path to stardom and find more fame before settling down to start a beautiful family. However, some people had a more difficult path.

Mindy Cohn is an actress who first rose to fame in the role of Natalie Green on the sitcom “The Facts of Life.” The show aired from 1979 to 1988, making it one of the longest-running sitcoms during the 1980s. It was loved by fans and featured many great actors and actresses, including Molly Ringwald, George Clooney, Charlotte Rae, Julie Anne Haddock, and many more. The show delved into complex topics, like friendship, coming of age, and handling adversity, making it an incredibly earnest and popular series.

While Cohn played a memorable character in the sitcom, she also showcased her talents in other works. The actress went on to voice the character of Velma Dinkley in the “Scooby-Doo” franchise from 2002 to 2015.

Outside of Cohn’s professional career, she went through ups and downs in her personal life. She has never been married and doesn’t have any children. The actress also was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 before fortunately declaring that she was cancer-free five years later.

Cohn fought her cancer courageously with the help of staying away from the busy life of Hollywood. She found solace in a farmhouse by some of her closest friends, which turned into family. Keep reading to learn more about Cohn and what she has been up to since. 

Cohn was born in Los Angeles, California, on May 20, 1966. She was initially discovered by Rae while she and the producers from “The Facts of Life” visited Cohn’s school for research purposes. Cohn was cast in the role of Natalie Green and portrayed the character for nine years.

“It seemed that Charlotte Rae had fallen madly in love with me, in part because I reminded her of her best childhood friend Natalie – and I was irrepressible, charming and hilarious,” Cohn said.

Along with this, Cohn appeared in several other popular TV shows and films, including “Charles in Charge,” “The Boy Who Could Fly” and “21 Jump Street.” She also voiced the character of Velma in the “Scooby-Doo” franchise for several years.

Writing for the HuffPost in 2013, Cohn talked about her successful career and her life since her sitcom days. “If the Guinness Book of World Records had a category for the celebrity who’s turned down the most reality shows, you’d find my picture there,” she said. Cohn added:

“Gratefully, I have been able to support myself (in a style to which I have become accustomed) by acting. While nothing I have done has reached the popularity of ‘The Facts of Life,’ I have continued to work with some of the most talented people.”

The actress also shared that she was single, never married and had no children. She elaborated:

“Sure I want a husband, kids – a family of my own. I always have. But as my childhood friends were getting married and I wasn’t, I glamorized this situation a la Katherine Hepburn, as ‘I was married to my career.’ Now, as I look at all my gorgeous, successful, famous friends who have all those things ... I feel pretty good!”

When she wrote this piece for HuffPost, Cohn was going through a difficult period regarding her health. 

“I was walking around my neighborhood in Los Angeles and I suddenly got so tired,” she recalled to PEOPLE. “I just couldn’t go anymore. This was before Uber was really a thing, so I texted my friend Helen Hunt and said, ‘Something’s wrong with me. I need help.’”

The actress was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 but kept it a “secret for a long time.” Cohn underwent a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. She announced she was cancer-free in 2017.

Cohn shared the news with PEOPLE while giving the magazine a tour of a farmhouse, seated on a 60-acre property with 113 goats, a chicken coop, a vegetable garden and a pond.

“I knew it was important to come here,” the actress said. “I could get away from everything going on in LA and just focus on getting better. This was my spot. And I think I was able to heal here, because it was away from everything.”

Cohn’s friends, Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Dr. Brent Ridge own the property. She referred to them as her “family by choice” and her “family forever.”

Cohn has overcome a lot and appears to be enjoying a simpler life while still having an optimistic outlook on her future. She said:

“I’m feeling great. And I’m so ready to get back to working. I think I’m a good actress, and I have a lot to offer. I’m excited to see what I get to do next!”

Kilmer-Purcell and Ridge’s farmhouse served as a place for Cohn’s healing – a place where she admitted that it took her mind off her busy life in Los Angeles. According to Kilmer-Purcell, Cohn felt very at home in their place. 

“She’d put on an apron and pick up a broom,” Kilmer-Purcel recalled to PEOPLE. “She’d stock shelves. She’d go out and feed the chickens on the farm. She liked to keep busy.”

Besides living in normalcy and a rural household, Cohn claimed that the Beekman work ethic helped her take her mind off her diagnosis.

“It was an honor to be there for her,” Ridge said about their relationship with Cohn. “I think our friendship grew deeper as she was fighting cancer because she was able to allow herself to lean on us sometimes. Relationships grow deeper when you can depend on each other.”

On Sept. 19, 2024, Cohn shared an adorable photo of herself on Instagram where she was smiling while holding a cake with a message that said “Letting Go.” In the caption, it seemed like she was teasing a new project as she captioned the post: “meet Angie Hartman” along with a camera emoji. 

Her curious followers and fans flocked to the comments, asking when they would see her again. Some praised her for looking great and beautiful in the photo.  

“When and where is the movie coming out? Just saw you in the facts of life Christmas episode. Elf Natalie is EVERYTHING! 🥳🎄🎁😄,” one fan commented. 

“You look great in everything! I hope you’re enjoying whatever you’re doing❤️,” another wrote. 

“Cake!!! We all need more cake !!! Looking gorgeous my dear!!!! 🔥🔥,” one said. 

“Wowwe you look phenomenal.. what is your secret!” a third person commented.

Are you a fan of Mindy Cohn? What can you say about her determination to fight her diagnosis? Isn’t she looking great now? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other Mindy Cohn fans out there!