(L-R) Actors Ellen Travolta, Gabe Kaplan, Marcia Strassman, John Travolta, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs and Robert Hegyes attend the 9th Annual TV Land Awards at the Javits Center on April 10, 2011 in New York City.
*This year’s TV Land Awards, airing April 17, took place in New York City Sunday night with the casts of “Family Ties,” “The Facts of Life,” “The Cosby Show” and “Welcome Back, Kotter” reuniting for a near full house, reports TV Guide.
Lisa Bonet (now known as Lilakoi Moon), as usual, was the lone absent Cosby kid, holding firm to her “Cosby Show” boycott two decades after being fired from the series.
“Lisa has always danced to the beat of her own drummer, which has worked for and against her,” says Malcolm-Jamal Warner (Theo), who is releasing his third CD and appears this October in the new BET sitcom “Reed Between the Lines.” He recalls Bonet showing up for a mini reunion with him, Tempestt Bledsoe (Vanessa) and Keshia Knight Pulliam (Rudy) for a Nickelodeon Favorite Huxtable contest a few years back. “It was very surprising.”
Bill Cosby
Malcolm Jamal Warner
Sabrina LeBeauf and Keshia Knight Pulliam
Stevie Wonder presents The Impact Award to "The Cosby Show" cast with Bill Cosby
Lawrence Hilton Jacobs, meanwhile, joined his fellow “Kotter” cast – including, for the first time, John Travolta, who played Vinnie Barbarino.
“It’s been very tough trying to get the whole band back together,” says Robert Hegyes (Epstein), who named John godfather to his kids but hasn’t seen Gabe Kaplan (Kotter) in years.
Lawrence Hilton Jacobs and the cast of "Welcome Back, Kotter"
Tootie, a.k.a. Kim Fields, was on hand for the reunion of NBC’s “The Facts of Life.” Nancy McKeon (Jo), the one holdout from ABC’s 2001 reunion movie, was on hand to help honor Charlotte Rae (Mrs. Garrett), who turns 85 this month.
“We all thought it would be really nice to do this — she’s the show’s heart and soul,” says Nancy, who recurs as Demi Lovato’s mom on Disney Channel’s Sonny With a Chance.
(L-R) Geri Jewell, Charlotte Rae, Nancy McKeon and Lisa Whelchel of "The Facts of Life"
The cast of "The Facts Of Life" (L-R) Mindy Cohn, Kim Fields, Charlotte Rae, Geri Jewell, Lisa Whelchel, Nancy McKeon, and Cloris Leachman accept the Pop Culture Award.