Mackenzie Phillips candidly discusses her years on ‘One Day at a Time’ and the personal challenges she faced behind the scenes. Known for her role as Julie Cooper, Phillips reflects on how she and co-star Valerie Bertinelli spent their breaks during filming. Despite being just teenagers, Phillips revealed, ‘This might surprise you that during lunch break, Valerie and I would drive to my house, get in the pool, drink wine, and snort coke.’ Both young actresses grappled with the pressures of fame during the sitcom’s run from 1975 to 1984.
Phillips is open about her struggles with addiction, explaining, ‘I was the one that got caught. And thank God I got caught.’ Their friendship, which began as teenage co-stars, persists. Phillips says, ‘We were teenagers and now we’re women of a certain age and we loved each other.’ The bond, tested by addiction, still endures.
Phillips’ efforts to stay connected during her sobriety journey involved reaching out to Bertinelli. ‘I just drove past the house I want you to know I’m six months sober,’ Phillips recalled leaving messages during her recovery phases.
Her resilience and faith keep her grounded today. Phillips says, ‘What keeps me grounded is my faith and just knowing how strong and empowered my history has made me.’ Despite others’ pity, she sees her experiences as formative, stating, ‘Everything I went through even though it was horrible and difficult made me the woman I am today.’
Phillips’ life story includes the influence of her father, John Phillips of Mamas & the Papas fame. Her memoir ‘High on Arrival’ and ‘Hopeful Healing’ capture her struggles and journey to recovery. The actress is also committed to using her experiences to support others, working as a counselor in addiction recovery.
Reflecting on misconceptions about her relationship with her father, Phillips clarifies, ‘I had been groomed so deeply that I felt like it was my fault.’ This understanding has evolved over the years, acknowledging the manipulative dynamics between a parent and child.
Through her work in recovery, acting, and sharing her story, Phillips continues on a path of healing and empowerment.