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Adam Rich

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Not to be confused with entrepreneur Adam Rich, co-founder of Thrillist.

Adam Rich
Rich in 1977
Born(1968-10-12)October 12, 1968
New York City, U.S.
DiedJanuary 7, 2023(2023-01-07) (aged 54)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1976–2003

Adam Rich (October 12, 1968 – January 7, 2023) was an American actor. He was best known for his portrayal of Nicholas Bradford, the youngest son on the television series Eight Is Enough, which ran for five seasons (1977–1981). Known for his pageboy haircut, Rich's character on the show led him to be known as "America's little brother".[1][2][3][4]

Personal life

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Rich was born on October 12, 1968,[5] the son of Francine and Rob Rich. His family was Jewish.[6] Growing up as a child actor, Rich lived in Granada Hills, Los Angeles, with his parents and younger brother. The family briefly lived in Florida where he learned how to act at the local gym. He was active in sports, including baseball, football, bicycle riding, skateboarding, and swimming. He also had an interest in drawing. At age 14, he tried smoking marijuana, and at 17, in 1986, he dropped out of high school.[7] He almost died of a valium overdose in 1989. On April 16, 1991, he was arrested after a shoplifting spree at a pharmacy and a Bullock’s department store in Northridge, Los Angeles. He was released on bail, with his television father Dick Van Patten paying his bail.[8][9]

In 1996, there was a media hoax that Rich had been murdered; the story was published in the San Francisco-based magazine Might, with Rich's consent.[7][10]

In 2002, Rich was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI).[7] Rich had publicly discussed his experiences with depression and substance abuse in the months before he died and had a history of many drug rehabilitation stints and several overdoses. He tweeted in October 2022 that he had been sober for seven years after arrests. He urged his followers never to give up.[4]

Career

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Rich won the role of Nicholas on Eight is Enough at the age of eight.[11][12] After Eight Is Enough, he had roles in Irwin Allen's short-lived 1981 TV series Code Red on ABC and the 1983 sitcom Gun Shy on CBS.[11]

Rich made guest appearances on television series including The Love Boat, CHiPs, Fantasy Island, The Six Million Dollar Man, St. Elsewhere, and Baywatch. He also did voice work on the cartoon series Dungeons & Dragons, along with Eight Is Enough co-star Willie Aames.[13]

Rich appeared in television commercials for Betty Crocker Snackin' Cake[14] and Nabisco's Wheatsworth crackers.[15]

Death

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Rich died at his Los Angeles home on January 7, 2023, at the age of 54. The L.A. County Medical Examiner's autopsy report indicates the actor died from an accidental fentanyl overdose.[16]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1976 The Six Million Dollar Man Bob Episode: "A Bionic Christmas Carol"
1977 The City Donnie Collins Television film
1977–81 Eight Is Enough Nicholas Bradford Main cast (112 episodes)
1978 Fantasy Island Herbie Block Episode: "Instant Family"
1979 The Love Boat Brian Phillips Episode: "Oldies But Goodies"
1979 CHiPs Himself Episode: "Roller Disco: Part 2"
1979 Tukiki and His Search for a Merry Christmas Tukiki (voice) Television special
1980 3-2-1 Contact Nicholas Bradford Episode: "Crowded/Uncrowded: Human Crowding"
1981 The Devil and Max Devlin Toby Hart Feature film
1981–82 Code Red Danny Blake Main cast (13 episodes)
1982 CBS Children's Mystery Theatre Jeffrey Brenner Episode: "The Zertigo Diamond Caper"
1982 Fantasy Island Huck Finn Episode: "Natchez Bound"
1982 CHiPs Louis Hindall Episode: "Fallout"
1983 Gun Shy Clovis Episodes: "Reading, Writing and Robbing", "Mail Order Mommy"
1983–85 Dungeons & Dragons Presto, the Magician Voice role (27 episodes)
1986 St. Elsewhere Louis Appleton Episode: "Family Affair"
1986 Small Wonder Peter Watson Episode: "Chewed Out"
1986 Silver Spoons Scott Episode: "Rick Moves Out"
1987 Eight Is Enough: A Family Reunion Nicholas Bradford Television film
1988 Small Wonder The Beast Episode: "The Gang's All Here"
1989 An Eight Is Enough Wedding Nicholas Bradford Television film
1993 Baywatch Ethan Episode: "Sky Rider"
2003 Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star Himself (cameo) Feature film (final role)

References

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  1. ^ "Adam Rich, former child star of 'Eight Is Enough,' dies at 54". Los Angeles Times. January 8, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  2. ^ Berman, Marc. "'Eight Is Enough' Star Adam Rich Dies At 54". Forbes. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  3. ^ Reul, Katie (January 8, 2023). "Adam Rich, Former Child Star of 'Eight Is Enough,' Dies at 54". Variety. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Eight Is Enough actor Adam Rich died of fentanyl effects, autopsy report says". The Guardian. Associated Press. June 24, 2023. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  5. ^ "Meet Adam Rich of Eight Is Enough". Daily Record. Ellensburg, Washington. United Press International. September 23, 1978. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  6. ^ Bernstein, Fred A. (February 9, 2011). The Jewish Mothers' Hall of Fame. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. ISBN 9780307767165. Retrieved January 8, 2023 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ a b c "Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow". National Enquirer. Vol. 88, no. 19. American Media, Inc. May 13, 2013. p. 43. ISSN 1056-3482.
  8. ^ Curtiss, Aaron (April 18, 1991). "Actor Adam Rich Arrested in Store Shoplifting Incident". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  9. ^ "'Eight is Enough' star Adam Rich dies of suspected 'overdose'". January 11, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  10. ^ Eggers, Dave (April 26, 2000). "Diary of a Media Hoax: The Death of Adam Rich". AlterNet. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  11. ^ a b Gliatto, Tom (August 26, 1991). "The Heartbreak Kid". People. Archived from the original on April 23, 2008. Retrieved February 28, 2012. former Eight Is Enough child star Adam Rich, now 22 ... won the part of Nicholas when he was 9
  12. ^ Brand, Sam (March 1, 2010). "Adam Rich Skips 'Eight Is Enough' TV Reunion". PopEater.com. Retrieved February 28, 2012. Rich was 9 years old when 'Eight Is Enough's' first of five seasons premiered
  13. ^ IMBb"Adam Rich, IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  14. ^ "1977 Betty Crocker Snackin Cake "Adam Rich" TV Commercial". September 7, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2023 – via YouTube.
  15. ^ "Wheatsworth crackers - ad from 1982". November 13, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2023 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ Heching, Dan (January 8, 2023). "Adam Rich, 'Eight Is Enough' actor, dead at 54". CNN. Archived from the original on June 18, 2023.
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