Mackenzie Phillips, a talented actress, initially gained recognition for her role in the 1973 film American Graffiti. Two years later, she landed the part that would significantly impact her life in the 1975 sitcom One Day at a Time. The show became an instant hit, with everything seeming to be going well until the third season premiered, when she was arrested for cocaine possession and dishonestly addressed the incident during her uncredited appearance on Dinah and Her New Best Friends in 1976.
As the 1979-1980 season progressed, Mackenzie's behavior began to deteriorate. The producers were perplexed by her sudden decline, as she started to exhibit signs of exhaustion, tardiness, and incoherence on set. In response, they granted her a six-week leave of absence. However, in 1980, she was ultimately fired from the series, and she went on to seek rehabilitation.
Following her recovery, Mackenzie returned to acting in the fall of 1981. Despite this, her struggles continued, and in 1983, she fell asleep during a rehearsal. Producer Patricia Fass Palmer subsequently requested that she undergo another drug test, but Mackenzie refused and left the set. Since then, she has made a remarkable recovery and has returned to her acting career.
