Those who remember the Bradford family from “Eight is Enough”, fondly recall the show’s highs and lows. It was famous for its ability to make you laugh, and put you into a solemn state. The show ran for a period of time before it ended. Now, the stars have banded together once again, minus one. Their reason for the meeting is to commemorate the death of their fellow co-star, Adam Rich. He passed away at the age of 54.
Adam Rich from “Eight is Enough”
Adam Rich died last Saturday, 7th January. He was 54 years, and an actor, well-known for his role as Nicholas Bradford in “Eight is Enough.” The youngest of eight siblings that belong to Tom Bradford, played by Dick Van Patten. Tom’s wife and the mother of his children passed away and he remarried. His children were quite different from Tom who was rigid and strict. But, his new wife, Abby Abbott played by Better Buckley, was able to help them understand each other better.
His co-star siblings were known as Mary, David, Nancy, Susan, Tommy, Joanie, Elizabeth, and Nicholas. Played by Lani O’Grady, Grant Goodeve, Diane Kay, Susan Richardson, Willie Aames, Laurie Walters, Connie Needham, and Adam Rich respectively. the show ran from 1977 to 1981. However, when it ended it wasn’t long before Adam retreated from anything to do with show business. He disliked the idea of being famous, nor the attention that came along with it.
Cause of death
A family member spoke to TMZ, informing them of the Eight is enough youngest sibling’s death. however, they did not elaborate on the cause of death. According to the report, another member of the family had gone to check on him at his house and found him lying on the ground – dead.
Adam’s body has been taken off for further investigation, although there are no serious suspicions as to the actual cause of death. Allegedly, Adam’s mental health was an area of concern. From a young age, he struggled with depression which few medications helped. in fact, he was just about untreatable. Furthermore, he wasn’t able to speak freely about his problems. The stigma of mental health took its toll on him.
His publicist, Danny Deraney, said: “He was just a very kind, generous, loving soul. Being a famous actor is not necessarily what he wanted to be. … He had no ego, not an ounce of it.”
Words from Eight is Enough star
Additionally, the Eight is Enough actor Tweeted about his depression. He wrote in September last year: “Human beings weren’t built to endure mental illness. The mere fact that some people consider those to be weak, or have a lack of will is totally laughable … because it’s the total opposite! It takes a very, very strong person … a warrior if you will … to battle such illnesses.”
Adam Rich also posted a picture of his younger self in the prime of his acting career posing with Mickey Rooney. He was a child star from when Adam was young. In the picture, he wrote about how everyone thought he was the new kid actor on the block just like Mickey. “Everyone used to say to me, ‘You are the modern day Mickey Rooney,'” he tweeted. “But when Mickey Rooney told me that himself, it meant a helluva a lot more to me!”
Where are they now?
As curiosity goes, many people might be curious about where the stars of “Eight is Enough” are these days. Well, Laurie Walters, who played Joanie Bradford went on to become an environmentalist. She attempted acting in a few shows after Eight is Enough ended, but nothing picked up. Diane Kay, who played Nancy Bradford, has not acted since 1999, although she did co-star in a steven Spielberg WWII comedy called 1941. Elizabeth Bradford was played by Connie Needham, who went on to appear in the Ellen Degeneres sitcom, Police Squad, L.A. Law, and Ellen. These days she lives in California and is a dance instructor.
Lani O’Grady, who played Mary Bradford, went on the play MRS. Kramer in the all-time popular soap opera Days of Our Lives. She later retired from acting after she developed agoraphobia. Willie Aames, who played Tommy Bradford, also played in Dungeons & Dragons from 1983 to 1985. As well as a series of reality TV shows like Bootcamp and MacMillan River Adventures.
Grant Goodeve, who played David Bradford, continued his involvement in the entertainment industry. In 1989 he moved his family to the Pacific Northwest and hosted the Home & Garden Television’s If Walls Could Talk and Homes of Our Heritage between 200 and 2004. Diana Hyland, who played Joan Bradford, died of breast cancer on March 27, 1977. And finally, we know Adam Rich passed away at 54 years old.
Sources
- “Adam Rich, former ‘Eight Is Enough’ child star, dies at 54.” NPR. January 8, 2023
- “‘Eight is Enough’ Star Adam Rich Dead at 54.” TMZ. 1/8/2023