Valerie Bertinelli Says Bonnie Franklin ‘Sent Me to a Therapist’
Valerie Bertinelli’s Heartfelt Tribute to TV Mom Bonnie Franklin
The bond between Valerie Bertinelli and her TV mom, Bonnie Franklin, went beyond the script of the beloved sitcom “One Day at a Time.” During a recent interview on “The Drew Barrymore Show,” Bertinelli shared a touching story about how Franklin supported her during a challenging time in her life.
At just 15 years old when she joined the cast of “One Day at a Time,” Bertinelli revealed that Franklin, who passed away in 2013, recognized her struggles with mental health and took action to help her. “I finally went to Bonnie when I turned 20 and said, ‘I’m struggling,'” Bertinelli recalled. “She could see that I was struggling, and she sent me to a psychiatrist and a therapist.”
Barrymore, visibly moved by the story, asked, “Your TV mom sent you to therapy?” Bertinelli confirmed, “Yes.”
This revelation came in the midst of a larger discussion about the importance of mental health support in the entertainment industry, sparked by Ariana Grande’s recent comments about including therapy in contracts for artists. Bertinelli expressed her agreement with Grande, emphasizing the need for support in the industry.
Barrymore, who also experienced fame at a young age, added, “These are the people who have the lived experience. So I don’t feel like she would say these things for sensationalism or righteousness, she’s saying them in advocacy of supporting people.”
“One Day at a Time,” which aired from 1975 to 1984, remains a timeless classic with 209 episodes across nine seasons. The show, featuring Franklin, Bertinelli, Pat Harrington Jr., and Mackenzie Phillips, followed the lives of a divorced mother, her family, and their building superintendent in Indianapolis.
