What Happened To The Cast Of Eight Is Enough?

As the youngest member of the "Eight Is Enough" cast, Adam Rich began playing Nicholas Bradford when he was just 8 years old. When the series concluded, he joined the cast of a new series, "Code Red," which was canceled after one season. From there, he lent his voice to the animated series "Dungeons & Dragons" and guest starred on a few other series. Like so many other child stars, Rich's career stalled as he grew older. He also experienced a health crisis in 1989, when a flu virus made its way to his brain, leaving him comatose for five weeks. 

In 1991, Rich was arrested for shoplifting, having stolen a pair of sunglasses and some socks, and police suspected he was intoxicated at the time of his arrest. He was freed on $5,000 bail — which his former TV dad, Dick Van Patten, paid. Just a few weeks earlier, he'd been arrested for breaking into a pharmacy to steal morphine. A year before that, he was arrested for driving drunk. Rich blamed his arrests on his addiction to drugs and alcohol. "Some people are saying it was a cry for help, and I guess that's right," he told UPI. "I am very remorseful, very embarrassed about this whole thing."

Sadly, Rich died in January 2023 at age 54; the cause of death was later revealed to be a fentanyl overdose.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).