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‘One on One’ Star Annette O’Toole Experienced Death of Her Stepchild – She Is Now 71 and Continues to Live On

Annette O’Toole turned 71 in April 2023!

She is not shy about gray hair and her new look.

O’Toole has been happily married for 24 years – after the loss of a child, she and her husband are still in love.

Annette O’Toole is an actress who made her TV debut when she was only two years old. She appeared on “The Don Mahoney Kiddie Trooper Show.”

O’Toole grew up in a dance studio run by her mother. At age 13, she already had a decade of singing and dancing experience when she and her mom relocated to Hollywood for acting opportunities.

Actress Annette O'Toole during the premiere of "Small Soldiers" at Universal Ampitheater in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Within two months of the mother and daughter duo’s arrival in Los Angeles, young O’Toole landed her first professional job: dancing with Danny Kaye on “The Danny Kaye Show.”

The Texas native’s first acting role was in the American sitcom, “My Three Sons.” Afterward, she made several appearances in various shows and films, such as “Gunsmoke,” “Hawaii Five-O,” and “The Partridge Family.”

Over the years, O’Toole has starred in over 40 television shows, including “Law & Order, ” “Nash Bridges,” and TV movies. Her film career began in 1975 in the comedy movie, “Michael Ritchie’s Smile” wherein she played a Young American Miss contestant.

The Emmy Award nominee has since appeared in several other well-known films including, “Superman III” “48 Hrs.,” and “Cat People.” O’Toole’s favorite role is in the 1987 movie, “Cross My Heart,” starring alongside actor Martin Short.

Annette O'Toole pictured in a promotional photo for the ABC TV movie "Love For Rent," on November 12, 1979 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

She later co-starred with actor Michael McKean in the Lifetime film, “Final Justice.” The pair had known each other before and later became good friends while filming in Portland.

Their friendship began in the late ’70s after constantly bumping into one another at parties, and it developed into something more in 1998 after filming “Final Justice.” O’Toole and McKean’s first date was at a UCLA concert.

Shortly after that, the Hollywood duo tied the knot in 1999. The two, who have been previously married to other people, brought along kids from their previous marriages.

The couple, who has been married for 24 years, celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary in March 2022 and commemorated their special day with sweet tributes on social media.

Actor Michael McKean and his wife Annette O'Toole during "Fish Fry: An All-Star Roast of Fisher Stevens" at Puck Building on May 23, 2005 in New York City, New York | Source: Getty Images

McKean posted a photo of him and his wife and tweeted: “23 years ago, I married my best friend, and it is working out beautifully. Thanks for saying yes, @creamofwool.”

In response, O’Toole penned on Twitter, “I’ll say. 23 years ago today,” alongside a throwback picture from their wedding day.

O’Toole Appeared in New Look at 71st Birthday
O’Toole is now in her seventies and turned 71 on April 1, 2023. She celebrated her birthday with a red velvet cake that she baked herself and which is gluten-free.

The “Virgin River” star posted a snapshot of herself holding her cake on Instagram. She donned blue jeans with a black long-sleeve shirt and wore her long gray hair down – parted in the middle.

Fans commented on her post, with one user writing, “Happy Birthday!! Cake looks delicious – enjoy!” A second social media user wrote, “Happiest birthday Annette. You look great.” While a third individual penned, “Happy birthday hope you have a great day.”

Having made her birthday cake, it appears O’Toole enjoys spending time in the kitchen. In November 2022, she shared a picture of mini-loaves and captioned the post: “It smells SO good in the kitchen. Apple Butter Bread mini loaves.”

Besides that, the veteran star also relishes spending time with friends. In July 2022, she and her co-stars from the Netflix series “Virgin River” got together

The movie star posed for a group photo she shared on her social media account. “The Sewing Circle” #virginriverseries,” she wrote.

O’Toole and her beloved husband McKean live in West Los Angeles, in Culver City, California. Their humble abode consists of a living room, which he described as a “mini ballroom,” where the couple has a good time by singing and dancing.

Meanwhile, his wife said their house, which has four bedrooms and four bathrooms, is “faux Mediterranean.” The pool house is usually reserved for her daughter, who stays there whenever she likes.

What Did O’Toole & McKean Face as a Couple?
O’Toole is a mother of two daughters, Anna and Nell, whom she welcomed with her former spouse, actor Bill Geisslinger. She moved with them to Brentwood, California, in 1998, where she married their stepdad, McKean.

The siblings attended Crossroads School in Santa Monica, California. Nell, the eldest child, graduated from the institution in 2001, later joining Bennington College in Vermont, but dropped out after one term.

A year later, in 2002, she joined the acting company at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival as an intern. Nell was born in Los Angeles and raised in Ashland, Oregon.

On September 21, 2021, the actor’s famous mother gushed on social media about her and her little sister Anna. O’Toole celebrated her kids, who both have dark hair, on “#NationalDaughtersDay,” and shared a selfie of the duo smiling.

The proud mom also raved about her firstborn in a July 2022 post. She posted a photo of herself wearing a purple cardigan and revealed Nell had made it for her for Christmas. “I love it.” The pair are close.

O’Toole’s spouse McKean is also a father of two. He has sons Colin and Fletcher, whom he welcomed with a set production assistant, Susan Russell.

In December 2012, the family faced tough times when McKean’s eldest son, Colin, died following a heroin overdose. He reportedly passed away at his home at age 36.

Annette O'Toole, Michael McKean and children during premiere of "Small Soldiers" at Universal Ampitheater on July 8, 1998 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

The actor was discovered unresponsive on December 3, 2012, within 24 hours of another suspected heroin death in Ashland of Jordan Roth, the son of a retired Ashland doctor.

At the time of the report, law enforcement officers had yet to determine the real cause of the two men’s death and to find out whether there was any connection to how they died.

Despite the unfortunate incident in the family, O’Toole and the father of two remain devoted parents to their kids and are still close regardless of what happened.