A recent photo of Kristy McNichol exercising in Los Angeles has sent fans into overdrive, reigniting questions about why the beloved '70s star walked away at the height of her career.

The 62-year-old Emmy winner, who first stole hearts in the beloved series Family , made the decision to abandon acting completely in 2001. While audiences were blindsided by her departure, McNichol had been quietly grappling with issues that made her exit inevitable.

McNichol's rise began when she landed the role of Letitia "Buddy" Lawrence on ABC's hit Family . She was only 13 years old when the series premiered in 1976, yet her natural talent seemingly set her apart from typical child actors.

Over the show's four-year run, she earned two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in

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