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Kristy McNichol<\/strong> made a rare fan appearance with a popular ’80s co-star from one of her fan-favorite films.<\/p>\n The ’70s and ’80s teen idol, 63, recently reunited with her The Pirate Movie co-star, Christopher Atkins<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n In a photo shared to Atkins’ Instagram page<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n “So happy to see Kristy again!!! Such an amazing actor. I have missed her,” one fan wrote.<\/p>\n “So cool to see you guys on the circuit & the pirate<\/a> movie getting the love it deserves. Definitely a fav. First celebrity crush \ud83d\ude0a,” another added.<\/p>\n “Great to see you both together \ud83d\udc95,” another fan agreed.<\/p>\n McNichol has made few public appearances in recent years, but in May, she reunited with Atkins<\/a> in Los Angeles to promote a screening of The Pirate Movie, which was loosely based on the musical The Pirates of Penzance.<\/p>\n Atkins teased the July reunion during a recent guest spot on the Media Path Podcast<\/a>, where he admitted that he struggled with singing in the movie. The actor also praised McNichol’s voice.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n McNichol was one of the biggest teen stars of the 1970s and early 80s. After starring in TV shows and movies<\/a> such as Family and Little Darlings, she appeared in the 1980s sitcom<\/a>Empty Nest. McNichol stepped away from Hollywood in the 1990s<\/a>.<\/p>\n In 2014, she told People<\/a> magazine<\/a>, “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.”<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n Years later, fans are happy to see McNichol making a return to fan events.<\/p>\n Related: Maureen McCormick Once Thought She’d Marry This ’80s TV Heartthrob<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n This story was originally published by Parade<\/a> on Jul 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the News<\/a> section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n