Lisa Whelchel is a mom with a mission…

On weeknights, Lisa Whelchel can be seen as Blair Warner on nick at Nite’s fall line-up of the 80’s sitcom, “The Facts of Life.” But in ‘real life,’ Whelchel is a full-time wife and mother. In 1988 she made the major decision to put her acting career on hold and trade it for life as a pastor’s wife and full-time mom. Author of her first book titled “Creative Correction” (Tyndale House Publishers and Focus on the Family), Lisa passes on the creative tips she has learned as she has disciplined and trained her own children.

“My purpose in writing ‘Creative Correction’ is to give parents hope, not a guilt complex,” she says. “Whether parents are facing a fork in the road, a dead end, or are completely lost, I encourage them not to give up. I want to come alongside overwhelmed parents and remind them of what they already know to be true, but in the confusion of a ‘superhighway’ lifestyle, lost sight of along the way.”

Lisa has previously schooled her three children at home and continues to cherish the time she is able to spend with them.  “I don’t think I will ever take for granted the privilege of being my children’s mother and the opportunity to stay home with them,” she says.

I consider staying home a luxury because I understand it is an option many families aren’t able to afford. I’ve also walked with the Lord long enough to have learned that what is right for one family may not be what’s best for another. Therefore, you won’t find me making any judgments about working mothers. Who knows—I may be called back to work someday, too.”

Lisa was born on May 29^th in Littlefield, Texas to Jimmy and Jenny Whelchel. Her mom started taking her to acting classes when she was seven to break her out of her shell, because she was so shy. The classes paid off, and when she was 13, she debuted as a Mouseketeer on “The New Mickey Mouse Club.”

Her acting career quickly took off and she starred as Blair Warner on NBC’s “The Facts of Life” for nine years. She has been a guest star on a number of television series and acted in several films including features, “Where the Red Fern Grows, Part Two” and “The Double McGuffin.” She has also starred in telefilms such as “The Facts of Life Goes to Paris,” “Skyward,” “Twirl,” “No Man’s Land,” and “The Facts of Life Down Under.” Lisa may star again as “Blair Warner in the upcoming “Facts of Life” reunion movie that is currently under consideration.

Lisa is married to Steven, an associate pastor at a church in Southern California. They have three children, Tucker, Haven and Clancy.

[ Home ]