John Lawlor, who starred in the first season of “The Facts of Life,” a “Different Stokes” spinoff, died Feb. 13 at a hospice care facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, according to an official obituary. He was 83.
Lawlor, who first cut his teeth with a series of guest spots in 1975 on “The Rockford Files” and “Ellery Queen,” found more lasting fame the following year, starring as Leonard Marsh in the second season of “Phyllis,” a spinoff of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”
Then, in 1979, Lawlor was cast as Steven Bradley, the well-meaning if often befuddled headmaster of the all-girls school at the center of “The Facts of Life.” For Season 2, showrunners opted for a mix-up, replacing Bradley’s character with Charles Parker, portrayed by “Star Trek” star Roger Perry.
Born in 1941 in Troy, N.Y., according to his obituary, Lawlor was the oldest of six children. He is survived by two brothers and five children.
“As a friend of Bill, he mentored many on their path to a more complete and fulfilling life,” the obituary reads. “John will be remembered for his great love and affection for his family, his work and enjoyment of theater, television, movies, literature, and of course, his beloved horses.”
After his stint on “The Facts of Life,” Bradley returned to the guest star circuit, appearing in “L.A. Law” and “Knots Landing” and later venturing into helping direct films like “Driftwood” (1997) and “A Prayer for the Dying” (1987).