Whatever Happened To The Partridge Family? A Look Back At The Stars Of The '70s Sitcom

DAVID CASSIDY Thrust into the spotlight at an early age, Cassidy — who played lead singer Keith on the '70s show — became an instant heartthrob and teen idol. Following the success of the original songs featured on The Partridge Family, Cassidy, now 66, began recording his own music and ultimately launched a solo career — and produced five albums — while on the show. In recent years, the actor-musician struggled in his personal life. In November 2010, he was charged with a DUI and was subsequently charged with the same offense in August 2013 and January 2014. A month after his third arrest, his wife, Sue Shifrin-Cassidy, filed for divorce. In February 2015, the actor filed for bankruptcy and was charged following his hit-and-run eight months later in October 2015. The '70s teen heartthrob and father-of-two, who was most recently seen on TV in a 2013 episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, has also battled substance abuse issues, including a stint in rehab in 2014. In 2017, Cassidy revealed to PEOPLE that he had been diagnosed with dementia, a disease his grandfather and mother also battled. "I was in denial, but a part of me always knew this was coming," Cassidy said of his diagnosis. Click NEXT to see the rest of the family... SHIRLEY JONES Jones was the matriarch of The Partridge Family clan, taking on the role of widowed mother-of-five Shirley Renfrew Partridge. Before starring on the hit show alongside her real-life stepson, David Cassidy, Jones, now 82 — who had a musical background — garnered critical acclaim and an Oscar for her Best Supporting Actress performance in Elmer Gantry. Reflecting back on her time on The Partridge Family, Jones is quick to issue a caveat about starring on a hit show. "When my agents came to me and presented it to me, they said if you do a series and it becomes a hit show, you will be that character for the rest of your life and your film career will go into the toilet, which is what happened," she said in a 2009 interview. "But I have no regrets." The star, who remarried in 1977 after her split from Jack Cassidy in 1974 (the pair had three sons together) continues to act. As for whether or not she's similar to her Partridge Family character, Jones told the AP: "I am nowhere near as breezy and uncomplicated as Mrs. Partridge." Click NEXT and see where the kids are now... DANNY BONADUCE Described as "a wild child who came from an unhappy home" by his TV mom, Shirley Jones, Bonaduce played the part of the wisecracking middle child, Danny. The actor, who was a preteen when cast on The Partridge Family, scored a few TV guest spots following the end of the series, as well as a starring role in 1978's Corvette Summer, opposite Mark Hamill. However, his professional life — which also includes a longstanding career as a radio talk show host — was overshadowed by his personal life, which included battles with drug addiction and alcoholism. These subjects were tackled in his 2005 reality show, Breaking Bonaduce. Bonaduce, 57, married with his third wife, Amy Railsback, in 2010. He has two kids — Countess Isabella and Count Dante — from his second marriage. Click NEXT to see more... SUSAN DEY At 17 years old, Dey took on the role of Laurie on the family-friendly sitcom. In Shirley Jones's memoir, The Partridge Family matriarch revealed Dey, 64, was the only one of the cast who "consistently refused" to partake in any of the show reunions after the series ended. Following the end of the hit sitcom, Dey — who has been married to her second husband, Bernard Sofronski, since 1988 —went on to star on L.A. Law from 1986 to 1992. Her performance in the drama earned her a Golden Globe in 1988. Dey, who has one daughter from her previous marriage, has kept a low profile since appearing on two episodes of Third Watch in 2004. Click NEXT to see Mr. Kinkaid DAVE MADDEN Best known for his role as The Partridge Family manager, Reuben Kincaid, Madden first made a splash as a comedian after performing on the Ed Sullivan Show. The actor kept busy with a slew of guest spot gigs and a recurring role on the long-running TV series Alice. Madden died in 2014 at the age of 82 from complications of myelodysplastic syndrome. He was survived by his wife, a daughter, and a son. Click NEXT to see the youngest... SUZANNE CROUGH With the exception of her turn as the youngest Partridge sibling, Tracy, Crough stayed away from Hollywood. In fact, the actress — who married husband William Condray in 1985 — was last seen on screen in a 1980 TV movie. Sadly, in 2015 at the age of 52, Crough died suddenly in her Nevada home after suffering from a rare form of cardiomyopathy. "Everyone thought I'd be the first Partridge to go. Sadly it was little Tracy," Danny Bonaduce said upon hearing of Crough's passing. "Suzanne was a wonderful lady and a good mom. She will be missed." Click NEXT to see the rest.... BRIAN FORSTER Forster took on the role of pint-sized drummer Chris in The Partridge Family after the original actor, Jeremy Gelbwaks, exited the show in 1971. "I remember being in fourth or fifth grade, dancing around to 'I Think I Love You' and all of a sudden I was going to be on the show, so I was pretty excited," Forster, 56, recalled of being cast on the hit sitcom. Since the show's end in 1974, Forster dabbled in racecar driving in the early 2000s and occasionally acts — outside of Hollywood. Source: People, Whatever Happened to The Partridge Family? A Look Back at the Stars of the '70s Sitcom Related: Here’s How Much Child Stars And Teen Idols Made Back In The 1970S Heartthrobs & Babes of the 70’s If you LIKE this story, please SHARE this story!

Whatever Happened To The Partridge Family? A Look Back At The Stars Of The ’70s Sitcom

By K. Gitter
8 years ago

DAVE MADDEN