Lisa Whelchel Returns to Acting 25 Years After 'The Facts of Life'

By:OK! Staff

Jan. 17 2013, Published 9:41 a.m. ET

When the hit show that made her famous went off the air, Lisa Whelchel who played the preppy and snobby Blair Warner on The Facts of Life, took a long break from working so she could focus on raising her family.

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She was out of spotlight until last fall when she signed up to be a contestant on Survivor: Philippines.

Lisa was loved by fans all over again and placed second winning $100,000.

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Now, 25 years later, the divorced mom of three is returning to acting. She auditioned for the first time in 33 years for Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas and she landed the part!

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"I play the role of Nancy Porter, the country school principal," Lisa tells People. "I'm having fun!"

She added: "Tyler Perry is such a brilliant man," she says. "He's a nice guy, and so funny when he gets in his Madea garb."