Kristy McNichol made a rare fan appearance with a popular ’80s co-star from one of her fan-favorite films.
The ’70s and ’80s teen idol, 63, recently reunited with her The Pirate Movie co-star, Christopher Atkins, 65, at Fanboy Expo. The event, which also featured stars from Happy Days, Charlie’s Angels, and the movie Mortal Kombat, was held July 10-12 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
In a photo shared to Atkins’ Instagram page on July 12, the two actors posed side by side holding a snake around their necks. McNichol appeared to be in good spirits as she leaned next to her co-star more than 40 years after the release of their musical movie. She wore her hair in a short, spiky cut along with a maroon shirt and gold hoop earrings.
The reunion had special meaning for fans of the 1982 film, which has developed a cult following over the years. Many commented on how “great” The Pirate Movie stars looked decades after filming the musical fantasy movie together.
“So happy to see Kristy again!!! Such an amazing actor. I have missed her,” one fan wrote.
“So cool to see you guys on the circuit & the pirate movie getting the love it deserves. Definitely a fav. First celebrity crush 😊,” another added.
“Great to see you both together 💕,” another fan agreed.
McNichol has made few public appearances in recent years, but in May, she reunited with Atkins in Los Angeles to promote a screening of The Pirate Movie, which was loosely based on the musical The Pirates of Penzance.
Atkins teased the July reunion during a recent guest spot on the Media Path Podcast, where he admitted that he struggled with singing in the movie. The actor also praised McNichol’s voice.
“Kristy can sing,” Atkins shared on the podcast. “If you listen to her voice, she can sing, but I think she had a band or something with her brother for a little while. She’s got a great voice. I just love her voice. And I’ll tell you, she emailed me today because we’re going to be signing autographs for The Pirate Movie in Knoxville at Fanboy Expo this weekend. … It’ll be Kristy and I.”
McNichol was one of the biggest teen stars of the 1970s and early 80s. After starring in TV shows and movies such as Family and Little Darlings, she appeared in the 1980s sitcomEmpty Nest. McNichol stepped away from Hollywood in the 1990s.
In 2014, she told People magazine, “I was on the big stage between ages 8 and 30. I left show business for a variety of reasons, but a big one was my interest in learning what else there is in life.”
“This phase of my life is so good,” she added. “My home life is happy and serene. I love singing. I also enjoy traveling and seeing the world.”
Years later, fans are happy to see McNichol making a return to fan events.
Related: Maureen McCormick Once Thought She’d Marry This ’80s TV Heartthrob
This story was originally published by Parade on Jul 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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