Adam Rich Skips 'Eight Is Enough' TV Reunion

By Sam Brand Posted Mar 1st 2010 05:16PM

The 'Today Show' is reuniting one of television's favorite families. On Monday, the Bradfords of late '70s hit 'Eight Is Enough' gathered at NBC studios in New York City ... minus one major cast member. Adam Rich, who's had several publicized run-ins with the law since the show's cancellation, didn't make it to 30 Rock. But the "sweet faced, youngest of the clan" did write in: "I am there in spirit..."

Rich, whose bowl cut is one of TV's most memorable hairdos, was perhaps the biggest draw to a hit show about a newspaper reporter and his eight kids.

"People loved Adam Rich," Dick Van Patten, who played patriarch Tom Bradford, told host Meredith Vieira. "People were naming their newborn babies 'Nicholas,' and they were cutting their children's hair the way Nicholas had his hair cut."

Adam Rich was just 9 years old when 'Eight Is Enough's' first of five seasons premiered in 1977. He made guest appearances on shows such as 'The Love Boat,' 'ChiPs,' and 'Fantasy Island,' and did regular voicework on the animated 'Dungeons & Dragons' after the show's cancellation.

But like many child stars, Rich never reclaimed the success of his youth, and he struggled because of it.

In 1986, Rich dropped out of high school. In 1991, he was arrested for smashing a pharmacy window in an attempt to steal drugs. He was bailed out of jail by TV dad Van Patten after that incident, however he was arrested shortly thereafter for shoplifting. And in 2003, Rich was arrested for drunk driving after nearly crashing into a police car.

It is unclear just why Rich couldn't make it to New York City for the reunion. His letter, which was read by Vieira, left no clue.

"To the Bradfords, my television family," Rich wrote in, "I will always have a deep fondness for each of you in my heart. I consider it not only an honor, but a privilege to be a member of one of TV's greatest families."

'Today' will reunite Suzanne Crough, Danny Bonaduce, David Cassidy and Brian Forster of 'The Partridge Family' on Tuesday, March 2.

Tags: adam rich, danny bonaduce, david cassidy, dick van patten, eight is enough, meredith vieira, today show

Comments

(18)

Monday 01 March

By dlum1998

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Susan Richardson who played Susan Bradford was not on the Today show with rest of the cast. Does anyone know why she wasn't on.

Tuesday 02 March

By dave

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i was also wondering where susan richardson was she wasnt even mentioned

By drs

she pasted away after an accidental overdose

By mistralwind35

Susan Richardson has been battling mental illness for over a decade. They probly did not want to bring attention to this. The tabloids have taken advantage of her in the past.

By Dee

Adam Rich did NOT have a bowl cut! He had a dutch boy hair cut. Jeez!

By Juanita

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drs...no that was Lani O'Grady (Mary) who passed away. Susan Richardson is alive and well.

They mention Lani O'Grady and her death today. But did not mention Susan at all. Unless I missed it.

By Cindi Brown

As of 2000 Richardson was working as a caretaker at a retirement home in Pennsylvania.

By jack

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so marie looses a kid she gots 7 more-lots of people loose people. life is for the living, they are dead move on get over it already.

By JH

That is a vile thing to say. Each child is special and has value in this world. Your words are mean and unnecessarily cruel.

By ROBR

YOU'RE A PUTZ

of course he was depressed he is gay and you know how the mormons think about gays marie probably told him many times he was going to hell if he didnt change his way so it's their fault for hating gays-thats what you get when you throw stones at others-some people have to learn the hard way

By Shannon

Being a mormon teenager is NOT an easy thing. I know, I was once a mormon kid.

1. 3 hours of church on sundays.

2. 1 hour of morning seminary "every school morning" for high schoolers.

3. Family home evening, "every monday".

4. "Mutual" on Wednesday nights.

5. "For boys", church sponsored "Boy Scouts."

6. A visit from your "Home Teachers" once a month.

7. Periodic meetings with your Bishop, to make sure you are following church teachings. (Don't masturbate, drink, smoke, sex.)

Its strangling!! No breathing room to try and figure out who you are, someone is always there looking over your shoulder.