According to Deadline, the actress that played the adorable Kathy “Kitten” Anderson on the 1950’s sitcom Father Knows Best, Lauren Chapin (School Bus Diaries, Scout’s Honor), recently passed at the age of 80. Chapin’s son announced her death on Facebook. Matthew Chapin wrote, “After a long hard fought battle over the past 5 years, the time has come. My mother Lauren Chapin passes away from her battle with cancer tonight. I’m at a complete loss for words right now. Please keep my sister and family in your thoughts and prayers as we go through this incredibly tough time.”

As a child star of the 50s, Chapin ran within the same crowd as Jerry Mathers (Will to Power, Dad Dudes) from Leave It To Beaver and Jon Provost (Creature Features, Heroes of Extinction) from Lassie, who also recently passed as well. Deadline reports she was just nine years old when she landed the role of the Anderson’s youngest daughter.

According to Deadline, Chapin was known as the precocious, kind-hearted child actress, who’d later reveal personal struggles with fame in her adult life. She would speak candidly about the dark side of stardom, detailing the sexual abuse from her father and struggles with her mental health, which led to substance misuse and suicide attempts. These were compounded with teenage marriages and divorces, jail time and several miscarriages over the years.

Deadline notes that Chapin dropped out of high school at 16 and later sued her mother to claim earned money from Father Knows Best. The actress would retell her life story through motivational and inspirational speeches, television shows such as E! True Hollywood Story and numerous other talk shows and documentaries about child stars. All of these experiences led her to her role as a Founding Board of Director member for A Minor Consideration. This is a non-profit organization to protect other child actors in the entertainment industry.

Deadline reports Chapin turned to ministry in the 1970s and became a talent manager. In 1989, she published her memoir, Father Does Know Best, and in 2016, she appeared in the YouTube series School Bus Diaries.  

Lauren Chapin is survived by her son Matthew and her daughter Summer as well as her brother, Michael, and some extended family.