Many of us, Old Schoolers, may not easily recall her real name, but most of us know her face. From 1986 to 1991, we watched actress, Kimberly Russell, play the role of high school student, “Sarah Nevins,” on the sitcom, Head of the Class. Her role was the most down to earth character among her eclectic classmates in the gifted class of the fictitious ‘Monroe High.’ We also watched Kimberly play the role of Bill Cosby’s daughter, “Diane,” in the 1990 film, Ghost Dad.

Although Russell made a few others guest appearances in TV shows such as The Steve Harvey Show, ER, The Game and others, as well as in the 2009 film Precious, we haven’t really seen that much of her in recent years. So we decided to do a lil’ diggin’ into what’s been up with her. We have now realized why Kimberly’s probably been mostly outta the spotlight throughout the 2000’s. Lets just say she’s been pretty busy to say the least.

The Married Life

For one, she got married to Hollywood cameraman and filmmaker, Micheal Bonewitz, in 2000. On a side note, can y’all believe Kimberly is 53?!! She damn near looks exactly like her 1986 throwback-self.

Then Kimberly’s life took on an even greater role that supercedes any acting role she has and will ever play- the role of a devoted mother to her and husband’s three children. Clearly being a mom of 3 and and a wife is enough to keep any woman busy and Kimberly revealed, in an interview with CBS2/KCA9, that she loves every minute of it. There was also one other thing she revealed in that interview about what she and her husband did for her friend, Marie Jordanou, that had us a lil’ misty eyed over here…

The Incredible Thing Kimberly Russell & Husband Did For Deceased Friend

These days Russell and Michael are even more busy and their lives are that much more fulfilled, because of the commitment they made to Kimberly’s friend, Marie, when she was sadly on her death bed. Marie had five underaged children when she passed away in 2013, and the only people she trusted to care for them after she died were Kimberly and Michael. Here’s what happened next:

Via CBS2/KCAL9: [Kimberly] Russell first met the five newest additions to her family as they stood huddled around a hospital bed. Her friend Marie was dying of lung cancer and she asked Russell to please take care of her children. “It was a moment that I will never forget, looking in her eyes and the fear that she had, and the hope that she had that everything would be OK,” Russell said. Without a second thought, and without knowing how she and her husband would manage it, she promised Marie she would. “I made a promise that I will never go back on, and that’s to be mom to her five children,” she said.

Kimberly and Michael’s family instantly grew to eight children. Their 5 adopted children also confirmed just how grateful they are to be accepted into the couple’s family with open arms:

Daughter Athina Jordanou said, “I’m so grateful to have Kim be the mom that I’m celebrating it with now.” She says she’s thankful her siblings didn’t have to split up and that they have parents who love them like their own.- via CBS2/KCAL9

What They Did Before Friend Died

Prior to Marie’s passing, Kimberly, Michael, and their friend, Amy Williams, worked diligently to chip in with Marie’s kids and they also held a big fundraiser, in Malibu, Ca., to raise money for Marie’s mounting medical expenses, after she could no longer work to earn money from her real estate career. The fundraiser event was called “A Night of Pure Love,” and held on Valentine’s day.

Via MalibuTimes: “These kids are really wonderful,” Russell, whose husband, Michael Bonewitz, set up the nonprofit to help pay for the children’s future expenses, said. “They are Malibu’s children and everyone has been wonderful in helping with this event.”

At that time, Kimberly also vowed to be there for Marie’s kids and urged others to never take life for granted:

“Marie was always about living healthy and being the best, present, loving parent in the world,” Russell said. “This is not fair. But I am determined these children will stay together here in Malibu where they’ve grown up. We all have to help. Kiss your loved ones today. Because life is so uncertain.” -via MalibuTimes

Wow…from the “Head of the Class” to a true CLASS ACT in real life, Kimberly Russell and her husband deserve a round of applause for this one.