Eight Is Enoughwas a rarity when it first premiered in 1977. The show was based on the book of the same name by columnist Tom Bradford, and chronicles his life and adventures raising eight children. Long-form series aren’t usually based on novels because a given novel can’t be stretched into a full show. But,Eight Is Enoughbroke the mold and offered humor and heart to audiences thanks to its talented ensemble cast. Although the show isn’t a classic,Eight Is Enoughis known as a forgotten 1980s sitcom.
Since the series centered on Tom, his wife, and their eight children, the cast was large. SomeEight Is Enoughcast members went on to become major stars on the stage and screen. However, others, especially those who started as children, faced many issues during and after the show’s run. Sadly, several of the cast passed away after, or in one case, during the show’s run. After the show’s cancelation, the Bradford family came back together in two TV movies:Eight Is Enough: A Family Reunion(1987) andAn Eight Is Enough Wedding(1989).
Dick Van Patten as “Tom” Bradford Sr.
Van Patten Passed Away In 2015
Character:Dick Van Patten played the family patriarch of Tom Bradford Sr. Just like the author the character is based on, Tom is a journalist, specifically a newspaper columnist for the fictional paper, theSacramento Register, who lives with his wife and eight children. Starting in season 2, Tom has to raise the children on his own after his wife’s death, though he does remarry. Tom is an understandably patient character, considering that hehas to provide and care for eight children.Van Patten’s depiction of a sensitive single father was rare in the late 1970s.
Prior to his work onEight Is Enough, Dick Van Patten was in the cast of TV seriesMama. When he was drafted into the army, he was replaced by a then-unknown James Dean.
Where They Are Now:Van Pattenpassed away in 2015 at the age of 86from a diabetic stroke (viaNew York Times). AfterEight Is Enoughended, Van Patten starred in several movies and TV shows. He frequently collaborated with comedy legend Mel Brooks, appearing inHigh Anxiety, Spaceballs,andRobin Hood: Men in Tights.Van Patten was also an animal lover. He even founded his own pet food company called Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Pet Foods in 1989.
Diana Hyland As Joan Wells Bradford
Hyland Passed Away During The Show’s Run
Character: Diana Hyland played the matriarch of the Bradford family, Joan Wells Bradford, for only four episodes. Joan was portrayed as a kind homemaker, raising her family of eight children with her husband. However, viewers didn’t get to know much about Joan, as the character wasofficially killed off in season 2, after Hyland’s death.
Where They Are Now:In early 1977, just beforeEight Is Enoughbegan airing, Hyland was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent chemotherapy and a mastectomy, but her health continued to decline (viaPeople). Hyland died with her boyfriend, John Travolta, her co-star Dick Van Patten and his wife by her side. Before her death, Hyland starred in a number of TV shows, includingThe Green HornetandThe Twilight Zone. She also appeared in the filmThe Chasealongside Marlon Brando, Jane Fonda, and Robert Redford.
Betty Buckley as Sandra Sue “Abby” Mitchell Abbott Bradford
Buckley Continues To Act
Character:Betty Buckley had an unusual start on the show. After Diana Hyland passed away, Buckley took on the role of Sandra Sue “Abby” Mitchell Abbott Bradford. Buckley’s character, Abby was introduced in season 2 as Tom’s love interest.She eventually married Tom and becamestepmother to all eight children. Abby supported the family as a schoolteacher while providing kindness and laughs. Just before her stint onEight Is Enough, Buckley played Miss Collins, the gym teacher in the original 1976 version ofCarrie.
Where They Are Now:Buckely continued on with theEight Is Enoughcast until the show’s end in 1981. Since then, she has starred in a plethora of movies and television shows. In 1983, Buckley played a country music singer inTender Merciesalongside Robert Duvall and Tess Harper. In the film Buckley sang “Over You”, which was nominated for anAcademy Award for Best Original Song. More recently, Buckley starred in M. Night Shyamalan’sSplit.She also guest-starred in series likeSupergirlandPreacher.
Grant Goodeve as David Bradford
Goodeve Has Continued To Act, Including Video Game Voiceover Work
Character:Goodeve starred asthe Bradford’s eldest son, David. The character was known for wanting a fulfilling life outside the home. Goodeve achieved teen idol status for his role as David. He also sang the show’s theme song. Originally,Star Warsstar Mark Hamill was cast as David. Hamill even appears in the pilot ofEight Is Enough, but he was offered the role of Luke Skywalker, and asked to get out of his contract to star in the film. The studio approved his request and Goodeve took on the role of David for the duration of the show.
Where they are now:Goodeve appeared in the twoEight Is Enoughspin-off films. After the show ended, Goodeve took on guest roles in classic series likeTJ HookerandThe Love Boat. In the late 1980s, Goodeve moved his family to the Pacific Northwest where he worked at local TV station KING-TV and hosted the station’s travel series. Goodeve has continued to act, though his last credit was in 2021. He alsomade a name for himself providing his voice for video games likeTeam Fortess 2andStar Fox: Assault.
Lani O’Grady as Mary Bradford
O’Grady Passed Away In 2002
Character:Lani O’Grady starred asMary Bradford, the second-oldest Bradford inEight Is Enough. Mary was a kind and spunky girl who eventually became a fan favorite on the series. O’Grady’s status as a child star makes sense considering that she came froma famous Hollywood family.O’Grady’s mother was a child talent agent while her brother was one of the originalMouseketeersand starred in the classic sitcom,My Three Sons (viaYahoo!).
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Where They Are Now:AfterEight Is Enough, O’Grady had trouble landing acting roles. After suffering fromblackouts in her memory and agoraphobia, she decided to become a talent agent like her mother. O’Grady also dealt with substance abuse issues and alcoholism throughout her life. In 2002, at the age of 46, she died of “multiple drug intoxication” (viaE! Entertainment News). In an autopsy, doctors found toxic of Vicodin and Prozac in her bloodstream.
Susan Richardson as Susan Bradford
The Former Actress Lives With Several Health Issues
Character:Richardson originally began her career as a child actor before finding success asSusan, the third-oldest Bradford onEight Is Enough. Susan is a typical teen who has to endure the foibles of growing up while also dealing with being a part of a large family. During the show’s run, Richardson became pregnant, which was written into the plot. Richardson claims that she was forced to lose all of her pregnancy weight, or she would be kicked off the show. Finding it difficult to lose weight through traditional means, Richardson turned to cocaine.
Where They Are Now:Richardson’s acting career hit a snag afterEight Is Enoughended. Since she stopped acting in the late 1980s, Richardson has fallen on hard times, and has been living in a trailer in Wagontown, PA since 2013. The actress has also suffered from a number of health issues, including a series of mini-strokes and diabetes (viaHuffPost).
Connie Needham As Elizabeth Bradford
She Works As A Dancing Instructor
Character: Connie Needham played the teenage Elizabeth Bradford for 112 episodes. She was credited as Connie Newton until shemarriedEight Is Enough’sset designer, David Needham.AlthoughEight Is Enoughwas Needham’s biggest role, she also played two roles in the 1980s classic show,Fame.In an Emmy-nominated episode, Needham played a dancer with multiple sclerosis.
Where They Are Now:Needham continued to act on television, like in the aforementioned series,Fame. She also went on to guest star in shows likePolice Squad!andL.A. Law.Her final appearance on screen was as a waitress in Ellen DeGeneres' sitcom,Ellen.Since 2006, Needham has been working as a dance instructor in Orange County, California. In 2009, it was revealed that Needham was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, though she has since made a full recovery.
Dianne Kay As Nancy Bradford
Retired From Acting
Character:Dianne Kay played the fourth-oldest Bradford, Nancy. She often providedcomic relief to the family dynamic with her quick-witted personality.Nancy was a series regular but did not appear in as many episodes as some of the other characters. While acting inEight Is Enough, Kay also appeared in Steven Spielberg’s World War 2 comedy,1941.
Where They Are Now:Shortly afterEight Is Enough,Kay starred in the short-lived drama,Glitter. Kay also had guest stints on shows likeFantasy IslandandLove Boat.Kay is nowretired from acting.Her last acting credit was in 1999 where she played the wife of a serial killer on Dick Van Dyke’s detective series,Diagnosis: Murder.
Laurie Walters As Joan “Joanie” Bradford
She’s Also An Environmentalist
Character:Before going into acting, Walters was adedicated environmentalist.OnEight Is Enough, Walters delighted audiences asthe hilarious but dim-witted Joan “Joanie” Bradford, named after her mother. DuringEight Is Enough’srun, Walters snagged guest appearances inLove BoatandFantasyIsland,like some of her other co-stars.
Where They Are Now:AfterEight Is Enoughended, Walters appeared in shows likeCheersandDuet. She hasnot acted on screen since 1993.However, Walters has acted in plays around Southern California, and even directed some in Ojai. Additionally,Walters remains a dedicated environmental activist, as she is involved with the LA-based organization, Tree People.
Willie Aames as Tommy Bradford Jr.
Became A Cruise Director
Character:Willie Aames began his career as a child actor in series likeGunsmokeandThe Wonderful World of Disney. In 1977,Aames landed the role of Tommy Bradford Jr.inEight Is Enough. During the run of the show, he became a teen idol along with co-star Grant Goodeve. While filming the series, Aames played in a band called Willie Aames & Paradise, where he was the lead singer and guitarist. His band made multiple appearances onEight Is Enough.
Where They Are Now:AfterEight Is Enough, Aames continued to have a successful career in television. Notably, he played Buddy Lembeck in the classic sitcom,Charles in Charge. Aames has been open about hisalcohol addiction.He discussed his career and issues with substance abuse in an interview with CBS (viaCBS). In 2010, after facing some financial hardships, Aames became a cruise director for Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Adam Rich as Nicholas Bradford
He Passed Away In 2023
Character:Adam Rich playedthe baby of the Bradford family, Nicholas. InEight Is Enough,Nicholas is the sweet little boy who offers both laughs and endearing scenes. Rich was cast in the show at the young age of eight. He also appeared in commercials for Nabisco and Betty Crocker. DuringEight Is Enough’s run, he guest-starred in multiple sitcoms includingCode RedandGun Shy.
Where They Are Now:Rich had a few guest stints on shows likeSt. ElsewhereandBaywatch. He battled substance abuse issues and completed drug rehabilitation therapy multiple times. In 1993, Rich went on a shoplifting spree at a pharmacy in Los Angeles. He was eventuallybailed out by his TV dad fromEight Is Enough, Dick Van Patten.Rich died in 2023 at the age of 54 from an accidental fentanyl overdose.
Eight Is Enough
Cast
The life of journalist Tom Bradford and his eight very independent and individual children are forced to deal with the ups and downs of life while living under the same roof.
