Beloved Charlotte Rae From TV's 'Facts Of Life' And 'Diff'rent Strokes' Dies At 92

Aug 09, 2018 by apost team

Fans old enough remember her as the incredible and funny Mrs. Garrett on television hits "Facts Of Life" and "Diff'rent Strokes." News reports say that Rae was fighting bone cancer and lost her battle on August 5, 2018. She was courageous and tough, having survived another cancer fight seven years ago. Rae was receiving chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer. The odds were challenging as she lost her mother, sister and uncle from the disease, but six months after chemo, she was cancer-free.

At 91, the disease returned in the form of bone cancer. The fearless star announced that she felt terrific, and it was her choice whether she would even seek medical treatment.

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Her loss is felt globally, and today, people continue to celebrate the woman who had brought delightful characters and acting to so many for decades. Charlotte Rae had a long, successful Hollywood career. She began in radio and theater, but television made her a household name.

The sit-com "Diff'rent Strokes" was a wonderful acting vehicle for Rae. She played the role of Mrs. Edna Garrett, the sweet housekeeper with the bright red hair. That led to "Facts Of Life," her starring role from 1979–1986. It was the spin-off hit. She played the housemother to a group of private school girls (Tootie, Blair, Jo and Natalie). Even hunky George Clooney appeared in a couple of later episodes as a handyman.

When Charlotte Rae left the show, actress Cloris Leachman took her role as the housemother and her television sister. Rae didn't retire but appeared in more TV shows and movies. Some of them included "ER," "Sisters," "The King Of Queens" and "Pretty Little Liars." On the silver screen, she had parts in "Tom And Jerry: The Movie" and "Don't Mess With The Zohan" with Adam Sandler. Earlier, Rae was nominated for two Tony awards for her Broadway roles.

In 2011, Charlotte Rae received a Pop Icon award for her beloved character on the "Facts Of Life." She released a telling memoir in 2015, revealing her 44 years of sobriety. In addition, she wrote about being married to John Strauss for 25 years until he came out as bisexual in 1976. The divorced couple had two sons, Larry and Andrew. Larry had made the announcement of her passing to NBC News, saying his mother died peacefully at her L.A. area home, surrounded by family.

It's time to honor lovely Charlotte Rae's memory, so keep this amazing story alive for others to learn about her.

Do you remember Mrs. Garrett on TV? If you do, make sure to spread the word so she is never truly forgotten and tell us your funny memories in the comment section!