Mackenzie Phillips Reflects on ‘One Day at a Time’ and Personal Growth

Mackenzie Phillips revisits her time on One Day at a Time, offering insights and humor about behind-the-scenes events. The 66-year-old actress, who portrayed Julie Cooper on the popular sitcom alongside Valerie Bertinelli, shared details with Fox News Digital about surprising fan memories.

Phillips vividly recounted lunchtime activities with Bertinelli. “Valerie and I would drive to my house, swim, drink wine, and use cocaine,” she recalled. Both actresses started working on the show in their teens, with Phillips noting that Bertinelli has publicly addressed this period of her life.

Phillips admitted to issues with addiction that weren’t shared by Bertinelli. Behind the scenes of the sitcom, drugs were prevalent. “We used cocaine in the dressing room,” Phillips said. She later expressed gratitude for being caught, which became a turning point in her life.

As teenage stars, Phillips and Bertinelli gained fame through their roles as sisters Julie and Barbara Cooper on the CBS show from 1975 to 1984. Beyond their on-screen connection, their real-life friendship transcended the years, characterized by mutual affection and healing past wounds.

In a 2022 podcast appearance, Phillips reflected on the enduring bond with Bertinelli despite struggles with addiction, recalling moments of reaching out during sobriety milestones. Their friendship remained meaningful, celebrated by Phillips in an Instagram tribute for Bertinelli’s birthday in April 2025.

Discussing her resilience and grounding influences, Phillips emphasized faith and perseverance. She rejected pity from others regarding her life story, considering hardship as integral to her personal development.

Phillips, daughter of John Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas, detailed her experiences in her memoir High on Arrival and in Hopeful Healing. Resilience remains central to her understanding of life’s journey. She works in recovery, helping others as a counselor and manager at Breathe Life Healing Centers.

While continuing her acting career, including a Netflix role in Orange Is the New Black, Phillips dedicated herself to recovery support. Addressing public misconceptions about her past, Phillips clarified her earlier views, explaining how grooming affected her understanding of her abusive relationship with her father.

Phillips aims to protect victims rather than perpetrators. She considered writing another book titled Everything I Left Out to address omitted aspects of her story.