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Adam Rich
Rich in 1977
Born	(1968-10-12)October 12, 1968 New York City, U.S.
Died	January 7, 2023(2023-01-07) (aged 54) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1976–2003

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".

Personal life

Rich was born on October 12, 1968, the son of Francine and Rob Rich. His family was Jewish. 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. 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.

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.

In 2002, Rich was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). 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.

Career

Rich won the role of Nicholas on Eight is Enough at the age of eight. 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.

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.

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

Death

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.

Filmography

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Adam Rich" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

References

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. ^ "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. ^ "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. ^ 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.

External links

• Adam Rich at IMDb

• 1968 births
• 2023 deaths
• Accidental deaths in California
• American male child actors
• American male film actors
• American male television actors
• Drug-related deaths in California
• Jewish American male actors
• People from Granada Hills, Los Angeles
• Male actors from Los Angeles
• Male actors from New York City
• 20th-century American male actors