In the 1970s, the ABC television drama Family told the story of the tight-knit Lawrence clan, a family whose relatable ups and downs mirrored viewers’ lives. At the heart of that magic was a cast of young actors who quickly became some of the decade’s defining teen idols.
As the series celebrates its 50th anniversary, two of its actors are reuniting for an unforgettable event. Kristy McNichol and Leif Garrett will be two of several former Family cast members attending Nite of Dreams’ Family 50th Anniversary Gala.
Former Family Cast members McNichol (Letitia “Buddy” Lawrence), Gary Frank (Willie Lawrence), John Rubenstein (Jeff Maitland), Elayne Heilveil (Nancy Lawrence Maitland), Louise Foley (Audrey Pfeiffer), and producer Caroll Newman are scheduled to attend the event. Garrett played the recurring character of Zack Russell, McNichols’ television boyfriend on the series.
The event promises a meet and greet, cast Q&A, photo-op, and a meal. Raffle items are set to benefit Caterina’s Club, a local Orange County, California, organization that provides meals to children in need.
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The reunion of Garrett and McNichol comes almost 50 years after he played the recurring role of Buddy’s boyfriend. Their on-screen pairing helped cement their status as teen idols, forging a deep, nostalgic bond with a generation of viewers who grew up alongside them.
In the series, Garrett and McNichol perfectly captured the rush of teenage first love. Their most memorable storyline came in the iconic episode “All For Love,” which found Buddy navigating intense pressure as she hesitated to take her relationship with Zack to the next level.
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Watching Buddy navigate those relationship issues gave a voice to what millions of teenagers experienced in real life. The role of the fiercely independent young woman cemented McNichol’s status as a definitive voice for her generation.
McNichol won two Emmy Awards for her work on Family. She took home the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in both 1977 and 1979.
Both McNichol and Garrett would go on to other projects after Family ended. Garrett dominated the pop charts with “I Was Made for Dancin'” and starred in The Outsiders. McNichol starred in blockbuster films like Little Darlings, Only When I Laugh, the cult classic The Pirate Movie, and the hit sitcomEmpty Nest. Unfortunately, never worked together again.
However, fans of ’70s television and pop culture never really let go of their love for the series or the actors. For many viewers, watching Buddy and Zack navigate the messy realities of growing up was a weekly ritual.
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Sharing a stage again for this 50th anniversary is the kind of full-circle moment classic television fans wait for. This isn’t just a reunion; it’s a massive piece of childhood coming right back to life.
Family’s 50th Anniversary Gala is set to take place on October 25 at the Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Monter.
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This story was originally published by Parade on Jul 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.