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IMDbPro

Life Goes On

  • TV Series
  • 1989–19931989–1993
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
2.7K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,009
426
Life Goes On (1989)
Life Goes On
Play trailer2:04
1 Video
20 Photos
Drama
A modern All-American family deals with the struggles of life and love in mid-western suburbia.A modern All-American family deals with the struggles of life and love in mid-western suburbia.A modern All-American family deals with the struggles of life and love in mid-western suburbia.
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
2.7K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,009
426
    • Michael Braverman
  • Stars
    • Kellie Martin
    • Chris Burke
    • Patti LuPone
    • Michael Braverman
  • Stars
    • Kellie Martin
    • Chris Burke
    • Patti LuPone
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 23User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Primetime Emmys

    Episodes83

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos1

    Life Goes On
    Trailer 2:04
    Watch Life Goes On

    Photos20

    Patti LuPone in Life Goes On (1989)
    Patti LuPone in Life Goes On (1989)
    Chris Burke and Patti LuPone at an event for Life Goes On (1989)
    Kellie Martin, Chris Burke, Monique Lanier, Patti LuPone, and Bill Smitrovich at an event for Life Goes On (1989)
    Kellie Martin, Chris Burke, Monique Lanier, Patti LuPone, and Bill Smitrovich in Life Goes On (1989)
    Anthony Addabbo in Life Goes On (1989)
    Chris Burke and Andrea F. Friedman in Life Goes On (1989)
    Chris Burke and Andrea F. Friedman in Life Goes On (1989)
    Chris Burke in Life Goes On (1989)
    Kellie Martin, Chris Burke, Monique Lanier, Patti LuPone, and Bill Smitrovich in Life Goes On (1989)
    “LIFE GOES ON” NBC
    Halle Berry, Kellie Martin, Chris Burke, Alison Elliott, Michael Learned, Patti LuPone, Tracey Needham, Leah Remini, Bill Smitrovich, and Deborah Tucker in Life Goes On (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Kellie Martin
    Kellie Martin
    • Becca Thatcher
    Chris Burke
    Chris Burke
    • Corky Thatcher
    Patti LuPone
    Patti LuPone
    • Libby Thatcher
    Bill Smitrovich
    Bill Smitrovich
    • Drew Thatcher
    Tracey Needham
    Tracey Needham
    • Paige Thatcher…
    Chad Lowe
    Chad Lowe
    • Jesse McKenna
    Monique Lanier
    • Paige Thatcher
    Tommy Puett
    Tommy Puett
    • Tyler Benchfield
    Oliver Theess
    • Student…
    Kiersten Warren
    Kiersten Warren
    • Goodman
    Andrea F. Friedman
    • Amanda Swanson
    Penny Santon
    Penny Santon
    • Teresa Giordano
    Troy Evans
    Troy Evans
    • Artie McDonald
    Michele Matheson
    Michele Matheson
    • Rona Lieberman…
    Al Ruscio
    Al Ruscio
    • Sal Giordano
    Dorothy Lyman
    Dorothy Lyman
    • Mary McKenna…
    Gloria Gifford
    Gloria Gifford
    • Mrs. Kneffer
    Tanya Fenmore
    • Maxie
      • Michael Braverman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      One of the first shows to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its social implications. In its later seasons the show depicted a relationship between Kellie Martin's character Becca Thacher and Chad Lowe's character Jesse McKenna. Becca and Jesse dated, and were often shown kissing. Jesse had HIV/AIDS and Becca did not. The show used this relationship and the character of Jesse to address issues of bigotry and unwarranted hysteria regarding the disease. Moreover, the show helped to inform its audience about the facts and myths surrounding HIV/AIDS (for example: the various ways one could or could not contract HIV/AIDS) and urged people to practice safe sex, avoid drug use involving needles, and to get tested.
    • Alternate versions
      The Season 1 DVD omits the Beatles' "Ob La Di" as the theme song -- replaced with an original song written for the DVD release -- to avoid the high licensing fees. The one exception is the pilot episode.
    • Connections
      Featured in The 42nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1990)
    • Soundtracks
      Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
      (opening theme)

      Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

      Performed by Patti LuPone and cast

    User reviews23

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    One of the best television shows ever
    I remember watching my first prime time drama at the age of six years old with my mother and younger brother. My mother was a huge fan of "Life Goes On", the show which focuses on the Thatcher Family. She somehow got me so interested in the show that it became the first program I watched on a regularl basis. The story revolves around the two parents who guide their wayward daughter Paige, the blossoming Becca, and Charles, or Corky, their first and only downs-syndrome child. The breakout star of the show became Kellie Martin, whose portrayal of Becca captured the hearts of many awe-struck spectators every Sunday night on ABC. Her first boyfriend, Tyler, dies in a car crash and her second boyfriend was HIV positive. Words (and especially not mine) can not do this show justice. The emotion is just to pure and real that you feel Becca's pain over Jesse and vice versa. It was an incredible show. ABC, of course cancelled it in it's fourth season. "Life Goes On" and "My So-Called Life" will always be my favorite dramas for the 90's and I suppose I will always hate ABC for cutting them down in their prime. You can check out re-runs of the show if you get PAX and see a very different (and blond) Kellie Martin scrubbing for surgery on ER.
    helpful•10
    3
    • Ryan D.
    • Jan 11, 1999

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 12, 1989 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Blondie Street, Columbia/Warner Bros. Ranch - 411 North Hollywood Way, Burbank, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • The Toots Company
      • Warner Bros. Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour
      • Color
      • Dolby

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