Mackenzie Phillips facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mackenzie Phillips
Phillips in 2008
Born	Laura Mackenzie Phillips (1959-11-10) November 10, 1959 (age 65)
Education	Highland Hall Waldorf School
Occupation	Actress singer author
Years active	1972–present
Known for	One Day at a Time American Graffiti So Weird
Spouse(s)	Jeff Sessler ​ ​ (m. 1979; div. 1981)​ Michael Barakan ​ ​ (m. 1986; div. 2000)​ Keith Levenson ​ ​ (m. 2005; div. 2007)​
Children	1
Parents	John Phillips (father) Susan Adams (mother)
Relatives	Freddie Sessler (former-father-in-law) Bijou Phillips (half-sister) Chynna Phillips (half-sister)

Laura Mackenzie Phillips (born November 10, 1959) is an American actress, singer, and author. She is the daughter of the famous folk-rock musician John Phillips, who was in the band The Mamas and the Papas. Her mother is Susan Adams.

Phillips is best known for her roles as Carol Morrison in the movie American Graffiti and as the teenager Julie Cooper on the TV show One Day at a Time. She also starred as the rock-star mom Molly Phillips on the Disney Channel show So Weird and played Barb Denning in Orange Is the New Black.

Early Life and First Roles

Phillips grew up in California and went to the Highland Hall Waldorf School. When she was 12, she started a band with some of her friends. A casting agent saw her perform and invited her to audition for the 1973 movie American Graffiti. She got the part and started her acting career.

Career Highlights

Phillips in 1975

Phillips in 1975 with her One Day at a Time co-stars Bonnie Franklin and Valerie Bertinelli.

Phillips was only 12 years old when she filmed American Graffiti. In the movie, she played a young girl named Carol Morrison who gets a ride from a teenager named John Milner. Because she was so young, the movie's producer, Gary Kurtz, became her legal guardian during filming to make sure she was safe on set.

Stardom with 'One Day at a Time'

Phillips became a big star in the 1970s on the popular TV show One Day at a Time. She played the smart and funny teenager Julie Cooper. The show was a huge hit, and she became a household name.

During her time on the show, Phillips faced some personal challenges. This led to her taking a break from the series. She returned for a while, but eventually, her character was written out of the show so she could focus on her health.

Music and Later Acting Roles

From the mid-1980s to the early 1990s, Phillips toured and sang with a new version of her father's band, called The New Mamas and The Papas.

In 1999, she returned to television in the Disney Channel series So Weird. She played Molly Phillips, a rock star and mother to the main character, Fi. Phillips even sang original songs for the show. She also appeared in the Disney Channel movie Double Teamed in 2002.

Throughout her career, Phillips has guest-starred in many popular TV shows, including ER, Cold Case, and Beverly Hills, 90210.

Recent Work and Helping Others

In 2017, Phillips appeared in the new version of One Day at a Time. She played a character named Pam, a counselor who helps others. This role was special because, in real life, Phillips began working as a counselor at a treatment center in 2016. She uses her own life experiences to help people who are going through difficult times.

In 2018, she had a memorable role as Barbara Denning in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black.

Personal Life

Phillips has been married three times. She has one son, Shane, who was born in 1987 and is also a musician.

In 2009, she wrote a book about her life called High on Arrival. She later wrote another book, Hopeful Healing, to share her story and offer encouragement to others facing challenges.

Filmography

Published works

• High on Arrival (2009)
• Hopeful Healing: Essays on Managing Recovery and Surviving Addiction (2017)

Awards and nominations

See also

In Spanish: Mackenzie Phillips para niños