I can’t honestly say that I remember seeing Jimmy McNichol move much in the past. That is to say, I don’t recall any television shows or movies in which he appeared prior to meeting him at the Hollywood Show on January 12, 2013. Back then, I only knew him from photographs. After I got returned from California, in a remarkable twist of fate, I saw him in motion – accidentally – for the first time in an episode of Little House on the Prairie as one of the Ingalls girls’ classmates, Harry Baker. In fact, I saw him in three episodes during the first season.
His other credits include episodes of Gunsmoke, The Love Boat, and a pair of ABC After School Specials. The most notable film appearance I could turn up was Smokey Bites the Dust. Egads!
So why did I bother meeting him, you ask? Well, he falls under that same ilk of Leif Garrett, Rex Smith, and even his sister Kristy McNichol – those who graced the pages of 16 Magazine and scads of other teen mags during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. I bought them for the KISS articles, but through them I came to know the other teenage heartthrobs whom I wouldn’t have otherwise known. I guess I’m all the better for it. I guess.
But nonetheless, he was part of my adolescent landscape, so I felt that I had to shell out for an autographed photo. When I first approached him, I was a bit nervous because he had a little laptop computer with an autograph auction displayed in which his signed photo had apparently sold for $500. This was his justification for charging $20 – which is a price that I’m sure most all of us would be willing to pay without any justification at all. He was nice and he posed for a photo with me for free. That’s what I wanted and that’s what I got.
Another checkmark in the column of “Faces I knew as a kid, and now have a picture with my face next to.” These are actually quite fun.
Celebrity encounters from the Winter 2013 Hollywood Show will continue…
I can remember seeing him in a figure skating movie, called “Champions – A Love Story”, back in the late 1970’s.
Dave Chasteen
March 8th, 2013
Beautiful head of hair on that guy. I tell people I used to buy 16 magazine for the KISS articles too…
Eric Hubble
March 9th, 2013
Love it! I had a big crush on him when I was in junior high. If I would have known there was some sort of meet&greet, I’d have been there! So what is this Hollywood Show? I like a few hours from Hollywood. I’d go if there’s one in the future.
Mia
September 26th, 2016