They were in the opening credits!
George Burnett
George showed up one day looking for his Kuwait newspaper while the girls were looking for a contractor to remodel the shop into the new Over Our Heads. Too irrisponsible to get the job done, but he was a lot like an older brother's best friend and became a part of the Girls' Peekskill family.
"I took a date out to lunch today and everything was going great. Then I show her one of those calendars, you know, for laughs, [then] all afternoon she kept flippin' back to Mr. October."
My question is, why was George carrying around a calendar of naked men to begin with?! Although George's sexual orientation was most likely straight, there were some questionable glances. In reality, the actor is a supporter of Gay Rights. He is a humanitarian helping to raise funds for the victims of natural disasters and creating documentaries to raise awareness, such as for the Darfur Conflict. A member of the Council on Foreign Relations and has served as one of the United Nations Messengers of Peace.
His portrayer, Acadamy Award winner George Clooney, remained on the show for some time, until his character ran away with Cinnamon (played by Stacy Q) to be a roadie. The actor later found great success in such films as FROM DUSK TILL DAWN with another FOL alum, Juliette Lewis, and starring in the long running series, ER, which also had guest appearances from other FOL alum Charlotte Rae and Jami Gertz.
Kelly Affinado
Kelly came to the show as a shoplifter at Edna's Edibles, threatening Blair and taking "protection money" so she wouldn't smash all the windows. Jo became a role model for the young girl who later became a good friend to all the Girls. Pamela Adlon (then Segall) had previously appeared in GREASE 2 with Michelle Pfeiffer, who had appeared in ONE FINE DAY with another FOL alum, George Clooney. Pamela added her voice in WHAT'S NEW, SCOOBY-DOO? working again with Mindy Cohn who voiced Velma. Pamela's career has included voicing Bobby Hill in KING OF THE HILL and playing alongside David Duchovny in CALIFORNICATION.
The Singers
Cinnamon
"Is Cinnamon spelt with one 'N' or two?"... "THREE!!!" Stacey Q makes a couple of guest appearances on the show when Tootie meets Cinnamon at a Broadway audition. She later comes to Peekskill hiding from her newfound fame, recalling simple memories of childhood and the dinghy she had on her farm's lake. "You can take the girl out of the dinghy, but you can't take the dingy out of the girl!" Singing "Two of Hearts" and "We Connect" she leaves Peekskill taking George along with her. Check out her performances on Facts of Life through clips on YouTube.
El Debarge
El Debarge of "Rhythm of the Night" fame, played himself when the Girls entered a teen magazine music competition where they sang backup for him, singing "You Wear it Well".
Jermaine Jackson
When Tootie, of the Eastland branch of the Jermaine Jackson fanclub, gets free tickets to his concert she goes fanatical and demands to go no matter what when she is told she can't go due to other obligations. Jermaine, who plays himself in this episode, is best known as a member of THE JACKSON 5 with younger brother, Michael Jackson. His sister, Janet Jackson, appears for a few episodes as Willis Jackson Drummond's girlfriend, Charlene DuPrey, on Diff'rent Strokes, the parent show of FOL.
Art Jackson
A jazz singer with a destinguished career now working as a waiter at a resort where Natalie and Tootie work for the summer, played by Bill Henderson. Bill is a familiar face to CLUE movie fans as the Cop. He later goes on to guest star in shows like MacGyver and MAD ABOUT YOU with other FOL alum, Richard Dean Anderson and Helen Hunt, respectively.
Charo
In a strange dream-like episode while Natalie is writing at a truckstop, Charo, playing herself, suddenly shows up to do a conga line.
College Life
Boots St. Claire
Jami Gertz is best known for her role as Starr in THE LOST BOYS, but before that she was a Sorority girl who went to Langley College with Jo and Blair. Jami is also featured in TWISTER with Helen Hunt (who plays an Eastland Girl in the first season).
Kristen Morgan
When Tootie pledges a sorority her friendships are put to the test by Kristen. Penelope Ann Miller would go on to play Brenda in ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING, and alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in KINDERGARTEN COP.
We Were Here Too!
Brian Parker
Seen only in one episode that was meant to be a back door pilot, Brian was married to Tootie's cousin, Sylvia. The character was not related to Molly Parker, or Headmaster Mr. Parker. The actor, Richard Dean Anderson, went on to MacGyver and STARGATE fame.
Father Donovan
John Ingle appears as a customer at Edna's Edibles. He later plays another minister years later on DEATH BECOMES HER with Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn. He is also known for roles like Principal Gowan in HEATHERS (which had Shannen Doherty who does a cameo in NOWHERE. Charlotte Rae, and another FOL alum, Eve Plumb, also have cameos in NOWHERE.) During his long career he was a staple of GENERAL HOSPITAL and was also on DAYS OF OUR LIVES for a short time.
Countess Calvet
When Blair started selling Countess Calvet Cosmetics around campus she was thrilled when she discovered the Countess herself, played by famed Zsa Zsa Gabor, was coming to pay her a visit. Zsa Zsa also makes a cameo in A VERY BRADY SEQUEL (another Brady connection as Eve Plum also appeared on FOL).
Scott
In what could have become a FOL spinoff, David Spade plays Scott, a med student living in a New York loft with three other room mates, including one played by Richard Grieco of 21 Jump Street fame. Natalie goes to the city and stays with them for a weekend, deciding she is ready to finally leave Peekskill after nine years, she moves in with them to take a bite of the Big Apple. David Spade is best known for his work on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE and in feature films staring various SNL co-stars. He has a cameo in A VERY BRADY SEQUEL as does another FOL alum, Zsa Zsa Gabor, who also had a cameo in the film.
Belinda
When George goes to his high school reunion, he gets one of the girls to be his date to make his high school flame jealous. Liz Keifer guested on various shows including Days of Our Lives, and on 21 Jump Street working with Peter DeLuise who himself had guested on Facts.
Fielding
Peter DeLuise would also work with another FOL alum, Jami Gertz, in the feature sci-fi film SOLARBABIES. He would go on to play Officer Penhall on 21 Jump Street and become heavily involved in the STARGATE universe, acting, directing, and writing.
Dina Becker
Blair's high society friend from New York, played by Dana Kimmell. Dana guest starred in a handful of shows like CHARLIE'S ANGELS, DIFF'RENT STROKES, DAYS OF OUR LIVES, HAPPY DAYS, and in the feature film FRIDAY THE 13th PART III as Chris Higgins.
Jesse
Jo's best friend from the Bronx, played by Alexa Kenin. Alexa played Dana in LITTLE DARLINGS, a movie that would become the inspiration for season two's retooling and the introduction of Jo. Another FOL connection she would have is when she plays alongside Molly Ringwald in PRETTY IN PINK as Jena Hoeman.
Sgt Evans
When Natalie suddenly finds herself in the Army while tracking down a story, he is the first commanding officer she reports too. Dennis Haysbert has played a soldier type role many times in his career, including MAGNUM P.I., 24, JARHEAD, KUNG FU PANDA 2, THE UNIT, and WRECK-IT RALPH. In WIDOW'S KISS he stars with FOL regular, McKenzie Astin, and with Beverly D'Angelo who appeared in HAIR and NOWHERE as did Charlotte Rae.
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