Lani O'Grady (Mary) played the oldest sister, but she was actually younger than Susan Richardson (Susan), Dianne Kay (Nancy) and Grant Goodeve (David).

Lani O'Grady was born 10/2/54
Susan Richardson was born 3/11/52
Dianne Kay was born 3/29/52
Grant Goodeve was born 7/6/52

I think Lani O'Grady almost looked old enough to play the mom.

Lani O'Grady (Mary) played the oldest sister, but she was actually younger than Susan Richardson (Susan), Dianne Kay (Nancy) and Grant Goodeve (David).

Lani O'Grady was born 10/2/54
Susan Richardson was born 3/11/52
Dianne Kay was born 3/29/52
Grant Goodeve was born 7/6/52

I think Lani O'Grady almost looked old enough to play the mom.

She was also younger than Laurie Walters (Joannie) who was born on Jan. 8. 1947. Laurie was also older than Betty Buckley (Abby) who was born on July 3. 1947

She was also younger than Laurie Walters (Joannie) who was born on Jan. 8. 1947 and was older than Betty Buckley (Abby) who was born on July 3. 1947
If Betty was born in 1947, how could Lani, born in 1954, have been older than her?:confused:

If Betty was born in 1947, how could Lani, born in 1954, have been older than her?:confused:

Who said Lani was older than Betty? Read the post again, I said that Laurie Walters was older than Betty not Lani :)

Ok, I read my post again and it did appear that I was saying that Lani was older than Betty and I've now corrected it, Sorry for the confusion.

The ages of the eight "kids" vs. their characters is pretty goofy. Here goes:

Oldest to youngest, on the show:

David (Grant Goodeve)
Mary (Lani O'Grady)
Joannie (Laurie Walters)
Susan (Susan Richardson)
Nancy (Dianne Kay)
Elizabeth (Connie Newton Needham)
Tommy (Willie Aames)
Nick (Adam Rich)

Oldest to youngest, in real life:

Laurie Walters (Joannie) (1/8/1947)
Susan Richardson (Susan) (3/11/1952)
Grant Goodeve (David) (7/6/1952)
Dianne Kay (Nancy) (3/29/1954)
Lani O'Grady (Mary) (10/2/1954-9/25/2001)
Connie Newton Needham (Elizabeth) (12/5/1959)
Willie Aames (Tommy) (7/15/1960)
Adam Rich (Nick) (10/12/1968)

As if this isn't confusing enough, Willie Aames and Connie Newton briefly dated, as did Grant Goodeve and Laurie Walters. Laurie Walters was also indeed 6 months older than her on-screen stepmom, Betty Buckley (Abby).

Enough to make your head spin, huh?? :dizzy:

Diane was older than Lani? Wow!!!!!!!!!

Something is not right with those years. How could Joni be older than the actress who played her own step-mother? I think the dates must have gotten mixed up in that source.

Something is not right with those years. How could Joni be older than the actress who played her own step-mother? I think the dates must have gotten mixed up in that source.

The birthdates are correct:

Laurie Walters:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0910288/

Betty Buckley:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000990/

I know the source is from IMDB (or whatever other common source they got their info from). I'm just questioning the validity of it. Sometimes actors (and their mangaement) lie about their ages.

Here's the same info from an EIE fansite and a supposed confirmation of Laurie Walters' birthdate:

http://www.eightisenough.com/0860.htm


Here's Betty Buckley's website:

http://www.bettybuckley.com/

I don't think you understand. Never mind...

I don't think you understand. Never mind...
Nobody understands YOU.

I don't think you understand. Never mind...

I do understand. If you have any information which is contrary to the birthdates given, please share it with us. Otherwise, we will accept what is given.