Danny Bonaduce Recounts How He Found Out He Was No Longer A Child Star

[Brian Damage]

http://www.cmongethappy.com/interviews/db/db4.html


GH: How did you get the final cancellation notice?

DB: At the gate with my mother. We pulled in one morning and the guard wouldn’t open the gate. We usually just waved, and he didn’t open the gate. He said “What are you doing here?” And we said, "going to work”. That happened once before too. There was no shooting because David just had his gall bladder removed unexpectedly. So when the gate didn’t open we wondered what had happened. And the guard said, “Hey man, the Partridge Family doesn’t live here anymore.” My Mom and I made a U-turn and never went back.

GH: Were you upset about that or relieved?

DB: Relieved. Not in the sense that I was glad it was over, because it was a blast every day. But I thought it would be cool to go to school, meet some girls, and have some stuff to do. Of course I was wrong.

GH: You have taken full responsibility for your actions in life. Other ex-child stars blame the business, their series, etc. for their troubles. Why do you feel that it wasn’t the show biz life that was the cause?

DB: Why do I say that? Because I am right. And they are wrong. I don’t think for one minute they believe their series pushed them into drugs or crime. The only time I was wrong was with Paul Petersen [actor from The Donna Reed Show, who formed “A Minor Consideration” – an organization that fights for the rights of child actors. – ed.] I used to do the talk show circuit in what I like to call “Ex-Child Stars Gone Wrong” or “The Has-Beens On Parade Talk Show Tour”. When I started doing them with Petersen, I thought, “OK – his act is to pretend he cares; Todd Bridges, Dana Plato, Gary Coleman, Eddie Munster, and the rest are so screwed and truly bitter; and my act is to be funny about it.” It’s one of the few times in life I have been wrong about human nature because I am a good judge. Usually I judge rather harshly and therefore I am usually right. But Paul Petersen really does care about people. I think there are many causes that are more worthy of his efforts than child actors, but he truly does care. It’s no act. That is a truly decent guy.

GH: How was your life different after the series was cancelled?

DB: It seemed the same. Except instead of being on the set during the day, I was at school. The hours were the same.

GH: Did you consider yourself an “actor”?

DB: I may have then, I don’t now.

GH: When you auditioned for parts did you feel stereotyped as Danny Partridge?

DB: Well, “stereotyped” means there are jobs I didn’t get because I was Danny Partridge. There are several hundred jobs I didn’t get before I was Danny Partridge, too. I once interviewed Russell Johnson, who played The Professor on Gilligan’s Island and he was so angry at the fact that it ruined his career. What did he do before? A bunch of B Movies. He didn’t have much of a career before that show, so who knows what would have happened? Same with me.

[Dr. Thong]

I remember seeing Bonaduce in a 1975 episode of Shazam! I couldn't believe it was him because he was taller and his voice had changed.

[Marvo301]

I admire Danny for taking responsibility for his actions in life.

[old grouch]

Caption for above photo: "Danny Bonaduce tells his fans what his I.Q. score is."

Actually, I like Danny and enjoyed reading your post, especially what he said about Paul Petersen. It shows you that you can't always judge a book by its cover.

[Dr. Thong]

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I admire Danny for taking responsibility for his actions in life.

I used to feel that way about Bonaduce, but his recent actions aren't the ones of a man who's taking responsibility for his life. He began drinking again on his show Breaking Bonaduce and caused the end of his marriage to a woman who stood by him through all the ups and downs.

When his divorce was about to become final, he had a "countdown" to becoming a free man on his radio show. He humiliated his ex-wife and mother of his child for ratings and for fun.

You're entitled to your opinion about Bonaduce, Marvo, but I realize now that Bonaduce is always going to have problems and until he stops playing the victim, he'll never know true happiness.

[catlover79]

^ I have to agree with that. Don't get me wrong - when I was vacationing in CA in 2001, I ran into Danny Bonaduce and his daughter at the Universal CityWalk. He was VERY nice to me, signed an autograph and posed for a picture with me. But he was the one who cheated on his wife when she did everything to try to help him, fell off the wagon, etc. Even Danny's relatives and friends thought he was nuts to do the reality show. I for one wouldn't want to have such dirty laundry aired out in front of America, but that's just me. I only hope and pray he cleans his act up and stays on the wagon.

[Dr. Thong]

Monika, all celebrities put on their best face when they meet the fans -- well, most of them do.

I met Gene Simmons once at a book signing. He signed my book, chatted with me and posed for a picture. It was a great experience. But do I feel like I know Gene Simmons because of a couple of minutes a few years back? Nope.

I'm not saying that you think you know Bonaduce, Monika, and I'm glad your experience with Bonaduce was a good one. I just think he's a loser and always will be. But after reading his autobio ten years ago, I thought he'd gotten his act together.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Monika, all celebrities put on their best face when they meet the fans -- well, most of them do.

I met Gene Simmons once at a book signing. He signed my book, chatted with me and posed for a picture. It was a great experience. But do I feel like I know Gene Simmons because of a couple of minutes a few years back? Nope.

I'm not saying that you think you know Bonaduce, Monika, and I'm glad your experience with Bonaduce was a good one. I just think he's a loser and always will be. But after reading his autobio ten years ago, I thought he'd gotten his act together.

Oh, I know that. This was also a random encounter, too - on his own time. But I see your point. I lost a lot of respect for him during the Breaking Bonaduce era - and never got it back.

[Dr. Thong]

He had a woman who put up with more crap than most women would have. A woman who wanted her marriage to work and wanted her family to stay together.

But Bonaduce had only himself to blame -- with his boozing, steroid use and whatever else we didn't see on camera.

I give Gretchen Bonaduce a lot of credit for sticking it out with Danny all those years -- it couldn't have been easy.

If she got a big money payout for a settlement...she deserves it.

[catlover79]

Look up "long-suffering" in the dictionary and her photo would be there!!

[caro]

Originally Posted by catlover79

Oh, I know that. This was also a random encounter, too - on his own time. But I see your point. I lost a lot of respect for him during the Breaking Bonaduce era - and never got it back.

Danny does suffer from bi-polar disorder.
He does struggle with his demons each day.
Right now he is employed in Philadelphia at a large radio station and he is engaged.
Ok, he may never be perfect in some people's eyes.
I will say that I have never heard a story about Danny treating his fans badly.
This is unlike a co-star of his who thinks he is owed certain things and is abusive to his fans.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by caro

Danny does suffer from bi-polar disorder.
He does struggle with his demons each day.
Right now he is employed in Philadelphia at a large radio station and he is engaged.
Ok, he may never be perfect in some people's eyes.
I will say that I have never heard a story about Danny treating his fans badly.
This is unlike a co-star of his who thinks he is owed certain things and is abusive to his fans.

Yes, David Cassidy could learn a thing or two from Danny about how to treat the fans!

[Retro4Life]

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Monika, all celebrities put on their best face when they meet the fans -- well, most of them do.

I met Gene Simmons once at a book signing. He signed my book, chatted with me and posed for a picture. It was a great experience. But do I feel like I know Gene Simmons because of a couple of minutes a few years back? Nope.

I'm not saying that you think you know Bonaduce, Monika, and I'm glad your experience with Bonaduce was a good one. I just think he's a loser and always will be. But after reading his autobio ten years ago, I thought he'd gotten his act together.

Personally, I try to be careful judging people I really don't know. I think it's easy to feel that we know "the whole story" or at least enough to make a judgment when all we really see are bits and piece of the huge mosaic that makes up a person's life, via TV shows, magazine and radio interviews, etc.

I'm sure there's lots of nuances in the lives of all these celebrities; both those that are loved and those that are loathed.

I would hope that people would be sensitive and careful in judging my own, far from perfect life, and I try (though I don't always succeed) to do that with others.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

Personally, I try to be careful judging people I really don't know. I think it's easy to feel that we know "the whole story" or at least enough to make a judgment when all we really see are bits and piece of the huge mosaic that makes up a person's life, via TV shows, magazine and radio interviews, etc.

I'm sure there's lots of nuances in the lives of all these celebrities; both those that are loved and those that are loathed.

I would hope that people would be sensitive and careful in judging my own, far from perfect life, and I try (though I don't always succeed) to do that with others.

Well said. They can't have bad days and lose their tempers like us normal folks do without being crucified in the media and the fans. It's very easy to judge. I'm so glad that I'm not a celebrity!!!!

[Marvo301]

Originally Posted by catlover79

Well said. They can't have bad days and lose their tempers like us normal folks do without being crucified in the media and the fans. It's very easy to judge. I'm so glad that I'm not a celebrity!!!!

But you are a celebrity! At least here at S.O.! It says so right under your screen name!