Overview
- Her son, Matthew Chapin, announced her death in a Facebook post, saying she died after a five‑year fight with cancer and asking for prayers and privacy for the family.
- Chapin was best known for nearly 200 episodes as Kitten on Father Knows Best (1954–1960), earning five Junior Emmys for best child actress.
- Born May 23, 1945, in Los Angeles, she began performing as a child with early credits including Lux Video Theatre and an uncredited role in the 1954 film A Star Is Born.
- She later spoke openly about childhood abuse, addiction, legal troubles, and miscarriages before achieving sobriety, entering ministry, writing a memoir, and supporting protections for young performers as a founding board member of A Minor Consideration.
- Beyond ministry and advocacy, she worked as a talent manager and is credited with early guidance to Jennifer Love Hewitt; survivors include her son Matthew, daughter Summer, and brother Michael, with brother Billy having died in 2016.