The "8 is Enough" kids: where are they now? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

catlover79 · 12-18-2009, 02:33 PM

http://retroalitytv.blogspot.com/200...-they-now.html

Five of TV's Eight is Enough kids struggled with substance abuse, two suffered mental breakdowns, one is fighting ovarian cancer and one paid the ultimate price in the years after their show’s demise in 1981. Here are updates on all eight:

Grant Goodeve (David), 57, is an actor, musician and host of the Seattle-based series Northwest Backwoods. A recovering alcoholic, he found God and sobriety in 2001. Goodeve enjoyed a stint from 1990-92 on the hit drama Northern Exposure. He currently stars in a radio-play version of It's a Wonderful Life in Seattle and will appear in the upcoming film Crimes of the Past.

Lani O’Grady (Mary), suffered anxiety attacks while on the show. She died of a prescription drug overdose at age 46 in 2001. "I have a real hard time with people who have been successful in this business as young children . . . and [as adults] they are no longer wanted by Hollywood—and, yeah, Hollywood is not a user-friendly place," she told an interviewer in 1994. "But rather than accepting responsibility for their life, it's easier to say, 'The business is the reason I'm so messed up today.' I hate that."

Dianne Kay (Nancy), 55, is a mom who quit acting in 1999 after a guest appearance on Dick Van Dyke's hit series Diagnosis Murder. She lives in California. According to Internet reports, during a 1998 appearance on Jenny Jones' talk show, Kay said she dabbled in interior design and antiques. Also that year, she played the role of a waitress in the feature film Falling Sky.

Connie Newton-Needham (Elizabeth), 50, was diagnosed this year with ovarian cancer. The ballet dancer and mom of two is on leave from her work as a dance instructor in Santa Margarita, Calif. According to the National Enquirer, she's found emotional support in her cancer battle from co-stars Goodeve, Dick Van Patten and Willie Aames. In 1995, she played a waitress in the "Gladiators" episode of Ellen.

Susan Richardson (Susan), 57, became a cocaine addict in a desperate effort to drop 90 lb. she had gained while pregnant during the show's fourth season. A tailbone injury later led to a morphine addiction. In the late 1980s, she claimed filmmakers in Korea held her hostage and tried to kill her. She suffered a nervous breakdown in 1999. In recent years, she has enjoyed healthier times while working as a retirement home caretaker in Pennsylvania.

Adam Rich (Nicholas), 41, seems to have put years of drug problems and run-ins with the law (including a 2003 DUI) behind him. In 1996, he participated in a Might magazine cover story spoofing his death. In 2003, he played himself in the feature film Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star. Adam also has taught classes to young actors at the prestigious Beverly Hills Sound Stage. He lives in Santa Monica.

Willie Aames (Tommy), 49, went from Charles in Charge co-star and cocaine user in the '80s to born-again Bibleman in the '90s and celebreality TV staple in recent years. In 2008, he filed for bankruptcy, separated from his wife (with whom he co-authored the book Grace is Enough) and attempted suicide. In March 2009, he sold the contents of his home to avoid a foreclosure. The VH1 special Broke & Famous: Willie Aames chronicled his troubles last month. He's now working to become a licensed financial adviser.

Laurie Walters (Joannie), 62, and her husband, John Slade, live in Ojai, Calif., where they run the Ironweed Film Club. She continues to act and direct. Her vast stage resumé includes recent roles in Sylvia, Fools, Children of a Lesser God and Memory of Water. She landed major roles in Month in the Country, Measure for Measure, Undiscovered Country and Richard III at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. And she won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for her role in Playboy of the Western World.

Retro4Life · 12-18-2009, 11:04 PM

Kind of a sad story, overall. It makes it hard to watch the show again when you know the suffering that most of the stars have gone through since it has ended.

But except for poor Lani, everyone is still alive and kicking and where there's life, there's hope.

catlover79 · 12-19-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

Kind of a sad story, overall. It makes it hard to watch the show again when you know the suffering that most of the stars have gone through since it has ended.

But except for poor Lani, everyone is still alive and kicking and where there's life, there's hope.

Very true. Lani was actually my favorite - I can relate to her, since she suffered from panic disorder, as I do. I hope and pray the rest of them are doing OK (especially in the case of Connie Needham)!

bencasey · 01-02-2010, 10:12 PM

I loved Susan. I have a thing for redheads and for girls with sweet, round faces and she had both. A lot of wacky stories came out about her over the years but it seems like she is finally at peace and happy. Wow, looking at those ages makes me feel so very old.

catlover79 · 03-27-2010, 02:27 PM

^ Here are some pics of Susan. She wasn't present at the recent Today Show reunion or even referred to. I hope she is doing OK.

Marvo301 · 03-27-2010, 03:14 PM

The show that Grant Goodeve hosts on KING TV (Seattle) is called Northwest Backroads. I've seen a few episodes and it is a very interesting show. And by the way Grant is an excellent host!

OH Nuts! · 03-29-2010, 01:29 PM

Monika, thank you for this interesting article on the "kids" (I don't know how I missed this as I'm a BIG FAN of the show) You're always coming up with informative stuff like this, and I for one, am very appreciative!!!

Chocolate Moose · 03-29-2010, 03:20 PM

anyone know what the parents are up to ?

catlover79 · 03-29-2010, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocolate Moose

anyone know what the parents are up to ?

Dick Van Patten just wrote his autobiography (entitled Eighty Is Not Enough) and Betty Buckley is still acting (mainly in musical theatre), and she recently released a CD.

Here's the Today Show reunion which aired on Monday, March 1 -

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/261848...60224#35641886

catlover79 · 03-29-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OH Nuts!

Monika, thank you for this interesting article on the "kids" (I don't know how I missed this as I'm a BIG FAN of the show) You're always coming up with informative stuff like this, and I for one, am very appreciative!!!

My pleasure, Rich!!

12-18-2009, 02:33 PM	#1
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	The "8 is Enough" kids: where are they now? http://retroalitytv.blogspot.com/200...-they-now.html Five of TV's Eight is Enough kids struggled with substance abuse, two suffered mental breakdowns, one is fighting ovarian cancer and one paid the ultimate price in the years after their show’s demise in 1981. Here are updates on all eight: Grant Goodeve (David), 57, is an actor, musician and host of the Seattle-based series Northwest Backwoods. A recovering alcoholic, he found God and sobriety in 2001. Goodeve enjoyed a stint from 1990-92 on the hit drama Northern Exposure. He currently stars in a radio-play version of It's a Wonderful Life in Seattle and will appear in the upcoming film Crimes of the Past. Lani O’Grady (Mary), suffered anxiety attacks while on the show. She died of a prescription drug overdose at age 46 in 2001. "I have a real hard time with people who have been successful in this business as young children . . . and [as adults] they are no longer wanted by Hollywood—and, yeah, Hollywood is not a user-friendly place," she told an interviewer in 1994. "But rather than accepting responsibility for their life, it's easier to say, 'The business is the reason I'm so messed up today.' I hate that." Dianne Kay (Nancy), 55, is a mom who quit acting in 1999 after a guest appearance on Dick Van Dyke's hit series Diagnosis Murder. She lives in California. According to Internet reports, during a 1998 appearance on Jenny Jones' talk show, Kay said she dabbled in interior design and antiques. Also that year, she played the role of a waitress in the feature film Falling Sky. Connie Newton-Needham (Elizabeth), 50, was diagnosed this year with ovarian cancer. The ballet dancer and mom of two is on leave from her work as a dance instructor in Santa Margarita, Calif. According to the National Enquirer, she's found emotional support in her cancer battle from co-stars Goodeve, Dick Van Patten and Willie Aames. In 1995, she played a waitress in the "Gladiators" episode of Ellen. Susan Richardson (Susan), 57, became a cocaine addict in a desperate effort to drop 90 lb. she had gained while pregnant during the show's fourth season. A tailbone injury later led to a morphine addiction. In the late 1980s, she claimed filmmakers in Korea held her hostage and tried to kill her. She suffered a nervous breakdown in 1999. In recent years, she has enjoyed healthier times while working as a retirement home caretaker in Pennsylvania. Adam Rich (Nicholas), 41, seems to have put years of drug problems and run-ins with the law (including a 2003 DUI) behind him. In 1996, he participated in a Might magazine cover story spoofing his death. In 2003, he played himself in the feature film Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star. Adam also has taught classes to young actors at the prestigious Beverly Hills Sound Stage. He lives in Santa Monica. Willie Aames (Tommy), 49, went from Charles in Charge co-star and cocaine user in the '80s to born-again Bibleman in the '90s and celebreality TV staple in recent years. In 2008, he filed for bankruptcy, separated from his wife (with whom he co-authored the book Grace is Enough) and attempted suicide. In March 2009, he sold the contents of his home to avoid a foreclosure. The VH1 special Broke & Famous: Willie Aames chronicled his troubles last month. He's now working to become a licensed financial adviser. Laurie Walters (Joannie), 62, and her husband, John Slade, live in Ojai, Calif., where they run the Ironweed Film Club. She continues to act and direct. Her vast stage resumé includes recent roles in Sylvia, Fools, Children of a Lesser God and Memory of Water. She landed major roles in Month in the Country, Measure for Measure, Undiscovered Country and Richard III at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. And she won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for her role in Playboy of the Western World.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

12-18-2009, 11:04 PM	#2
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Kind of a sad story, overall. It makes it hard to watch the show again when you know the suffering that most of the stars have gone through since it has ended. But except for poor Lani, everyone is still alive and kicking and where there's life, there's hope.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

03-27-2010, 02:27 PM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	^ Here are some pics of Susan. She wasn't present at the recent Today Show reunion or even referred to. I hope she is doing OK. Attached Images

03-27-2010, 03:14 PM	#6
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	The show that Grant Goodeve hosts on KING TV (Seattle) is called Northwest Backroads. I've seen a few episodes and it is a very interesting show. And by the way Grant is an excellent host!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

03-29-2010, 03:20 PM	#8
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,904	anyone know what the parents are up to ?
	__________________ How long a minute is, depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

01-02-2010, 10:12 PM	#4
bencasey Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: Long Beach Posts: 1,692	I loved Susan. I have a thing for redheads and for girls with sweet, round faces and she had both. A lot of wacky stories came out about her over the years but it seems like she is finally at peace and happy. Wow, looking at those ages makes me feel so very old.

03-29-2010, 01:29 PM	#7
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Monika, thank you for this interesting article on the "kids" (I don't know how I missed this as I'm a BIG FAN of the show) You're always coming up with informative stuff like this, and I for one, am very appreciative!!!