Here's What the 'Eight Is Enough' Cast is Up to 30 Years Later

During its time on ABC, "Eight is Enough" became a popular television show as the Bradford family tackled all sorts of issues faced in daily life, but what happened to the cast after the show ended in 1981?

The series followed the Bradford children's lives as they grew up, made friends, dated, and eventually had children of their own. William Blinn developed the series, and it featured many talented actors.

Though the series received mixed reviews, it also inspired a few spin-off TV movies, including "Eight is Enough: A Family Reunion" and "An Eight is Enough Wedding."

Image Credit: Getty Images

Image Credit: Getty Images

DIANA HYLAND

The original Bradford wife, mother, and blonde beauty appeared in several TV series; most notable was "Peyton Place" and "Young Doctor Malone."

Diana Hyland is also remembered for her remarkable performance in the TV movie "The Boy in the Plastic Bubble," for which she posthumously received an Emmy.

She had a passionate affair with her younger co-star, John Travolta, but then Hyland was diagnosed with breast cancer and passed after only four episodes of "Eight is Enough."

Image Credit: Getty Images

Image Credit: Getty Images

BETTY BUCKLEY (ABBY BRADFORD)

Betty Buckley probably fared the best of the cast. She won a Tony Award in 1983 for her role in the musical "Cats," she also starred in "Another Woman" and "Frantic."

As a singer, Buckley recorded 15 albums. Recently, she has had guest roles in "Monk," "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit," "Without a Trace," "Pretty Little Liars," and more.

Image Credits: YouTube/HOW THEY CHANGED

Image Credits: YouTube/HOW THEY CHANGED

GRANT GOODEVE (DAVID BRADFORD)

Grant Goodeve became a Teen Idol playing the eldest of the Bradford children. He lent his voice to the show's theme song, and when the series ended, he recorded an album.

He was known to be a heavy drinker until a severe car accident convinced him to give up alcohol. Goodeve then dedicated himself to his faith and now presents Christian programs on a local Seattle channel where he resides.

Image Credits: YouTube/HOW THEY CHANGED

Image Credits: YouTube/HOW THEY CHANGED

DIANNE KAY (NANCY BRADFORD)

Dianne Kay, now 65-years-old, most notably appeared in the 1941 Steven Spielberg film "World War II," in which she played Majorette. She also starred in the series "Reggie" in 1983 and "Glitter" in 1985.

Despite the Spielberg movie's success and a blossoming career, Kay stopped acting in 1999 to spend time with her family.

Image Credits: YouTube/HOW THEY CHANGED

Image Credits: YouTube/HOW THEY CHANGED

WILLIE AAMES (TOMY BRADFORD)

During the show, Aames had brief success as a singer. His biggest hit was the single "You are the Only One that I Never Need" in 1979.

For over 20 years, Aames reportedly dealt with drug addiction but overcame them through his Christian faith. From 1996 and 2004, he wrote, directed, and starred in the "Bibleman" a children's series.

Image Credits: YouTube/HOW THEY CHANGED

Image Credits: YouTube/HOW THEY CHANGED

ADAM RICH (NICHOLAS BRADFORD)

Between 1983 and 1991, Adam Rich had problems with drug addiction but rehabilitated himself after he got arrested for drunk driving in 2002.

In 1993, he appeared in an episode of "Baywatch," and in 2003, he made a cameo as himself in the comedy film "Dickie Roberts," his most notable of guest-starring roles landed after "Eight is Enough."

Image Credits: YouTube/HOW THEY CHANGED

Image Credits: YouTube/HOW THEY CHANGED

CONNIE NEEDHAM (ELIZABETH BRADFORD)

Although she is best known for her role in 'Eight is Enough,' at the beginning of her career, Needham played a dancer with sclerosis.

She married a decorator who worked at the series and had two daughters but later divorced. In 2009, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She currently works as a dance teacher in California.

Image Credits: YouTube/HOW THEY CHANGED

Image Credits: YouTube/HOW THEY CHANGED

LAURIE WALTERS (JOANIE BRADFORD)

Before she was apart of the Bradford Family, Walters appeared on "Happy Days" but reached her most significant and most enduring popularity, portraying Joannie Bradford.

After "Eight is Enough," she appeared on "Cheers," "Highway to Heaven," and in the TV movie "Columbo: A Murder in Malibu," the "Eight Is Enough" reunion specials and toured with dinner theaters.

Walters quit working in show business in the late 90s and was last seen in The Common Sense of the Wisdom Tree in 1999.

Image Credit: Getty Images

Image Credit: Getty Images

She became a dedicated environmentalist and coordinated the volunteer program for the Los Angeles organization Tree People.

SUSAN RICHARDSON (SUSAN BRADFORD STOCKWELL)

For some young viewers, Susan Richardson was the dream girl. She had small roles in "American Graffiti," and the 1976 "A Star Is Born," and guest-starred on "Happy Days" and "The Streets of San Francisco."

Image Credit: Getty Images

Image Credit: Getty Images

Richardson revealed she had experienced tough times and was living in an unheated trailer with a rotting floor near her hometown of Coatesville, Pennsylvania.

Then, the actress reportedly developed diabetes, suffered three mini-strokes, lost 60 pounds and teeth due to a digestive condition.

Image Credits: YouTube/HOW THEY CHANGED

Image Credits: YouTube/HOW THEY CHANGED

DICK VAN PATTEN (TOM BRADFORD)

He was the affable head of this series's family and one of the most experienced actors in the entire cast since he started acting in the 1930s.

Van Patten married actress Pat Van Patten in 1954, and they had three children Nels, James, and Vincent, who are also actors. The couple stayed married until he died due to complications from diabetes in June 2015.

Image Credits: YouTube/HOW THEY CHANGED

Image Credits: YouTube/HOW THEY CHANGED

LANI O'GRADY (MARY BRADFORD)

After the series ended, O'Grady appeared in the 1982 TV movie "The Kid with the Broken Halo" with Gary Coleman, but her budding career soon got cut short.

Her last acting role was as Mrs. Kramer in the soap opera "Days of Our Lives" in 1990, after which she became a talent agent. O'Grady had agoraphobia, suffered panic attacks, which greatly interfered with her acting.

Image Credits: YouTube/HOW THEY CHANGED

Image Credits: YouTube/HOW THEY CHANGED

Sadly, O'Grady died in her home in Santa Clarita, California, on September 25, 2001, reportedly from an overdose of Prozac and Vicodin.