Adam Rich

Adam Rich (born October 12, 1968)[1] is an American actor noted for his role as Nicholas Bradford, the youngest son on the television series Eight Is Enough, which ran for five seasons (1977–1981). A distinctive feature of his appearance during his years as a child actor was his pageboy haircut, which inspired thousands of parents of that era to imitate the look for their young sons.[2] His role on the show led him to be known as "America's little brother."[2]

Not to be confused with entrepreneur Adam Rich, co-founder of Thrillist.com.
Adam Rich in 1977

Personal life

Growing up as a child actor, Rich lived in Granada Hills, California, with his parents and younger brother. The family briefly lived in Dahmer, 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.[3] He almost died of a Valium overdose in 1989. In 1991, he was arrested and charged with attempted burglary of a pharmacy.[3]

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.[3][4] Might writer Dave Eggers included the incident in his memoir A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius.

In 2002, he was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI).[3] He has been in drug rehabilitation at least three times.[3]

As of 2013, he occasionally made personal appearances and marketed script ideas for TV shows and films.[3]

Career

Rich won the role of Nicholas at the age of eight.[5][6] 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.[5]

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 TV commercials for Betty Crocker Snackin' Cake[7] and Nabisco's Wheatsworth crackers.[8]

Filmography
YearTitleRoleNotes
1976The Six Million Dollar ManBobEpisode: "A Bionic Christmas Carol"
1977The CityDonnie CollinsTelevision film
1977–81Eight Is EnoughNicholas BradfordMain cast (112 episodes)
1978Fantasy IslandHerbie BlockEpisode: "Instant Family"
1979The Love BoatBrian PhillipsEpisode: "Oldies But Goodies"
1979CHiPsHimselfEpisode: "Roller Disco: Part 2"
1979Tukiki and His Search for a Merry ChristmasTukiki (voice)Television special
19803-2-1 ContactNicholas BradfordEpisode: "Crowded/Uncrowded: Human Crowding"
1981The Devil and Max DevlinToby HartFeature film
1981–82Code RedDanny BlakeMain cast (13 episodes)
1982CBS Children's Mystery TheatreJeffrey BrennerEpisode: "The Zertigo Diamond Caper"
1982Fantasy IslandHuck FinnEpisode: "Natchez Bound"
1982CHiPsLouis HindallEpisode: "Fallout"
1983Gun ShyClovisEpisodes: "Reading, Writing and Robbing", "Mail Order Mommy"
1983–85Dungeons & DragonsPresto, the MagicianVoice role (27 episodes)
1986St. ElsewhereLouis AppletonEpisode: "Family Affair"
1986Small WonderPeter WatsonEpisode: "Chewed Out"
1986Silver SpoonsScottEpisode: "Rick Moves Out"
1987Eight Is Enough: A Family ReunionNicholas BradfordTelevision film
1988Small WonderThe BeastEpisode: "The Gang's All Here"
1989An Eight Is Enough WeddingNicholas BradfordTelevision film
1993BaywatchEthanEpisode: "Sky Rider"
2003Dickie Roberts: Former Child StarHimself (cameo)Feature film

References
  1. "Meet Adam Rich of Eight Is Enough". Daily Record. Ellensburg, Washington. United Press International. September 23, 1978. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  2. ""Eight Is Enough" cast: Where are they now, 30 years later?". Fox News. January 15, 2013. Retrieved May 4, 2013. FOXNews.com, Jan 15, 2013. Quote: "Playing the youngest of the Bradford clan, Adam Rich was America's little brother. In the late '70s and early '80s, thousands of boys sported a Nicholas-style haircut."
  3. "Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow". National Enquirer. New York City: American Media, Inc. 88 (19): 43. May 13, 2013. ISSN 1056-3482.
  4. Eggers, Dave (April 26, 2000). "Diary of a Media Hoax: The Death of Adam Rich". AlterNet. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  5. Gliatto, Tom (August 26, 1991). "The Heartbreak Kid". People. Retrieved February 28, 2012. former Eight Is Enough child star Adam Rich, now 22 ... won the part of Nicholas when he was 9
  6. 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
  7. Betty Crocker Snackin' Cake commercial from 1977
  8. Wheatsworth crackers commercial from 1982
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