Biography
MacKenzie Phillips is the daughter of "The Mamas & the Papas" lead singer John Phillips, the stepdaughter of actress
Michelle Phillips,and the half-sister of another film performer, Chynna Phillips. MacKenzie was 13 years old when she essayed her first film role as underaged "cruiser" Carol in
American Graffiti (1973). She then essayed a series of juvenile-delinquent TV guest spots, which ended in 1975 upon her being cast as Julie Cooper on the popular sitcom
One Day at a Time. During the run of this series, MacKenzie accepted a few outside assignments, notably a cameo as
Lillian Gish (whom she closely resembled) in the made-for-TV
The Silent Lovers (1980). Drug problems and run-ins with the law compromised MacKenzie's ability to function on
One Day at a Time, culminating in her being fired during the 1979-80 season. After going "cold turkey," MacKenzie Phillips briefly returned to the series in 1981, but her previous self-destructive lifestyle had taken its toll on her physical and emotional makeup; she left
One Day for good in 1983, and has worked but little since. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide