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.”
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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.
With her health restored, Cohn returned to Hollywood and became more active on Twitter and Instagram, eager to reconnect with her audience
In 2017, she looked forward to taking on fresh and exciting acting roles, saying, “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.”
Cohn’s battle with cancer revealed the depth of her lifelong friendships. Despite the hardships, she remains grateful for the unwavering support of those who helped her through the toughest times.
At 58, the TV star remains unmarried and without children, a reality she once embraced by dedicating herself fully to her career. Reflecting on her life, she feels content seeing her friends’ families while appreciating the close relationships she’s cultivated.
Though open to finding a husband, Cohn feels far from alone, surrounded by a strong support network filled with people she loves, whom she can both support and lean on when needed.
In a candid interview before her 58th birthday, the public figure also shared her pride in aging gracefully, feeling more attractive now than in her younger years. She finds it freeing not to have been defined by conventional beauty, unlike some friends who now struggle with getting older.
Embracing her role as a character actor, Cohn believes in honoring her age naturally, and whenever tempted by cosmetic fixes, she humorously sings “Let It Go” from the animated film “Frozen,” with her best friend.
As she approaches her sixties, Mindy Cohn is living life on her own terms, surrounded by friends, embracing her passions, and excited for what’s next. Her journey shows that strength, love, and a sense of humor are often the best guides through life’s toughest challenges—and the key to enjoying every new chapter.
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