Her acting career didn't stop with her signature role. She reprised her character in TV movies like "The Facts of Life Goes to Paris" (1982) and "The Facts of Life Reunion" (2001), and later appeared in holiday films such as "Hearts of Spring" (2016) and "You Light Up My Christmas" (2019).

While her career appeared destined to make her a household name, it was the choices she made off-screen — guided by strong faith and personal convictions — that truly set her apart.

One of her biggest decisions came in 1993 when she was offered a part in a new show that would later become a huge success. In a 2014 interview with OWN, she recalled reading the pilot script for "Friends" and telling her husband, "This is the funniest script I have ever read and this is going to be a huge hit."

But she declined the role for a reason. "I can tell it is going to be all about just, you know, sex and anything to go with that. I don't regret not taking that opportunity," she said.

Her dedication to her values was clear even earlier in her career. While filming "The Facts of Life," she declined to take part in an episode where the writers originally planned for her character, Blair, to lose her virginity. The storyline was later given to another character, Natalie.

In a 2015 interview, she explained that many young girls, around eight or nine years old, watched the show and might not understand the context.

She felt the storyline treated sex before marriage as "a normal fact of life" and worried it would be handled too lightly. As she put it, after something serious, the show would simply end with "a group hug," and by the next week, focus on something trivial like "Joe buying a new motorcycle." For her, that wasn't the right message to send to young viewers.

A Life Built on Faith, a Divorce Kept Private

In July 1988, she married pastor Steve Cauble. Together, they raised three children, building a life centered around faith and family values. Their marriage appeared strong.

However, after 24 years together, their relationship quietly came to an end. The actress initially kept the news a secret, with only close friends aware of the split.

Even after their divorce, they maintained a close relationship, often going out to dinner or seeing movies together. Their connection remained so unchanged that their daughter Clancy once joked she wouldn't have known they were divorced unless told directly.

Reflecting on the marriage's end, she admitted, "Of course I still believe in marriage. I never thought divorce would happen to me. But Steve is still my best friend. We just couldn't be married."

She later explained how the experience shaped her perspective. "I personally have much more understanding and empathy now. You don't know what people are facing in their lives, so it's important to love and not judge them," she said.

She explained that her faith taught her that everyone makes mistakes and deserves forgiveness. The experience showed her the importance of offering kindness and understanding to others, especially during difficult times.