He was the face on every bedroom wall in 1978. If you grew up then, you remember the hair, the feathered layers, and that smile. Jimmy McNichol wasn't just another TV actor; he was a phenomenon alongside his sister Kristy. But then, almost like he walked through a magic door, he vanished from the A-list circuit. People always ask: what happened?
The answer isn't a tragic "where are they now" cautionary tale. It’s actually a pretty grounded story about a guy who chose a real life over a reel one. At the center of that life is a long-standing marriage that has survived the weirdness of child stardom.
Who is Renée McNichol?
Jimmy McNichol and wife Renée (often cited as Renée Nash) have one of those rare Hollywood marriages that actually lasted. They tied the knot in 1997. Think about that for a second. In an industry where marriages are often measured in months, they’ve been together for nearly three decades.
Renée isn't a tabloid fixture. She’s not out there chasing the "Real Housewives" dragon. Honestly, that’s probably why they’re still together. When they met, Jimmy was transitioning away from the intense glare of the "California Fever" days. He was looking for something substantial, and he found it.
They didn't just stay in Los Angeles and try to make it work at the Beverly Center. In 2006, the couple made a radical move. They packed up their lives in Santa Barbara and headed for Durango, Colorado. Why? Because the Rockies offered something the Hollywood Hills couldn't: peace.
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Raising a Family Away from the Cameras
Jimmy and Renée have two children together, a son named Nash (born in 1997) and a daughter named Ellis (born in 1998). Moving to Colorado wasn't just a whim; it was a calculated decision to give their kids a "normal" upbringing.
You’ve gotta respect the hustle. Jimmy didn't just sit around and wait for the phone to ring with a guest spot on a sitcom. He pivoted. He became a successful real estate investor and developer. He got into ecological issues. While fans were wondering where he went, he was out there building homes and advocating for the environment.
Renée has been the silent partner in all of this. While Jimmy occasionally pops up for a nostalgia convention or an interview, she stays largely out of the public eye. They’ve built a life centered on hiking, animal activism, and the kind of quiet that you just can't find in Southern California.
The 2010 Bombshell: A New Daughter
Every family has a "wait, what?" moment. For the McNichols, it came in 2010. Jimmy discovered he had a third child—a daughter named Kellee Maize, born in 1980.
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Kellee was a successful rapper and entrepreneur in Pittsburgh who had been raised by adoptive parents. When the news broke, it could have been a disaster for a marriage. But here’s where the "human" element of Jimmy McNichol and wife Renée really shines. Instead of drama, there was acceptance.
- The Meeting: Jimmy and Kellee met for the first time in person, a moment later profiled by Oprah Winfrey in 2014.
- The Integration: Renée and the kids welcomed Kellee into the fold.
- The Result: Today, Kellee is a regular part of the family tree. It’s a testament to the stability of Jimmy's marriage that they could navigate such a massive life change without the whole thing imploding.
Where is Jimmy McNichol in 2026?
As of right now, Jimmy is still very much a mountain man, but he’s dipping his toes back into the creative waters. He’s been working on new music (under the project Eco Warrior) and has been involved in animal rescue documentaries like "Animal Rescue The Rockies" (ARTR).
He’s 64 now. He looks like a guy who spends a lot of time outdoors. He and Renée still maintain their base in Colorado, though they’ve been known to spend time in France as well. He’s basically living the retirement most people dream of, fueled by smart real estate moves made decades ago.
Why Their Story Matters
We’re obsessed with the "downfall" of child stars. We love a comeback, sure, but we really love a train wreck. Jimmy McNichol is neither. He’s the guy who looked at the machine, realized it wasn't for him anymore, and chose his wife and kids instead.
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If you’re looking for dirt, you won't find much. Their life is about as wholesome as it gets for a former teen idol. They’re proof that you can survive the 70s, survive Hollywood, and end up with a happy marriage in the mountains.
Actionable Takeaway for Fans
If you're looking to keep up with Jimmy's current projects without falling for clickbait:
- Check official sources: His website, Finding Jimmy, is the most reliable place for updates on his music and TV specials.
- Support the cause: Jimmy and Renée are big into animal welfare. Looking into the "Pet Power Kids" initiative is a great way to see what they actually care about today.
- Ignore the "disappearance" rumors: He didn't disappear; he just moved. He’s active on social media occasionally, usually sharing photos of his dogs or the Colorado landscape.
Ultimately, the story of Jimmy McNichol and his wife is about priority. They chose the quiet life, and by all accounts, it was the best move they ever made.