Cloris Leachman – Then
Cloris Leachman joined The Facts of Life in 1986 during season 7, replacing Mrs. Garrett with the character Beverly Ann. at this point, Charlotte Rae wanted to leave the show and go off to Africa.
Charlotte Rae, the original caretaker on the show, chose Cloris as her replacement because she was the perfect fit to take over. Beverly would not only have been an essential new caretaker of the girls but also a businesswoman due to owning a shop.