Mackenzie Phillips

Mackenzie Phillips is an actress, singer, and author whose career in film, television, and music spans more than five decades. Phillips began her career at age 12, forming a band with classmates and attracting the attention of a casting agent, which led to her audition and subsequent role in George Lucas's film "American Graffiti." This early success led to her casting as Julie Cooper in "One Day at a Time," where she portrayed the older daughter of a single mother. The series became a top-rated program for CBS, consistently ranking among the network's leading television shows during its nine-season run.

Phillips faced personal challenges related to substance abuse, influenced by early exposure to drug use. During her tenure on "One Day at a Time," she developed an addiction to cocaine, resulting in her removal from the cast after an arrest for possession. Following two near-fatal overdoses, Phillips entered rehabilitation and later returned to the show. However, a relapse led to her departure from the series for a second time. Despite these setbacks, Phillips continued to work in television, making guest appearances on shows such as "ER," "Without a Trace," "7th Heaven," "Cold Case," and "Criminal Minds."

After achieving sobriety, Phillips resumed her acting career, appearing as a regular on the Disney series "So Weird" and throughout season 6 of the Netflix drama "Orange Is the New Black." She also appeared in the modern reboot of "One Day at a Time," reconnecting with the franchise that contributed to her early recognition. Phillips received an Honorary Best Actress Award at the Female Eye Film Festival in Toronto for her performance in the independent film "Peach Plum Pear."

Phillips is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir "High on Arrival," which explores her experiences with addiction and recovery. She also wrote "Hopeful Healing: Essays on Managing Recovery and Surviving Addiction," offering insights into substance abuse, addiction treatment, and recovery. In addition to her work as an author and public speaker, Phillips serves as a director at Breathe Life Healing Center in Los Angeles, specializing in trauma, drug, and alcohol treatment and recovery. Her openness about her personal journey has led to appearances on programs such as The Oprah Winfrey Show and The View, establishing her as a prominent advocate for addiction awareness and education.