Jimmy McNichol

James Vincent McNichol III (born July 2, 1961), known professionally as Jimmy McNichol, is an American actor and singer who first gained fame as a teen idol in the late 1970s. At the beginning of his career his popularity quickly grew, causing networks including CBS to create multiple television series specifically for him to be in leading roles or other parts. After making a record number of appearances on talk shows he was viewed by many as "the face you see everywhere".

In 1978, McNichol recorded an album with his sister, Kristy, who was also in acting. Next, they hosted a youth-oriented variety show for ABC and Jimmy had lead roles in Smokey Bites the Dust (1981), and opposite Susan Tyrrell in the horror film Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker (1981). After leaving acting in the 1990s, Jimmy McNichol moved with his family to Colorado and became active in environmentalist causes working as a real estate investor and home renovator. in Los Angeles, to James and Carolyn McNichol. He is the oldest of three siblings, with a sister Kristy (b. 1962) and brother Tommy (b. 1965). He landed minor roles on shows including Little House on the Prairie (1974) and S.W.A.T. (1975).

His first film appearance was an uncredited role in Sunshine (1973) at 12. His first regular starring role was as younger brother Jack on the network series The Fitzpatricks. Michele Tobin played his sister, Mo, on the show, and they later worked together on California Fever. McNichol sang the show's theme song and in 1978 recorded an album with his sister, Kristy and Jimmy McNichol, produced by Phil & Mitch Margo. The album spawned a hit single, a cover of The Chiffons' "He's So Fine", The siblings also appeared as co-hosts of the fall 1978 ABC All-Star Saturday Preview Special, a youth-oriented sketch comedy show featuring Bee Gees, Donny Osmond, and other musical guests. Jimmy and his sister, however, ceased performing together after Kristy had a manic breakdown while the two were in France; she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Afterward, he stepped away from the music industry, later commenting: "I know the outcomeit's a real big high one year, and the next year, nobody knows who you are. All that singing and touring and the guys behind you doing drugs. Eventually it's gonna get to you." He starred in the television film Champions: A Love Story (1979), a teen drama about an ex-hockey player and figure skater who fall in love. He subsequently appeared in several other successful made-for-TV movies, including the thriller Blinded by the Light (1980), starring opposite his sister Kristy as a gay teenager who escapes a religious cult. He made several low budget feature films including Smokey Bites the Dust (1981) and the horror film Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker (1982), co-starring with Susan Tyrrell and Bill Paxton.

In 1984, McNichol accepted the role of Josh Clayton on General Hospital. He performed in a band throughout the 1980s under the name "Jimmy James". His last major acting role was as Jill Ireland's son Valentine McCallum in the 1991 television film Reason for Living, co-starring Jill Clayburgh. After completing Reason for Living, at 30, McNichol decided to retire from acting. Jimmy McNichol is an avid environmentalist and in 1998 had a web site called ECOTV. After leaving acting, he began a career in residential construction and home renovation. In 2010, he discovered he had a daughter Kellee Maize, a rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur from Pittsburgh whose adoptive parents live in Pennsylvania.

Filmography Film

Television Year Title Role Notes 1974 Run, Joe, Run Robbie Episode: "False Alarm" 1974 Gunsmoke Willie Episode: "The Tarnished Badge" 1974 Little House on the Prairie Harry Baker 3 episodes 1975 Shazam! Kelly Martin Episode: "Double Trouble" 1975 S.W.A.T. Youth Episode: "Vigilante" 1976 ABC After School Special: Me and Dad's New Wife 1977–1978 The Fitzpatricks Jack Fitzpatrick 13 episodes 1979 California Fever Vince Butler 10 episodes 1983 The Love Boat Charles Davidson 2 episodes 1984–1985 General Hospital Josh Clayton Recurring role 1985 ABC After School Special: First the Egg David Hanna 1995 V.R. Troopers Brandon Sands Episode: "A Hard Day's Mutant" 2013–2014 On Cinema Himself 2 episodes 2017 Decker Son of Dracula 5 episodes

Discography Kristy and Jimmy McNichol (RCA, 1978)