Eight Is Enough: Where the Cast Is Today (2024)

The ABC comedy-drama Eight is Enough was a charming show based on the life of newspaper columnist Thomas Braden, who wrote a book of the same name reflecting on his time as a busy father of eight children. The show's cast included Dick Van Patten, Lani O'Grady, Connie Needham, Susan Richardson, and Betty Buckley. The youngest child, Nicholas (played by Adam Rich), was a fan favorite of audiences.

After running for four years from 1977 to 1981, the series was canceled in the fifth season due to declining ratings and increasing production costs. However, the popularity and longevity of the series led to two follow-up TV Movies, 1987's Eight is Enough: A Family Reunion and 1989's An Eight is Enough Wedding, which saw the return of the entire cast from season two to five.

To celebrate the legacy of one of the most beloved families of the '70s, we look at where the cast of Eight of Enough is today.

Dick Van Patten (Thomas "Tom" Bradford Sr.)

Born on December 9, 1928, in New York, Dick Van Patten started his career at a young age, making his Broadway debut at only seven years old. Patten would become a beloved actor for his comedy and drama skills, with a massive 167 credits throughout his career across TV and film. Outside of Eight is Enough, Dick Van Patten is best known for his hilarious many roles in Mel Brooks' films, as well as playing King Roland in Spaceballs and the Abbot in Robin Hood: Men in Tights.

Dick Van Patten sadly passed away on June 23, 2015 in Santa Monica, California at the age of 86, due to complications with diabetes. Outside of acting, Patten was also loved for his work as an animal rights advocate, founding the National Guide Dog Month to raise awareness and money for non-profit guide dog schools. He even co-founded the healthy pet food company Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods in 1989.

Diana Hyland (Joan Bradford)

Before her role on Eight is Enough, Diana Hyland appeared in numerous TV shows, including the award-winning The Twilight Zone, The Patty Duke Show, and Peyton Place. Hyland also saw great success in the film world, appearing in The Chase and The Boy in the Plastic Bubble; the latter won her an Emmy Award for 'Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama Special.'

Diana Hyland only appeared in the first season of Eight is Enough in only four episodes. Tragically, Hyland lost her battle against breast cancer during the filming and passed away at the young age 41 on March 27, 1977. Her death was written into the show, and Dick Van Patten's Tom was portrayed as widowed for the first season, and was remarried in the second.

Betty Buckley (Abby Bradford)

Betty Buckley joined the cast in the second season of Eight is Enough as Tom Bradford's new wife Abby. Born on July 3, 1947 in Big Spring, Texas, actor and singer Betty Buckley has an expansive career across film, TV, stage, and concert halls. She has been nominated twice for the Daytime Emmy and Grammy Awards. The actor also won the illustrious Tony Award for her performance as Grizabella, the Glamour Cat in Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic hit musicalCats.

Betty Buckley has remained a prominent figure in theater, receiving two Honorary Doctorates for her contribution to Musical Theater from The Boston Conservatory and Marymount Manhattan College, as well as a Texas Medal of Arts Award for Theater, and three Lifetime Achievement Awards for her contributions to theater from the New England Theater Conference, The Shubert Theater in New Haven, and the Terry Schreiber Studio and Theatre. Buckely's most recent acting credits include roles in the TV show Supergirl, Preacher, and M. Night Shyamalan's Split as Dr. Karen Fletcher.

Grant Goodeve (David Bradford)

Born on July 6, 1952 in Middlebury, Connecticut, Grant Goodeve found success after moving to Los Angeles, California in 1975, with his first role on the fifth-season of the show Emergency!. His role in Eight is Enough as the eldest son of Tom came by chance after actor Mark Hamill, initially cast in the part, backed out to play Luke Skywalker in Star Wars.

Since appearing in Eight is Enough, Goodeve has worked consistently in the industry, with appearances on such shows as Murder She Wrote, Northern Exposure, and David Lynch's Twin Peaks. Grant Goodeve has also seen great success as a voice actor in video games and animated features. His most recent role was in the 2021 movie Christmas in the Pines.

Lani O'Grady (Mary Bradford)

Lani O'Grady played Tom's eldest daughter Mary in the classic sitcom. After Eight is Enough, Lani O'Grady went on to have a few minor roles before ultimately retiring as an actor in the '80s and choosing to follow her mother's path, becoming a talent agent. O'Grady struggled with anxiety and addiction issues, and she was tragically found dead in her home of an overdose in Valencia, California on September 25, 2001.

Laurie Walters (Joan "Joanie" Bradford)

Laurie Walters initially had an interest in wildlife conservation for a career, but decided to take theater during college instead, and briefly attended UC Santa Barbara. She then moved to Berkeley, California, and was integral in forming the Berkeley Repertory Theater. Eight is Enough is her most notable screen role, where she played Joanie Bradford, another of Tom's daughters. Walters retired from acting in the late '90s to become a dedicated environmentalist. More recently, she has returned to the stage as an actor and director in Ojai, California.

Susan Richardson (Susan Bradford)

Susan Richardson was born in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, and started acting in school productions as early as high school. She moved to Hollywood in 1971 and began her career as an actor, landing a small part in the movie American Grafitti and the TV show Happy Days, though her most notable role remains as Susan in Eight is Enough.

Susan Richardson officially retired from acting in 1991, focusing her efforts elsewhere. She worked as a caregiver for a time. However, in a 2013 interview with The Huffington Post the actor talked about her severe medical problems and poverty.

Dianne Kay (Nancy Bradford)

Born on March 29, 1954 in Phoenix, Arizona, Dianne Kay's first role would be a guest appearance on the popular action programStarsky and Hutch. Eight is Enough served as Kay's most notable acting credit, though she also later appeared in minor roles in TV series like Glitter and Once a Hero. Her last acting credit came with a small role in an episode of Diagnosis Murder. Dianne Kay has been out of the limelight since then and, as of 2015, is living in the Pacific Palisades as Dianne Kay Silvera.

Connie Newton/Needham (Elizabeth Bradford)

Connie Newton, who changed her name to Connie Needham at the start of the show's fourth season when she married the series set designer David Needham, played the role of Elizabeth Bradford in Eight is Enough. Like the rest of the Bradford daughters, Newton's career after Eight is Enough comprised mostly of guest appearances, which concluded in her last role as a waitress in an episode of Ellen in 1991.

Following her acting career, Connie began working as a dance instructor in Orange County, California. In July 2009, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer but was able to make a full recovery. She divorced her husband in 2005 and now goes by Connie Newton again.

Willie Aames (Thomas "Tommy" Bradford Jr.)

After his time in Eight is Enough playing another of Tom's sons, Willie Aames continued to develop his career as an actor, notably playing the role of Buddy Lemeck in Charles in Charge. He would also find a degree of cult status in portraying the superhero Bibleman, a Christian superhero series which ran for five seasons. He has since been active as an actor, writer, producer, and director in both film and television.

Willie Aames is also well-known for his work outside of film, including a five-year hiatus where he became a 6-star cruise director and visited over 127 countries. He has also become admired for his philanthropic endeavors, including working with the Lost Angeles Mission and Make-A-Wish Foundation. Aames is currently married to Winnie Hung, and they have two children, Christopher and Harleigh.

Adam Rich (Nicholas Bradford)

The Bradford family's youngest and most beloved member undeniably was Nicholas Bradford, played by Adam Rich. After Eight is Enough, Rich would have minor roles in several popular TV shows, including CHiPs, Code Red, and Small Wonder. He also appeared in the film Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star alongside other well-known child actors. Sadly, Adam Rich passed on January 7, 2023, at 54, due to an accidental overdose. Leading up to his passing, Rich was open about his struggles with depression and substance abuse throughout the years.