NEED TO KNOW
- One Day at a Time first hit tv screens 50 years in the past on Dec. 16, 1975
- The CBS sitcom starred Bonnie Franklin, Mackenzie Phillips and Valerie Bertinelli as a household of three
- The collection additionally starred Pat Harrington Jr., Richard Masur, Ron Rifkin, Glenn Scarpelli, Michael Lembeck and Boyd Gaines
It has been 50 years since One Day at a Time took over tv screens!
The hit CBS sitcom, which premiered on Dec. 16, 1975, adopted divorced single mom Ann Romano (Bonnie Franklin) as she navigated life along with her two teenage daughters, Julie (Mackenzie Phillips) and Barbara (Valerie Bertinelli).
Because the collection performed out, it showcased the household of three’s relationships with Dwayne Schneider (Pat Harrington Jr.), David Kane (Richard Masur) and Nick (Ron Rifkin). The present additionally featured Glenn Scarpelli as Alex Handris, Michael Lembeck as Max Horvath and Boyd Gaines as Mark Royer.
5 many years after the collection premiered, it has remained a staple that most of the forged members keep in mind fondly.
This is every thing to learn about the place the forged of One Day at a Time is now, 50 years after its premiere.
Bonnie Franklin as Ann Romano-Royer
Franklin had been performing ever since she was a toddler and appeared in a number of tv reveals in her early years, however her breakout function was Ann Romano-Royer on One Day at a Time.
The actress was nominated for an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of the divorced working mom, which was a extra novel idea on the time. In 2012, Franklin and different main stars accepted the Innovators Award from TV Land.
After One Day at a Time led to 1984, Franklin pursued a profession in musical theater. She additionally sometimes acted in varied TV reveals, together with Bertinelli’s Sizzling in Cleveland.
As for her private life, Franklin was married to movie producer Marvin Minoff till his dying in 2009, and he or she helped elevate two stepchildren. In September 2012, a spokesperson for Franklin introduced that she had been identified with pancreatic most cancers. Franklin died on March 1, 2013, at 69 years previous.
A number of of the One Day at a Time forged members publicly mourned Franklin’s dying.
“My coronary heart is breaking,” Bertinelli mentioned in a press release on the time. “Bonnie has all the time been one of the vital necessary girls in my life and was a second mom to me. She taught me how one can navigate this enterprise and life itself with grace and humor, and to all the time be true to myself. I’ll miss her terribly.”
Mackenzie Phillips as Julie Cooper Horvath
When One Day at a Time premiered in 1975, Phillips had already made a reputation for herself as a younger actor in Hollywood along with her function within the 1973 movie American Graffiti.
She continued rising to stardom when she portrayed the elder daughter, Julie Cooper, on the CBS sitcom. Nonetheless, her time on the collection was restricted, as she struggled with drug and alcohol abuse across the third season in 1977. Phillips was reduce from the collection in 1980 however briefly returned the next yr.
Phillips entered a number of rehabilitation facilities for therapy following psychological well being struggles and near-fatal overdoses. She has been open about her previous drug and alcohol abuse whereas additionally sharing private revelations in her two memoirs: Excessive on Arrival and Hopeful Therapeutic: Essays on Managing Restoration and Surviving Habit.
“I do not let my previous outline me,” she advised ipromiseyoumedia in 2017. “Despite the fact that I skilled my share of trauma and a really public meltdown, I can maintain my head excessive as a result of my restoration is the most effective factor I’ve ever finished, other than being a mother.”
After looking for therapy for her habit, Phillips continued performing and appeared in reveals like ER, seventh Heaven, Orange Is the New Black and Beverly Hills, 90210. Along with performing, Phillips has additionally devoted her life to serving to others and commenced working as a drug rehab counselor in 2016.
Phillips is a mother to 1 son, Shane Barakan.
Valerie Bertinelli as Barbara Cooper Royer
Bertinelli was simply 15 years previous when she had her main breakthrough as youthful daughter Barbara Cooper on One Day at a Time. Bertinelli went on to win two Golden Globe awards for her portrayal of Barbara and infrequently credit the present for launching her decades-long profession in performing.
“I keep in mind being 15, standing on the condominium door, and actually pondering, at 15 years previous, ‘That is gonna change my life,’ ” Bertinelli advised Leisure Weekly in February 2025. “I do not know the way I knew that then, however I may really feel it. I want I’d really feel these emotions extra.”
Her function on One Day at a Time was only the start for Bertinelli, as she continued performing in a number of TV reveals and flicks over the subsequent 50 years — together with Sydney, Touched by an Angel and Sizzling in Cleveland.
In 2012, she acquired a star on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame. A couple of years later, she pivoted her profession towards cooking reveals and hosted Valerie’s Residence Cooking and Youngsters Baking Championship for years on the Meals Community. Most just lately, Bertinelli has turn into a staple on The Drew Barrymore Present as a life-style correspondent, which she advised ipromiseyoumedia she “loves” doing.
As for her private life, Bertinelli was beforehand married to the late Eddie Van Halen from 1981 to 2001, throughout which era they welcomed son Wolfgang. She moved on with Tom Vitale and married him in 2011, however they separated in 2021. Bertinelli was final in a 10-month relationship with Mike Goodnough, however they break up in November 2024.
Pat Harrington Jr. as Dwayne F. Schneider
Harrington turned an prompt fan favourite forged member along with his portrayal of the household’s constructing’s superintendent, Dwayne, on One Day at a Time. Harrington was one of many few actors to look in all 9 seasons and gained each an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his function.
Previous to his half on One Day at a Time, Harrington was a widely known comic as a member of Steve Allen’s group, “Males on the Avenue,” which additionally included Don Knotts, Tom Poston and Louis Nye.
After the hit sitcom wrapped, Harrington made his Broadway debut in Happiness Is Only a Little Factor Known as a Rolls Royce and appeared in different productions over time, as nicely. He went on to reunite with Bertinelli in Sydney and Sizzling in Cleveland in 2012, which marked his remaining performing credit score.
Harrington had 4 youngsters along with his ex-wife, Marjorie Ann Gortner, and later married Sally Cleaver in 2001. In 2012, Harrington was identified with Alzheimer’s illness. On Jan. 6, 2016, he died from issues of the illness. He was 86.
Glenn Scarpelli as Alex Handris
Scarpelli’s character, Alex Handris, modified the dynamic of the all-female household when he moved into their condominium after his father, and Ann’s boyfriend, died. He portrayed Alex for 3 years from 1980 to 1983.
Scarpelli continued performing within the years following and appeared in Jennifer Slept Right here, The Love Boat and Fantasy. In 2019, Scarpelli briefly starred within the Netflix revival of One Day at a Time.
Scarpelli has been married to tv producer John Ricci Jr. since 2023. He regularly posts pictures from his time on One Day at a Time and has maintained an in depth friendship with Phillips.
Michael Lembeck as Max Horvath
Lembeck started starring on One Day at a Time in 1979 throughout season 5 as Julie’s on-screen love curiosity and eventual husband, Max Horvath.
After showing on One Day at a Time, Lembeck had roles in The Krofft Supershow and The Boys in Firm C. Nonetheless, Lembeck transitioned to a profession in directing and went on to direct hit movies The Santa Clause 2 and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause and a number of other episodes of Everyone Loves Raymond and Pals, for which he gained an Emmy.
Lembeck has been married to former actor Lorna Patterson since 1990, and the couple share two youngsters.
Boyd Gaines as Mark Royer
In 1981, Gaines was launched as dental pupil Mark Royer, who finally marries Barbara. He starred within the present’s final three seasons.
As soon as the sitcom got here to an finish, Gaines scored roles in different TV reveals and flicks, however he later turned identified for voice performing in audiobooks and performing in musicals and performs on Broadway.
Gaines has gained 4 Tony Awards for his performances in Gypsy, The Heidi Chronicles, She Loves Me and Contact. He made historical past in 2007 when he was the primary actor to be nominated in all 4 performing Tony classes.
Gaines is married to actress Kathleen McNenny, and so they share one daughter, Leslie.



