Rae was known for her portrayal of Edna Garrett in the sitcoms "Diff'rent Strokes" and its spin-off, "The Facts of Life" (in which she had the starring role from 1979–1986). She received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy in 1982. She also appeared in two "Facts of Life" television movies: "The Facts of Life Goes to Paris" in 1982 and "The Facts of Life Reunion" in 2001. She voiced the character of "Nanny" in ' and Aunt Pristine Figg in '. She also appeared as Gammy Hart in "Girl Meets World".