‘Eight Is Enough’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

5. Connie

Newton (Elizabeth Bradford)

Then: Connie Newton played the youngest Bradford daughter, an aspiring dancer named Elizabeth. This YouTube tribute video proves that she truly was a “Dancing Queen.”

Now: Connie Newton got married, became Connie Needham, and had two daughters. She went on to play another dancing character on the TV series Fame (1982-1983). She recently survived a bout with ovarian cancer and looked as lovely as ever on the Today show in 2010.

6. Laurie Walters (Joanie Bradford)

Then: Laurie Walters had the honor of being one of Fonzie’s gal pals on Happy Days (1975) before joining the Bradford clan. The middle Bradford daughter wanted to be in showbiz and got her big break in season 5 when she was promoted to sports anchor, despite the fact that she didn’t like sports.

Now: Walters’ last screen acting job was in The Common Sense of the Wisdom Tree (1999), playing the voice of the title role. She still performs onstage, and also became active in environmental causes, working with the Los Angeles-based group Tree People, as well as the Iron Weed Film Club.

7. Susan Richardson (Susan Bradford Stockwell)

Then: Susan Richardson was in the film American Graffiti and also did an episode of Happy Days before becoming a Bradford. Not only did she have the same name as her character, she gave birth on the show and in real life. In case things weren’t meta enough for you.

Now: Susan Richardson was the subject of some controversy in 1987 after claiming that she had been kidnapped and almost murdered by North Korean filmmakers; there are conflicting reports about the accuracy of her story. Susan battled addiction and did not participate in the 2010 Today show cast reunion. This 2010 AOL article says that she now lives in Pennsylvania, working at a nursing home.

8. Lani O’Grady (Mary Bradford)

Then: Lanita Rose Agrati changed her name to Lani O’Grady after she landed a part in Eight Is Enough, what would become her defining role. Pre-Eight, she appeared in several TV movies, helped along by her talent-agent family.

Now: Post-Eight, O’Grady costarred with Gary Coleman in The Kid with the Broken Halo (1982). After that, she retired from acting, returning to reprise her role as Mary Bradford in Eight Is Enough: A Family Reunion(1987) and An Eight Is Enough Wedding (1989) and to do a spot on Days of Our Lives (1990). She did pass in 2001.

Check this Family Feud Mashup Out: “The Love Boat” vs “Eight Is Enough”, “Three’s Company” vs “Soap”, “Three’s Company” vs “The Love Boat” 1978