'The Partridge Family': What Happened to the Stars of the Favorite Series through the Years

The 1970s were a magical period for film, television, and music. Sitcoms and musicals gained widespread attention and popularity, and one such show was "The Partridge Family." From the juiciest facts to how your beloved actors changed through the years—here's your ultimate guide to a timeless classic!

With its first episode airing in 1970, "The Partridge Family" quickly became a fan favorite, earning multiple accolades and nominations. The hit series borrowed inspiration from "The Cowsills"—a real-life American band from Newport, Rhode Island, comprising seven kids—six boys and one girl—who became popular in the mid-60s and 70s.

Like the Cowsills, the Partridge siblings had an absent father and were cared for by their mother. The Grammy-nominated series also had several guest appearances during its run, including Rob Reiner, aka "Meathead" from "All in the Family," starring as Snake, as well as Rosemary DeCamp and Ray Bolger.

While the popular sitcom entertained the audience with its smooth comic contrasts and gripping twists, a lot was cooking behind the scenes. Please join us as we delve deeper into your favorite characters' lives over the years and sneak a peek at a few exciting bits and pieces from the 70s sitcom!

David Cassidy as Keith Partridge

David Cassidy had barely hit his 20s when he landed the role of Keith Partridge, captivating the world with his soulful voice and timeless aura. In addition to starring as the oldest Partridge sibling and the band's lead musician, he established himself as a 70s icon.

Cassidy lent his acting, singing, and songwriting expertise to the show and eventually became a solo musician with five successful albums.

After "The Partridge Family," he made guest appearances in series such as "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "Mod Squad," and "Bonanza." The American heartthrob was also seen in "Ruby & The Rockits" and "David Cassidy: Man Undercover."

Cassidy furthered his passion for music and did live concerts and shows while residing in Las Vegas. But none of it measured up to his success as a Partridge kid.

Despite being a household name and a fan favorite, Cassidy couldn't enjoy the fame game for too long. He was reportedly exploited and robbed by those who used his brand image and popularity, leaving him with a meager income and nothing much to fend for himself.

Consequently, Cassidy faced many challenges in his personal life, including alcoholism and drugs, and was charged multiple times for driving under the influence and hit-and-run cases. After separating from his third wife, he declared bankruptcy and died in 2017 from kidney and liver failure.

Shirley Jones as Shirley Partridge

Shirley Jones did herself a huge favor when she turned down the role of Carol Brady in "The Brady Brunch." In her defense, she said she disapproved of playing the mom whose sole responsibility was to take the roast out of the oven.

Lucky for us, we saw her finest performance first-hand as the Partridge matriarch who raised her children and supported their musical ventures. Like Cassidy, her real-life stepson who played her reel-life son, Jones was also a singer and bagged an Academy Award for her stellar performance in "Elmer Gantry."

But after landing her role as the ultimate family head and widowed mom of five kids, Jones noted that her movie career was almost forgotten. Rightly so, people began seeing her as Mrs. Partridge, but her off-screen personality was far less breezy and complicated than her on-screen character.

In 1974, Jones married Jack Cassidy, father of David Cassidy. She maintained a friendly and loving relationship with her stepson, even when the cameras rolled back. During her marriage with Cassidy's dad, Jones reportedly lived a life of rock and roll, with a great affinity for parties and extravagance.

After bidding farewell to "The Partridge Family," Jones appeared in many TV shows, and she was last seen in the 2018 movie, "Eco-Teens Save the World."

Danny Bonaduce as Danny Partridge

Danny Bonaduce had a strained upbringing, significantly impacting his emotional and psychological well-being. However, he found an escape hatch when he landed his first role as a child star and eventually found himself on the set of "The Partridge Family" as a preteen.

As the troubling middle kid, Bonaduce became so immersed in his character that he enjoyed playing pranks on everyone, even behind the camera. He was so forgetful that the rest of his cast members had to settle for over 30 takes to finalize one scene! Even Jones reportedly used her motherly powers to order him away, but Bonaduce was not easy to tame.

Later on, Bonaduce earned television guest spots and even became a radio talk show anchor on a Seattle radio station. But like his co-star, Cassidy, Bonaduce's personal life spiraled out of control, and he fell victim to alcoholism and drugs.

In 2010, he tied the knot with his third wife, Amy Railsbac. He was last seen in the 2019 TV show "The Kids Are Alright." Bonaduce took a break from his radio gig after a mysterious ailment that left him unable to walk.

Susan Dey as Laurie Partridge

Susan Dey joined the cast of "The Partridge Family" as Laurie Partridge when she was only 17. Her on-screen character had a depth and beauty of expression that quickly made her popular with the audience.

According to sources, Dey and Cassidy briefly dated after Jones played the facilitator's role and helped Cassidy realize he had been friend-zoning her. Sadly, things didn't work out, and they went their separate ways for good.

At one point, Dey struggled with body image issues and followed a strict diet, dropping to 92 pounds. But she quickly came around thanks to her co-star Bonaduce's somewhat blatant feedback serving as a timely wake-up call.

After "The Partridge Family," Dey starred in popular series such as "Hawaii 5-0" and "Barnaby Jones." Interestingly, her fame skyrocketed when she earned a spot in the "L.A. Law" series in 1986, winning one Golden Globe and three Emmy nominations. She was last seen in two episodes of the 2004 show, "Third Watch."

In 1988, she wed her second husband, Bernard Sofronski, and has been using her position to raise a voice for rape victims.

Dave Madden as Reuben Kincaid

Dave Madden received his big shot when he starred as the Partridge family's manager, Reuben Kincaid. While his on-screen character appeared constantly annoyed and flustered, he was a real hero off-camera. Madden was a man of humble beginnings, owing to his time in the armed forces.

He was polite, friendly, and considerate, and he loved helping out his cast members. When Bonaduce went through a rough patch, he was said to have counted on Madden and hailed him for his kindness and support.

Madden's warm-heartedness also won him a soft spot with the legendary Frank Sinatra, who put in a good word for him to Ed Sullivan.

Thanks to his comedic performance on Sullivan's show, he became a voice-over artist for 2000's "Adventures in Odyssey: The Last Days of Eugene Meltsner." He also had a recurring role in the 1976 series, "Alice."

In 2014, Madden passed away at age 82 from myelodysplastic syndrome, leaving behind his wife and two children.

Suzanne Crough as Tracy Partridge

Suzanne Crough starred as the youngest Partridge kid on the show and thought it best to steer clear of the spotlight afterward. Except for a few guest spots on series such as "Mulligan's Stew" and her last known role in the 1980 TV film "Children of Divorce," Crough avoided the mainstream media.

Following her acting break, she graduated from Los Angeles Pierce College and ran her own bookstore until 1993. In 1985, she married William Condray, and in 2015, she died at age 52 from what was believed to be arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, a rare type of cardiomyopathy.

Upon hearing the news of Crough's demise, her co-star, Bonaduce, was heartbroken and shocked, stating he thought he'd be the first Partridge to die. He said she would be greatly missed and called her a wonderful person and a great mother to her two children.

Brian Forster as Christopher Partridge

Brian Forster took on the role of Christopher "Chris" Partridge when Jeremy Gelbwaks left the show after the first season. Gelbwaks' exit from the series brought in Forster, who was barely a school kid then and became the family group's drummer.

Although he was delighted to be a part of the 70s hit comic series, Forster decided to steer clear of Hollywood afterward. When "The Partridge Family" went off-air in 1974, Forster saw race car driving as his one true calling.

Forster was last seen as Chris Partridge in the 2008 series "Break A Leg." After disappearing from the TV screens, he turned his attention to community theater for some time, owing partly to his association with arts because of his ancestral connection to Charles Dickens, who was his great-great-great-grandfather.

Undoubtedly, "The Partridge Family" remained a fan favorite for years, and many remember the classic series even today. Some of the show's original scores, including "I Think I Love You," broke all records and topped the charts, overthrowing The Beatles at the time. A massive victory, indeed!

While the comic series' kids and adults have undergone many changes, one thing remains constant—our cherished memories will forever live on as we recall laughing, crying, and singing with the Partridges!

Please let us know which character from the series was your favorite. Click here to read how your beloved actors from "All in the Family" changed through the years!