Kim Fields: From ‘Facts of Life’ to Social Activist

Kim Fields, a name synonymous with talent, grace and versatility, has left a strong mark on the entertainment industry. From her humble beginnings in Harlem, New York, to becoming a household name across generations, Fields has navigated through the ebbs and flows of showbiz with remarkable poise. Fields trajectory started from childhood stardom and she emerged as an enduring legacy as an accomplished actress, director, and producer.

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Kim Fields’ early life

Kim Victoria Fields was born on May 12, 1969, in New York City, to parents Chip Fields and Erv Hurd. Raised in Harlem, she was immersed in the vibrant culture of the city from a young age. Fields remembers clearing growing up in Harlem, across from St. Nicholas Park. She told African American Literature Book Club (AALBC), “I still have an affinity for Harlem. It informs a great deal of who I am as a global citizen, as an artist and performer, and as a wannabe historian.” Her mother, Chip Fields, was also in the entertainment industry as an actress and director, which undoubtedly influenced Field’s career path. Growing up, Field’s exhibited a natural affinity for performing.

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Kim Fields’ acting career

Fields was in TV years before Facts of Life.  She starred in the sitcom Baby... I'm Back! from 1977-78. From there she appeared in several shows including Roots, Good Times, Mork and Mindy, The Comeback Kid and Diff’rent Strokes. However, it was her role as Tootie Ramsey in the iconic television series The Facts of Life (1979-1988) that propelled her to stardom. She was nine years old when she started the role of twelve-year-old Tootie. Her real-life mother also played her on-screen mother in the show.

Fields told People she didn’t realize the impact The Facts of Life would go on to have. Fields said: “You don't realize, 'This show is groundbreaking,' You're just grateful to show up to a job. I certainly didn't think that it was as monumental as it would go on to become."

Facts of Life had a challenging first season and six cast members, including Molly Ringwald, were cut. Fields stayed on and quickly became a fan favorite. She starred alongside Nancy McKeon, Charlotte Rae, Lisa Whelchel and Mindy Cohn. Fields and Cohn became good friends both on and off the show and maintained a life-long friendship.

When asked if she felt typecast as a kid, Fields told African American Literature Book Club, “Not at all. I never felt typecast. I’ve done many different types of projects, some even while playing Tootie, whether TV movies, on the stage or independent features.

Portraying the bubbly and lovable character endeared Fields to audiences worldwide and cemented her status as a rising star.

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Kim Fields beyond Facts of Life

Throughout the decades, Kim Fields' career continued to evolve, showcasing her versatility and range as an actress. In the 1980s, she starred in several made-for-television movies, including The Kid with the Broken Halo (1982). As the 1990s dawned, Fields was a regular in the show Living Single (1993-1998), sharing the screen with Queen Latifah. Fields was open to producers and directors about what was going on in her personal life and in 1994, the producers of the show wrote her real-life breast reduction surgery into the script.

In the 90s she also made guest appearances in several other shows including The Golden Palace, Martin, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Kenan & Kel.

In the 2000s she continued to act and had roles in The Drew Carey Show, One on One, Meet the Browns and Lens on Talent. She also appeared in several movies including Monster Mutt (2011), What to Expect When You’re Expecting (2012), A Question of Faith (2017).

Fields was a cast member on Bravo's Real Housewives of Atlanta in 2015 during its eight season. Then in 2016, she competed on Dancing with the Stars. She was partnered with professional dancer Sasha Farber and they came in eight place.

She’s also starred in several Christmas movies including You Light Up My Christmas (2019) and Adventures in Christmasing. Most recently, she’s played Regina Upshaw in the show The Upshaws (2021-23). She also appeared in 2024’s The Gutter.

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Kim Fields’ personal life

Outside of her professional endeavors, Fields is is married to Broadway actor and writer Christopher Morgan, with whom she shares two sons, Sebastian Alexander and Quincy Xavier.

Fields has also written her memoir Blessed Life which includes personal stories of joy, pain, triumphs and challenges of growing up in Hollywood.

Fields is also very involved in social activism. She told African American Literature Book Club “Social awareness has always been a part of who I am, and even more so now as the mother of African-American boys and the wife of an African-American man. A concern for them and for everyone is in the fabric of my DNA. And it’s important to me to that my voice not just regurgitate complaints but offer solutions, which calls for a little more strategizing. I’m not interested in stirring the pot simply for the sake of stirring the pot. At some point, we have to change the ingredients, if we want a different taste. That’s the type of citizen and leader I am.”

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