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R.I.P. Adam Rich, child star best known as Nicholas Bradford from ''Eight Is Enough''
Rich was just 8 years old when he displayed the memorable pageboy haircut with his character of Nicholas Bradford.
Adam Rich became a child star following his rise to fame in the late Seventies hit dramedy Eight Is Enough. He played Nicholas Bradford, the youngest son of the bunch, who is best known for having the blunt edges of his pageboy haircut.
According to The New York Times, Rich died Saturday, Jan. 7 2023 at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 54.
Per the Times, Rich's publicist Danny Deraney confirmed the death, though did not give a cause. He said Rich was "kind, generous and a warrior in the fight against mental illness."
The comforting, Sacramento-based show featured Rich for five seasons and starred Dick Van Patten as Tom Bradford Sr. The first season of Eight Is Enough was one of a lot of change, as Diana Hyland, who played Tom Bradford's wife Joan, passed away during filming of the inaugural season.
Rich was 8 years old when he landed the recurring role of Nicholas Bradford.
In the pilot, Rich was alongside Mark Hamill, who left the series early to play in his career-defining role of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Though Eight Is Enough is what Rich is arguably best known for, he appeared on several other shows in the late Seventies and throughout the Eighties.
He made his screen debut during season four of The Six Million Dollar Man. He had appearances on The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, CHiPs, Code Red, and Small Wonder, while also voicing "Presto the Magician" in the animated series Dungeons & Dragons. He also showed up during a 1993 episode of Baywatch, per IMDb.com.
His big screen credits include The City in 1977, the voice of titular character in Tukiki and His Search for a Merry Christmas in '79, The Devil and Max Devlin in 1981 and the TV movies Eight Is Enough: A Family Reunion and An Eight Is Enough Wedding.
As Rich grew up, it was clear what type of impact he was leaving behind.
"He was unselfish and always looked out for those he cared about. Which is why many people who grew up with him feel a part of their childhood gone, and sad today," said Deraney.
"He was really America's Little Brother."
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R.I.P. Adam Rich
It seemed misleading to mention the pilot. Did we ever see it? Oddly in Canada, I never saw the series until the second season, so it took a while until I knew the mother had been there the first season.
An article about the pilot wouod have been nice. Tommy is played by another actor. I always thought Grant Goodeve seemed older than the rest. Mark Hamill doesn't give that.
Some of those actresses didn't do so well after the show.
