The Partridge Family won over the hearts of viewers around the world during the '70s with their captivating musical numbers, heartfelt family moments and laugh out loud comedy. The show had everything you could ever hope for — the teen heartthrob, feel-good music and a story that the whole family could enjoy together.
The TV series was inspired by the Cowsills, a real family band that rose to fame in the 1960s. Though there were rumors that members of the Cowsills band would star in the show, Shirley Jones was the cast as the matriarch, Shirley Partridge. After all of the kids were on board, the sitcom debuted on ABC on September 25, 1970. The show ran for four seasons, had a No. 1 debut single on the Billboard chart with "I Think I Love You," Golden Globe nominations, Grammy nominations, 13 studio albums, and even an animated spinoff on CBS. There were numerous notable guest stars over the years as well, including Jodie Foster, Rob Reiner, Jaclyn Smith, Farrah Fawcett, Ray Bolger, Mark Hamill and Dick Clark.
Fifty years since the classic TV show wrapped, here's what your favorite The Partridge Family cast members are currently up to.
David Cassidy
Galaxy/STAR MAX/IPx
The lead singer of the family band and oldest child in the TV family, Keith Partridge, instantly became a teen idol. With that dreamy haircut that was oh-so-'70s and those green eyes, it makes sense that he instantaneously went from an unknown actor to a star. Cassidy's role as Keith allowed him to have an incredibly successful singing career. He released twelve studio albums throughout his career.
Unfortunately, Cassidy suffered from alcohol addiction and retired from performing in 2017 when dementia was making him forget the words to his songs during performances. Later that year, he passed away at the age of 67 from liver failure. Cassidy had two children, including daughter Katie Cassidy who followed in her father's footsteps and became an actress.
Shirley Jones
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
When Jones was starring as Shirley Partridge, the widowed mother of five, she was married to David Cassidy's father, Jack Cassidy, in real life. She bonded with her stepson while they starred on the show together. In the years since the show wrapped, Jones released six of her own studio albums and has had numerous TV appearances on shows like Melrose Place, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, That '70s Show, Raising Hope, Cougar Townand General Hospital. She's also continued to appear on the stage in productions like The King and I, 42nd Streetand The Music Man.
Danny Bonaduce
Screengrab from YouTube
Little redhead Danny Partridge was the bass player in the family band. In 2003, Young Artist Foundation honored Bonaduce with its Former Child Star "Lifetime Achievement" Award for his performance as Danny. Bonaduce continued appearing on TV shows, including Married... with Children, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, The Drew Carey Showand CHiPs. He later turned to radio and hosted the morning show on 102.5 KZOK Seattle.
Susan Dey
Star Max via AP Images
17-year-old Dey booked the role of Laurie Partridge with no prior acting experience. Dey developed feelings for her onscreen brother Cassidy while filming. They even pursued a relationship after the show wrapped, but Cassidy cut things off, claiming he didn't feel the same way. Dey continued appearing in films and television, including starring as Grace Van Owen on L.A. Law, a role that earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress.
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Dave Madden
Who could forget the family's loveable manager, Reuben Kincaid? During filming, Madden grew close with his young co-star Danny Bonaduce. He even let him live in his home because of some issues with the Bonaduce family. He was already a successful actor before The Partridge Familyand Madden kept acting after the show ended. He appeared on Bewitched, Happy Days, The Love Boat, Barney Miller, and had a recurring role on Alice as a customer of Mel's Diner. Madden passed away in Jacksonville, Florida in 2014.
Suzanne Crough
The youngest member of the family band was the tambourine wielding Tracy Partridge. Crough only made a few more TV appearances, including The New Adventures of Wonder Woman and the TV filmChildren of Divorce in 1980. Following her acting career, Crough graduated from Los Angeles Pierce College. During a 2010 reunion with her old co-stars on The Today Show, she disclosed that she was the manager of an Office Max in Arizona. Sadly, Crough passed away in 2015.
Brian Forster
Jeremy Gelbwaks technically originated the role of drummer Chris Partridge in season 1 but was replaced by Forster in seasons 2-4. Following his child star days, Forster moved to North Carolina and became a race car driver. He has also continued to appear in community theater productions.
This story previously ran on June 23, 2020.
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