At the age of 54, Adam Rich, an actor best known for playing the lead in the ABC sitcom Eight Is Enough, passed away. The actor passed away on January 8 at his Los Angeles home, according to his family.
Rich portrayed Nicholas Bradford, the youngest son, in the television series Eight Is Enough, which aired from 1977 to 1981. Additionally, he had a protracted struggle with drug addiction and spent some time in recovery. Continue reading to learn more about his life and work.
Someone arrived at Rich’s house on Sunday, according to a source familiar with the situation, and discovered him dead. The law enforcement authorities are not suspicious of any wrongdoing. As soon as word of the actor’s passing spread, his supporters began posting condolences on social media.
“Learning that ‘Eight is Enough’ actor Adam Rich passed away at the age of 54 is a pretty big gut punch if you are of a certain age. In an era known for cute TV kids, he was briefly the cutest young child on television. I’m sorry to read that his life was probably not very happy,” a supporter tweeted.
Another person commented, “Rest in peace, Adam Rich. He deserves praise for all of his efforts and for providing countless hours of entertainment, even though he would probably detest the attention,” said one person, adding, “Thank you Adam Rich. My youth was filled with lots of fun thanks to Nicholas Bradford. Take it easy.
“I’m devastated. He visited my junior high school for a little time and was already having problems. Recently, he had difficulties, and I was rooting for him. I wish he could have understood how much he meant,” wrote a supporter.
Adam Rich, a 1968 Brooklyn native, was cast as Nicholas Bradford in the film Eight Is Enough when he was just eight years old. The five-season series, which also starred Dick Van Patten, Lani O’Grady, Connie Needham, and Grant Goodeve, was one of the most popular comedies of the 1970s.
In an interview from 2011, Van Patten discussed working with Rich and said, “I think he’s why the programme was a great hit. Everyone adored him. Because of him, fans named a child Nicholas and everything else. He was charming and a skilled actor. He was really unforced.
Code Red, Dungeons & Dragons, Baywatch, Small Wonder, St. Elsewhere, Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, and Reel Comedy were among the other shows in which the actor had roles. Rich left acting in the early 1990s, claiming he did not enjoy being in the public eye.
Rich overdosed on Valium in 1989, and the consequences were fatal. He was arrested for breaking a drugstore window to obtain drugs two years later. Dick Van Patten, a previous co-star, helped him out at the time.
Rich then went in and out of rehab for a few years. He was detained once more in 2002 in California on suspicion of DUI and nearly colliding with a Highway Patrol vehicle. The actor refuted the accusations, saying he had been sober for ten years.
We send our deepest sympathies to Adam Rich’s loved ones. God grant him eternal peace!