http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/31/susan-richardson-broke-eight-is-enough_n_2590146.html?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl5|sec1_lnk1%26pLid%3D264195

Former "Eight Is Enough" star Susan Richardson is reportedly broke, living in a trailer and suffering from "devastating" health problems.

The 60-year-old spoke with the National Enquirer, telling the magazine that she doesn't want to complain too much, but she admits she has her fair share of problems.

The former actress was cast to play the fourth oldest child on "Eight Is Enough" back in 1977 and played the role of Susan Bradford for five seasons. Her career stalled once the series ended, and her last credit is the 1998 TV movie "An Eight Is Enough Wedding."

Today, Richardson is wracked with medical problems, living with diabetes and having suffered several strokes. She has a digestive problem that she said have caused her to lose all of her teeth, and her weight has plummeted to a mere 60 pounds.

"I had a series of mini-strokes. Then I discovered I had a rare disorder that made my esophagus go spastic," she told the magazine (via Hollywood.com)

Financial problems soon followed her ailing health, and now Richardson lives in a "rotting trailer" in Wagontown, Pa., that she can't even afford to heat.

"There’s always something wrong with it. I desperately need a new trailer but I can’t afford it," she said.

Richardson isn't the only sitcom star to have fallen on hard times. Like Richardson, former "Happy Days" star Erin Moran is also broke and living like a recluse in Indiana, after being evicted from her home and a trailer park. The former actress has found herself in nothing but trouble, even getting in a drunken brawl with her 72-year-old mother-in-law last October.

BTW, the movie, An Eight is Enough Wedding, was in 1989, not 1998.

That's so sad, I hope her situation improves.

That's too bad. I watched Eight is Enough back in the day.

Really sorry to hear this, she was my favorite of the Bradford siblings.

Really sorry to hear this, she was my favorite of the Bradford siblings.
She was mine too. I had a crush on her at the time. It's sad what has happened to her.

Wow any one of those medical problems would be hard to live with. It must be very hard to deal with all of those problems at once. Doesn't she have any family or friends who could help her?

I really wonder how much of this is true? She only weighs 60 pounds?

It turns out that I live a short distance from Wagontown PA.

I hope that her problems become less severe!

I had a crush on her at the time.

Likewise. :D

It is disheartening to hear this. I loved EIE and there's a special place in my heart for all the cast on the show. I really hope her situation turns around.

Poor thing - I hope she gets help before it's too late. Her situation is beginning to sound a lot like Lani O'Grady's. :(

Susan does have a grown daughter, Sarah (whom she was pregnant with during the EIE years and was written into her storyline). I don't know if they are close or estranged or what.

In any case, God bless Susan and I hope it only gets better for her from here on out.

Monika, do you know who from the EIE cast has turned out fine after the series ended?

I'd imagine Betty Buckley and Dick Van Patten turned out fine. I think even Grant Goodeve, as well.

I doubt Adam Rich did, because of problems he had with the law.

Willie Aames went through bankruptcy and divorce a few years ago, and reportedly tried to kill himself. I think he's OK now. He works for a cruise line now and spends most of his time abroad now.

Grant Goodeve, Laurie Walters, Dianne Kay and Connie Needham have all turned out all right, despite the latter two battling cancer in recent years.

I'd imagine Betty Buckley and Dick Van Patten turned out fine. I think even Grant Goodeve, as well.

I doubt Adam Rich did, because of problems he had with the law.

There are several online sources that claim that Betty Buckley used to have a cocaine addiction and that Grant Goodeve used to be an alcoholic. They're apparently both doing okay now. Of course Adam Rich's problems have been well publicized. He currently owns some tire stores.

Yeah, Grant Goodeve had a drinking problem, but has been sober for many years now. Dick Van Patten seems to be a surrogate dad to all of his "Bradford kids". He bailed Adam Rich out of jail on at least one occasion, and tried to help Lani O'Grady through her troubles. Then again, too, he's getting up there in age so I'm not sure how much he'd be able to help Susan if he was inclined to.

She was my favorite and I thought by far the cutest. Sounds like she has multiple problems and health issues that even money wouldn't really help. Very sad.

^ :yeahthat

The Eight is Enough theme song was going through my head at work on Friday...I really loved the way this show was able to blend comedy and drama. It really felt like you knew and were almost part of that family. One of the most underrated shows out there, IMO.

So sorry to hear this about Susan. She was so much fun and so full of life and spark on the show. My heart really goes out to her.

She was just as much of a firecracker whenever the cast appeared on Family Feud - especially the time she kissed Richard Dawson while wearing a pair of wax lips!!! :lol:

I loved when she wore the wax lips and I love Richard's reaction as well! I hope she finds a way to get access to the help she needs!

I loved when she wore the wax lips and I love Richard's reaction as well! I hope she finds a way to get access to the help she needs!
I second that!