Surprising Stories from the Set of The Facts of Life

During the sixth and seventh seasons of The Facts of Life, Charlotte Rae missed several episodes due to ongoing health problems. Her reduced presence was noticeable, especially since Mrs. Garrett had long been the show’s emotional anchor.

Unfortunately, those health challenges ultimately led Rae to leave the series at the end of the seventh season. The decision wasn’t creative — it was personal and necessary. Her exit marked the end of an era, as Mrs. Garrett had helped guide both the characters and the audience through the show’s formative years.