I can't believe this! How traumatizing. I used to watch this show on FX in the afternoons when I was young and then hadn't seen it for years after that. Then, with it popping up last night on the new "ME Too" station in Chicago, I got to see it again and decided to come find out if it was on DVD or not--and thanks to the magic of the internet, I do a little browsing and discover that adorable little Buffy didn't live many more years after the show was done!

How awful. :(

I thought her death had been common knowledge for years, I guess I was wrong.

I was watching FA in reruns in the 70's when she died. It was a big shock. A real tragedy. :(

I was watching FA in reruns in the 70's when she died.

Likewise.

I learned of it maybe 10 years later, on one of those "Where are they now" type shows....apparently it had a lot to do with her co-star (The kid who played Jody) giving up show business for good

I thought her death had been common knowledge for years, I guess I was wrong.

Well to put it in perspective, I'm only 23 now and it was I think in the early to mid 90s that I was watching the show on FX. After that, it was very infrequent that I would hear about or really even think about the show (other than when that new version aired on the WB a few years ago).

So now that I went out and sought information on the show, that's how I finally discovered it.

Apparently it had a lot to do with her co-star (The kid who played Jody) giving up show business for good

Johnnie Whitaker and I had no idea until a few years ago that he was actually younger than Anissa Jones.

I remember watching the show in reruns and the news announced her death. It was front page. Very sad.

I remember E did a true Hollywood story on her back in the 90's I think. She had a very troubled home life and she never really wanted to be an actress.

Johnnie Whitaker and I had no idea until a few years ago that he was actually younger than Anissa Jones.
yeah, his name was "on the tip of my tongue"

It's sad that their's only 2 members of the cast left. :(

Well to put it in perspective, I'm only 23 now and it was I think in the early to mid 90s that I was watching the show on FX.

That makes sense, I never considered your age when I made that reply. To be honest with you though, I've also discovered a few actors/actresses that had passed away and wasn't aware of it.

It's sad that their's only 2 members of the cast left. :(

I know!! :(

I also feel that way when I think about the Munsters.

That makes sense, I never considered your age when I made that reply. To be honest with you though, I've also discovered a few actors/actresses that had passed away and wasn't aware of it.

Yes! It's just such a surprise to me, and part of the surprise is how young she was! It's horrible now to realize that whenever I see the show, I'm seeing her at an age that's not very much younger than the final age she actually lived to.

Often times these child actors end up having tragic lives. The parents force them into the acting business, the kids are not happy with it and they cannot lead a normal kids life. Their home life is not a loving environment, the kids feel pressured and this is why they end up turning to drugs and alcohol. Child actors are fine as long as they're happy with what they're doing and are not forced into acting by the parents. They need to come from a loving home, given support by their parents and it's the parents job the child is given as happy and normal a life as possible because of the celebrity status.

Often times these child actors end up having tragic lives. The parents force them into the acting business, the kids are not happy with it and they cannot lead a normal kids life. Their home life is not a loving environment. This is why they end up turning to drugs and alcohol. Child actors are fine as long as they're happy with what they're doing and are not forced into acting by the parents. They need to come from a loving home, given support by their parents and it's the parents job the child is given as happy and normal a life as possible because of the celebrity status.
Very true. And also, parents of these child actors should not be forcing their children to work to help SUPPORT THEIR PARENTS and pay the bills. Parents should be providing a roof over the head of their child, not the other way around. The parents are the groundwork for their children, they need to give stability.

Very true. And also, parents of these child actors should not be forcing their children to work to help SUPPORT THEIR PARENTS and pay the bills. Parents should be providing a roof over the head of their child, not the other way around. The parents are the groundwork for their children, they need to give stability.
This certainly isnt anything new.....The California law that says parents have to put a part of the money their children make into a fund is named for Jackie Coogan, a child star that worked in the silent film industry (Hes best known for the Chaplin Classic "The Kid" and as Uncle Fester, some 45 years later); so, the parents taking the child actor's money problem is nothing NEW.

This certainly isnt anything new.....The California law that says parents have to put a part of the money their children make into a fund is named for Jackie Coogan, a child star that worked in the silent film industry (Hes best known for the Chaplin Classic "The Kid" and as Uncle Fester, some 45 years later); so, the parents taking the child actor's money problem is nothing NEW.
Right, but we also know that parents can ask a court to release that money they put in a trust if they have reasons to do so, as in the case of Jaimee Foxworth (LOL) from Family Matters. Her parents went to court asking the judge to release all the money she earned so they can SAVE THEIR ASSES from bills bills bills and losing their home. :rolleyes: The judge gave them that money. Those parents were foolish thinking they could have a free ride because their daughter had ONE ACTING GIG on a hit tv show.

Very true. And also, parents of these child actors should not be forcing their children to work to help SUPPORT THEIR PARENTS and pay the bills. Parents should be providing a roof over the head of their child, not the other way around. The parents are the groundwork for their children, they need to give stability.

Yep, absolutely correct.

I can't believe this! How traumatizing. I used to watch this show on FX in the afternoons when I was young and then hadn't seen it for years after that. Then, with it popping up last night on the new "ME Too" station in Chicago, I got to see it again and decided to come find out if it was on DVD or not--and thanks to the magic of the internet, I do a little browsing and discover that adorable little Buffy didn't live many more years after the show was done!

How awful. :(

Oh, I've known this for years.

Yes, Anissa died at age 18 of a drug overdose. Johnnie Whitaker has said that she'd probably still be alive today if she had better/"real" friends. Like the people she hung out with weren't the greatest.

I used to think (and still do I suppose) that she was one of the cutest child star actresses of all time.

Yes, her home life had much to do with her descent into the drug culture time. Over the years , I have met both Kathy Garver(Cissy), and John Whittacker (Jody), although they both went on, in the case of John 'Sigmund and the Sea Monsters', and Kathy did 'cartoon voice overs, the tragedy of Annisa spooed them and they were on to other things. Sebastian Cabot(French) also passed away soon after the show was over, and Brian Keith (Uncle Bill) was suffereing from Emphysima and ended his life. :( Still, in those days, TV shows aimed toward children were far superior in content and responsiblity. Still, enjoyed by kids of all ages worldwide. Family Affair remains one of the sweetest shows ever on television, from a time when kids were still allowed to be kids.

I too have had the feeling of being "broadsided" discovering someone I am a fan of has passed. These days I do my best to pay more attention to those things but you can find plenty of online assistance from reliable sources. Checking

http://www.whosaliveandwhosdead.com/ and
celebritydeathbeeper.com helps. You can get email notices from one or both that let you know when many in the industry pass.

Hope that helps!

Now, they're distroying children's lives through reality shows. Those poor kids on John and Kate plus 8, its not fair to over-expose those kids in that trashy show. And that psycho-octomom wants to do the same thing! :mad:

Now, they're distroying children's lives through reality shows. Those poor kids on John and Kate plus 8, its not fair to over-expose those kids in that trashy show. And that psycho-octomom wants to do the same thing! :mad:
It really is sick. I really applaud Paul Petersen (Jeff from the Donna Reed Show) who has become an advocate on behalf of past and present child stars. He is currently in the process of suing the octomom!!

Here is his blog:

http://www.minorcon.org/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpXReLR5ouQ
A great tribute video for Anissa Jones. It brought tears to my eyes.

Another sad note to this story as that Anissa's brother died of an overdose several years after she did. :(

It really is sick. I really applaud Paul Petersen (Jeff from the Donna Reed Show) who has become an advocate on behalf of past and present child stars. He is currently in the process of suing the octomom!!

Here is his blog:

http://www.minorcon.org/


I was trying to think of who that was. There was a documentary on TV kids several years ago, and he's been involved with alot of child stars from the 50's to the '80's. There was some kind of forum show too, where a dozen or so former child actors discussed their experiences, Patty Duke was even there. They spoke of both Anissa Jones and Dana Plato dying so young.

It really is sick. I really applaud Paul Petersen (Jeff from the Donna Reed Show) who has become an advocate on behalf of past and present child stars. He is currently in the process of suing the octomom!!

Here is his blog:

http://www.minorcon.org/

I just read that Monika. Thats interesting. I'm glad to know what the Petersons are doing, and that it includes reality TV children. Its nice to know I'm not the only one that thinks this tv exposure is wrong!

I just read that Monika. Thats interesting. I'm glad to know what the Petersons are doing, and that it includes reality TV children. Its nice to know I'm not the only one that thinks this tv exposure is wrong!
It's nice to see a former child star do so much to help other past & present child stars. Paul reached out to Dana Plato before she died, and was also trying to help Brian Bonsall (Family Ties). Keep up the good fight, Paul!!

It really is sick. I really applaud Paul Petersen (Jeff from the Donna Reed Show) who has become an advocate on behalf of past and present child stars. He is currently in the process of suing the octomom!!

Here is his blog:

http://www.minorcon.org/

I hope to HECK he wins! Everytime I hear her called "Octomom" I think of the octopus at the Seattle Aquarium. Come to think of it, there is a slight resemblance!:lol:


Sorry, that was terrible of me to say that in the middle of such a serious thread!:nonono:

Anyway, that video was absolutely beautiful and I love that song! Makes me want to watch Family Affair again!

I hope to HECK he wins! Everytime I hear her called "Octomom" I think of the octopus at the Seattle Aquarium. Come to think of it, there is a slight resemblance!:lol:


Sorry, that was terrible of me to say that in the middle of such a serious thread!:nonono:

Anyway, that video was absolutely beautiful and I love that song! Makes me want to watch Family Affair again!
She IS like an octopus - arms reaching out in all directions for money and attention. :mad:

She IS like an octopus - arms reaching out in all directions for money and attention. :mad:

I wish those kids could be taken away from her. It may be too late for the older 6, but the octuplets should be removed from that setting while they're still young, and maybe they could have a chance at a normal functional life!

I can't believe this! How traumatizing. I used to watch this show on FX in the afternoons when I was young and then hadn't seen it for years after that. Then, with it popping up last night on the new "ME Too" station in Chicago, I got to see it again and decided to come find out if it was on DVD or not--and thanks to the magic of the internet, I do a little browsing and discover that adorable little Buffy didn't live many more years after the show was done!

How awful. :(

Do we dare tell him about Brian Keith?

I thought her death had been common knowledge for years, I guess I was wrong.
I still lived at home but I don't remember how old I was. My mother ws in the kitchen eatting breakfest and reading the paper. I had come out of my room I think and she told me she died. It was so sad. I just saw Jonny (Jodie) and Kathy(Sissy) on the old Jane Whitney show and Kathy had said Annisa was offered the role in the Exercist and turned it down. I didn't know that.

I was born in 2002 so my Mom actually told me about her Death when I was 8 years old and we were watching the show. I was so sad because she was my favorite on the show.

Yes, her home life had much to do with her descent into the drug culture time. Over the years , I have met both Kathy Garver(Cissy), and John Whittacker (Jody), although they both went on, in the case of John 'Sigmund and the Sea Monsters', and Kathy did 'cartoon voice overs, the tragedy of Annisa spooed them and they were on to other things. Sebastian Cabot(French) also passed away soon after the show was over, and Brian Keith (Uncle Bill) was suffereing from Emphysima and ended his life. :( Still, in those days, TV shows aimed toward children were far superior in content and responsiblity. Still, enjoyed by kids of all ages worldwide. Family Affair remains one of the sweetest shows ever on television, from a time when kids were still allowed to be kids.

I think what also sent Brian Keith over the edge was the recent suicide of his daughter. I don't think that it's an understatement that Anissa's life was all around tragic. Due to her small figure and baby face, she was cast to play a six year old on Family Affair even though she was in reality, nine at the time. And because Anissa was the main reason for Family Affair's booming success, the powers that be refused to allow Buffy to grow up. Consequently, Anissa was forced to wear pig tails, pinafore dresses, and Mary Jane's until she was 13 years old, when the show was finally, blessedly canceled.

After Family Affair was cancelled, Anissa turned her back on acting completely. She tried to support herself as a counter girl at a donuts shop. But so many customers recognized her and asked her embarrassing questions about why she was working there, that she had to quit.

Even when Anissa wasn't working on Family Affair during its run, she was still working non-stop, traveling around the country doing appearances as Buffy. So, when she finally stood up to her mother (who pretty much treated her daughter as a meal ticket) and said "no more", there was friction and abuse.

TMC = I agree I would find it hard to get back to non show business life job after being seen by millions nationwide. People would compare you to your character and some plot line you had. I did see a E story of her life and it was tough. She was only a little girl. Real life family was weak. Her tv character's family had more to offer. A loving uncle, nice brother and sister and a manservant.

The proposed "Family Affair" in-character reunion in the eighties would have needed a Fake Buffy and a Fake Mr. French. Brian Keith nixed it. He felt that without Anissa and Sebastian, there was no "Family Affair".

Another child actor destroyed by Hollywood.

Who knows what happened in Buffy's private life. I'm sure it must have been kinda rough just trying to work a normal job and have people ask you about Buffy. But, heck, you get used to that kind of thing and if Buffy had lived long enough I'm sure she would have been able to handle it. Unfortunately she made some serious mistakes that literally cost her her life. I think her overdose was an accident. But, when you're young and foolish sometimes you don't get a 2nd chance.

Anissa's druggie friends helped themselves to her stuff and stole her car while she lay dead in that bed in Oceanside.