This actor, Larry Hankin, may have started acting in the 1960s, but you’ve probably seen him before. If you were an uber fan of “Eight Is Enough,” you might know Hankin for his two roles in the TV show, as Max and Garbage Man Drego. The one thing that doesn’t stink is Hankin’s acting. Even before “Eight Is Enough,” the actor boasted numerous roles and performances. In 1979, Hankin starred as Charlie Butts in the classic film “Escape from Alcatraz.”
As the actor got older, the more impressive his resume got. The actor starred as Old Joe in “Breaking Bad” and the feature film “El Camino: The Breaking Bad Movie.”
Brian Patrick Clarke - Merle “the Pearl” Stockwell
Who can forget Merle the Pearl? In the iconic episode called “Merle the Pearl,” we meet this smug, self-congratulatory baseball pitcher who soon becomes smitten with Susan Bradford. The two later marry. The actor, Brian Patrick Clarke, from Gettysburg, starred as the lovestruck baseballer. In the late 1970s, Clarke landed two breakout roles in “Delta House” and “Eight is Enough.”
Over the years, Clarke made guest appearances in “Baywatch,” “CSI: Miami,” and “Diagnosis Murder.” His most well-known role was in “General Hospital.” Clarke is married to the gymnast Kathy Johnson, and the couple have two children. Like his wife, Clarke is a sporting enthusiast. During the 1980s, he used to run marathons.
Diana Hyland – Joan Bradford
This actress, Diana Hyland, was destined for the role of the mother of eight, but unfortunately after starring in just four episodes, she passed away from an illness. Nonetheless, the actress’s impact was felt in the show and her passing away became a major point for the storyline. At the age of 19, Hyland made her acting debut. For the next three decades, Hyland had her hands full as she had plenty of small roles in film and on TV. Her most notable roles were in the crime drama “The Fugitive” and “Peyton Place.”
In the TV film, “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble” she met John Travolta. Though she played his mother in the film, the two started dating in 1976. Her role as Joan Bradford was Hyland’s last.
Mark Hamill – David Bradford
Interestingly, the legendary actor, Mark Hamill, was originally cast as David Bradford in the pilot episode. At the time, Hamill had a five-year contract with “Eight Is Enough” but had landed the opportunity to join “Star Wars.” We all know how that played out. Hamill decided to use the force to his advantage and exited “Eight Is Enough.”
Though Hamill is most well-known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the original “Star Wars” films, he returned to screen as Skywalker for the sequels – episodes 7 to 9. Hamill also did the voice for one of the most iconic Batman supervillains, the Joker, in “Batman: The Animated Series” in 1992. In 1978, Hamill and Marilou York tied the knot. The two have been together ever since and have three children.
Kimberly Beck – Nancy Bradford
Here we have an actress, Kimberly Beck, who was almost a cast member of “Eight Is Enough.” However, Beck didn’t quite make the cut. In fact, she was cut right out. After starring in the pilot episode, the producers replaced Beck with Dianne Kay. Fortunately for Beck, she didn’t cry over spilled milk – and she moved on to other projects. These include “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter” (which wasn’t actually the final chapter) and Alfred Hitchcock’s “Marnie.”
The actress had numerous minor roles and some main roles including starring as Diane Porter in “Rich Man, Poor Man Book II.” In the late 1990s, Beck left the acting scene, but she made a brief return in 2009 to star in the children’s film “Heidi 4 Paws.”
Tom Lacy – Mr. Gilette
The onscreen “Eight Is Enough” persona, Mr. Gilette, was portrayed by New York actor, Tom Lacy. Before starring in this family dramedy, Lacy was already a familiar face in the world of TV. He had had roles in “The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight” and the TV film “The Mask of Zorro.”
Following his time on “Eight is Enough,” Lacy continued to perform on TV, having minor roles in various series like “Law & Order: SVU.” Some of his more notable works include starring as a judge in the Wes Anderson film, “The Royal Tenenbaums” and playing Grandfather Cole in the movie “The Adventures of Sebastian Cole.”
Johnny Haymer – Ralph Louis
This Missouri actor, Johnny Haymer, starred as Ralph Louis. Though Haymer was known by his stage name, the actor was born Haymer Lionel Flieg. Before “Eight is Enough,” Haymer was already a familiar face in showbiz. From 1974 to 1979, he starred as Sergeant Zelmo Zale on “M*A*S*H.” He featured in Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall” as well.
After his short time on “Eight is Enough,” Haymer landed voice-acting roles in several popular shows such as “Alvin & The Chipmunks,” “Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends,” and “The Transformers.” Haymer sadly passed away on November 19, 1989. While he was best known for his numerous roles in the 1960s to 1980s, by the 1980s, he had adapted to being an excellent voice actor.
Sylvia Sidney – Aunt Fealty
This striking actress, Sylvia Sidney, made a guest appearance as Aunt Fealty in the family comedy-drama “Eight is Enough.” Of course, long before the shooting of the series began, Sidney – an actress of Romanian extract – had carved a name for herself in entertainment. Her most notable performances before “Eight is Enough” were as Fantine in “Les Misérables” and Katherine Grant in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Fury.”
Though Sidney was already in her late 60s when “Eight is Enough” was on the air, afterward, she still contributed much to film and TV. She starred in the classic film “Beetlejuice.” Her last movie role was in “Mars Attack” and her last TV role was in “Fantasy Island.” The classic actress passed away in 1999.
Connie Needham – Elizabeth Bradford
As the aspiring dancer in the family, Connie Needham starred as the teen sister Elizabeth Bradford who, in fact, got the whole story going in the pilot episode after being arrested. Talk about a family drama. Though Needham’s breakout role was as Elizabeth Bradford, during the show’s time on the air she would take on nine other roles like in the series “Fame.” She was 18 at the time of shooting and married “Eight is Enough” set designer, David Needham.
In 1995, Needham had her last role as a waitress in “Ellen.” Like her “Eight is Enough” character who was an aspiring dancer, you could say Elizabeth Bradford’s dreams came true as Needham worked as a dance instructor in California.
Ellen Travolta – Della Gale/Dr. Abbott
If you were a firm fan of “Eight is Enough,” you might have noticed that the actress who starred as the real estate, Della Gale, was the same one who was cast for Dr. Abbott. The actress, Ellen Travolta, played both parts in the family series “Eight is Enough.” Like her A-lister brother, John Travolta, Ellen went into showbiz. Throughout the late 1970s, she had several minor roles including a role as a waitress in “Grease” with her younger brother in the lead role.
Following “Eight is Enough,” Ellen Travolta’s main roles included starring as Lillian in the series “Charles in Charge” and Louisa Arcola Delvecchio in “Joanie Loves Chachi.” Throughout the 2000s, she has added various minor roles to her credentials.
Molly Dodd – Mother Superior
While the teen sister Elizabeth has three prom dates in the episode “Hit and Run,” if you were quick, you would have noticed the actress Molly Dodd starring as Mother Superior. It seemed like the LA actress, Dodd, had quite enough experience for the role as her father was a priest of the Anglo-Catholic Episcopal Church. Long before “Eight is Enough,” Dodd’s career onscreen had begun. Her first role was in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo” and in the stage production “The Penguin.”
Sadly, the actress didn’t have much time after her performance in “Eight is Enough” as Dodd passed away in March 1981. During that year, Dodd had one of her last roles in the film “Evita Peron.”
James Van Patten – Merle & Carther
This actor’s father, Dick Van Patten, might have been in the lead role as the family patriarch, Tom Bradford, but this doesn’t mean his son, James Van Patten, jumped at the opportunity of starring in “Eight is Enough.” The younger Van Patter starred as Merle in the second reunion movie “An Eight is Enough Wedding.” However, back in 1978, you might be lucky to spot James Van Patten in an episode as Carther.
Though Van Patten grew up in a showbiz home, it was just a matter of time before he joined the showbiz bandwagon. In the late 1990s, Van Patten and his brother, Vincent, produced several films together including “The Break.” Van Patten still made time for acting. You can catch him starring as Dr. Heffner in the horror franchise “Saw.”
Ralph Macchio – Jeremy Andretti
The then-teen actor, Ralph Macchio, was cast as Abby Bradford’s nephew, Jeremy Andretti. In his late teens, Ralph George Macchio Jr. landed the role of Jeremy in “Eight is Enough.” It was just what the young actor needed as it launched his career. After “Eight is Enough,” Ralph Macchio was best known for his role as Daniel LaRusso, the star of the three “Karate Kid” films.
Macchio clearly has a sense of humor because he joined an episode of “Robot Chicken” as his most famous onscreen persona, Daniel LaRusso. He also joined the cast of Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Outsiders.” The actor has since revived the role of Daniel LaRusso in the latest installment of “The Karate Kid,” the series “Cobra Kai.”
Michael Thoma – Dr. Greg Maxwell
The Bradford clan’s family friend, Dr. Greg Maxwell, was portrayed by the American actor, Michael Thoma. Before the shooting of “Eight is Enough,” Thoma had had much time on the silver screen. One of his standout roles was in “The Bionic Woman” (1977) and “Winter Kills” (1979). Yet, Thoma is more famous for his work behind the scenes – his most notable work is being the production manager of “Oh! Calcutta” (1972).
Thoma was one of the longest-starring recurring actors on “Eight is Enough.” After leaving the family series, he featured in the hit teen series “Fame.” That was Thoma’s last performance. In 1982, the actor passed away. He was living in LA at the time.
Michele Green – Jill
During Season 4, bilingual actress Michele Green stars as Jill – one of Tommy Bradford’s two love interests. Before her role as Jill, the Nevada-born actress, Green, had been slowly making a name for herself in showbiz. She had already starred in the film “The Dark End of the Street” and had portrayed Margo in the series “Dorothy.”
Since “Eight is Enough,” things have only gotten better for Green. She has had several minor roles in popular shows like “Bones,” “Nip/Tuck,” “Six Feet Under,” and “CSI.” The actress really made a name for herself after her role as Abby Perkins in “L.A. Law” from 1986 to 1991.
Betty Buckley – Sandra Sue “Abby” Abbott
It was this actress, Betty Buckley’s role as the high school gym teacher in “Carrie” (1976) which landed her the main role of Sandra Sue “Abby” Abbott in “Eight is Enough.” Buckley’s first role in cinema was in “Carrie.” This performance might have been her first, but the actress’s breakout role was as Abby in “Eight is Enough.” Even before her time on TV, Buckley was a regular performer in beauty pageants and was crowned “Miss Fort Worth” in 1966.
After “Eight is Enough,” the actress has had quite a sparkling career on stage. She won a Tony Award for her role as Grizebella in “Cats” in 1983 and received nominations for another Tony Award and Best Actress in a Musical.
Markie Post – Kerry
Interestingly, Tommy Bradford’s two love interests went onto become regulars in showbiz. One of the ladies who caught Tommy’s eye was Kerry played by actress, Markie Post. Before “Eight is Enough” was on the air, Post had steadily built a career for herself in TV. The actress had starred in “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century” and “House Calls.”
Post-“Eight is Enough,” Post’s career continued in the way it had started. She had several small roles in series like “The A-Team” and “Scrubs.” The actress also had some main roles like Barbara “Bunny” Fletcher in “Chicago P.D.” and “Hearts Afire.” Despite having a career spanning four decades, Post has not yet called it quits. In 1982, the actress married Michael A. Ross and the two have been married ever since.
Janis Paige – Vivian Bradford
We’ll always remember the memorable scene of Auntie V giving the Bradford sisters, Susan and Elizabeth, advice from the bathtub. The classic actress, Janis Paige, starred as Aunty Vivian – or simply, Aunty V. Long before “Eight is Enough,” Paige started out singing in kitchen canteens during World War II. You can definitely say the actress was born for the limelight.
By the time the series was on the air, Paige had had several roles including starring as herself in the sitcom “It’s Always Jan.” One of the incredible things about Janis Paige is that the actress is now 100 years old and one of the few surviving figures from Hollywood’s Golden Age. Few individuals live to such a ripe old age. We definitely have to ask Paige what’s her secret.
Adam Rich – Nicholas Bradford
For fans of the family dramedy, we’ll always remember the sweet and adorable but confident, Nicholas Bradford. Nicholas was the youngest son of the Bradford brood, and he was played by actor, Adam Rich. Sporting his iconic pageboy hairstyle, Rich soon became “America’s Little Brother.”
Interestingly, his first onscreen roles were in the TV series “The Six Million Dollar Man” and “The City.” “Eight is Enough” was definitely the actor’s breakout role. Following his stint in the family series, he joined the main cast of “Code Red” as the character, Danny Black, and was the voice actor for Presto the Magician in “Dungeons & Dragons.” Sadly, the actor passed away at the young age of 54 in January 2023.
Louise Latham – Katherine Mitchell
The late actress, Louise Latham, starred as the character, Katherine Mitchell, in “Eight is Enough.” Well before it went on the air, the Texan actress had already done some of her finest work in showbiz. One of her iconic roles was as Bernice Edgar (Marnie’s mother) in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Marnie” (1964). She also made a guest appearance on an episode of the famous director’s series “The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.”
After “Eight is Enough,” Latham added numerous acting credentials to her already large collection making appearances in “Murder She Wrote” and “The X-Files.” Latham also had roles in the films “The Philadelphia Experiment” and “Love Field.” In February 2018, Latham passed away at the age of 95.
Michael Baldwin – Jason/Richie
The child actor A. Michael Baldwin would play two roles – Jason and Richie – in the hit series. Baldwin’s roles in “Eight is Enough” would not be the child actor’s first. He did voice acting in “I Am the Greatest: The Adventures of Muhammed Ali.” Next, he starred in “Eight is Enough,” which proved pivotal for the child actor as Baldwin was later cast as Mike in “Phantasm,” “Phantasm II,” and “Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead.”
Before the revival of the “Phantasm” franchise, Baldwin took a break to study Eastern mysticism. However, in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, he returned to the “Phantasm” franchise and starred in the fourth and fifth installments.
Larry Gelman – Office Bernstein
Lawrence Sheldon Gelman – known by his stage name Larry Gelman – was cast in the recurring role of Officer Bernstein. Gelman hails from Brooklyn New York. Before Officer Bernstein, Gelman had a long list of acting credentials. One of his first known roles was an appearance in the TV series “Mission Impossible” (1966).
After “Eight is Enough,” Gelman’s career in showbiz continued as it started. He had several minor TV and movie roles. Though some of his more notable works came after “Eight is Enough,” like in the film “Dreamscape” (1984). And some came much later. Gelman starred as Mel in “Old Dogs” and Sydney in “Tales from the Catholic Church of Elvis” in 2009.
Don Matheson – Patrick Danvers
Before he was a TV actor, Don Matheson served as a US soldier during the Korean War. This was long before his role as Patrick Danvers in “Eight is Enough.” By that time, the veteran had established himself in entertainment. In fact, his most iconic role was as Mark Wilson in the Sci-Fi series, “Land of the Giants.”
Matheson continued to add numerous acting TV parts and credentials to his resume. He had various minor roles in everything, from “Murder She Wrote” to “7th Heaven” to “Magnum P.I.” He also starred in the TV film “Six Against the Rock.” After struggling with an illness, Don Matheson passed away at the age of 84.
Jennifer Darling – Donna
Before this actress was acting, she was dancing. And before she starred in the recurring role of Donna in “Eight Is Enough,” Jennifer Darling was a familiar face in action series, like “The Six Million Dollar Man” and its spin-off, “The Bionic Woman.” In both productions, she starred as Peggy Callahan. Interestingly, Jennifer Darling was born Joan Darling but changed her name as there was already a Joan Darling in showbiz.
Though Darling has an incredible 161 acting credits to her name, she continues to perform. From the 1990s onwards, Darling started taking voice-acting roles for animations like in “The Iron Giant” (1999), “Aladdin” (1992), and the video game “Final Fantasy: Type-0 HD” (2015).
Ann Dusenberry – Andrea Jenkins
If you were a committed fan of “Eight is Enough,” you might just remember Andrea Jenkins, played by Ann Dusenberry. She made one appearance on the show. That said, Dusenberry was already a rather established actress by the time she featured in “Eight is Enough.” She had had several roles in the miniseries “Captains and the Kings” and the movie “Emergency!”
Following her appearance on “Eight is Enough,” Dusenberry continued to have several smaller roles in TV shows such as the popular series “Magnum P.I.” and “Murder She Wrote.” She also joined the cast of the TV series “Life with Lucy” as Margo Barker McGibbon. In 1993, she married Brad Fiedel. The couple have two children.
Laurie Walters – Joannie Bradford
Out of all the Bradford children, actress Laurie Walters was the oldest even though she played the third eldest Bradford child. Born Laurie Jean Walters Slade, this actress from the Bay Area, is best known for her role as Joannie Bradford in “Eight is Enough.” Remarkably, this was not the actress’s first appearance on TV. She had formerly starred as Susan in the family sitcom, “Happy Days.”
The actress continued to make guest appearances on TV like in the sitcom “Cheers” and the fantasy drama “Highway to Heaven.” She also returned for a reunion with her “Eight is Enough” co-stars for the two feature films, but Walters took a permanent break from acting on TV in 1993. She moved to the stage and directed a few productions.
Darrell Larson – Dan Mulford/Stan Lewis
This California-born actor, Darrell Larson, starred in two roles, as Dan Mulford and Stan Lewis. By the time “Eight is Enough” went on the air, Larson had accomplished much in the entertainment industry. He had had several minor roles on TV like in “The Bill Crosby Show” and “Westside Medical.” He had already made a name for himself in the 1970s films “The Magnificent Seven Ride” and “Futureworld.”
Following his roles in “Eight is Enough,” the actor can’t seemingly get enough of the silver screen. He continued having several small roles in shows like “Law & Order: SVU” and “L.A. Law.” However, he had a recurring role in the medical drama “Heartbeat.” The actor is best known for his role in “Men at Work.”
Dennis Patrick – Harry Mitchell
Even before his role as Harry Mitchell in “Eight is Enough,” Dennis Patrick was enjoying a stellar acting career. Some of his notable roles occurred before the shooting of the series. These include his role as Carlton Harris in “The Six Million Dollar Man” and its spin-off “The Bionic Woman.” Patrick’s earlier work included featuring in Dan Curtis’ series “Dark Shadows” and its follow-up “House of Dark Shadows.”
Throughout the 1980s, Patrick continued to take on various roles. He featured in immensely popular series such as “Murder She Wrote” and “The Twilight Zone.” The actor exited the world of the silver screen in the mid-1990s until his death in 2002.
Kevin Coogan – Vincent/Bobby
In the episode, “The Kid Who Came to Dinner,” Kevin Coogan played Bobby. This was not Coogan’s only role in the family series. He also starred as Vincent. During the show’s time on the air, the child actor went by his birth name Kevin Eric Mitchell. In 1986, he changed his last name to Coogan after his comedian and actor, grandfather, Jackie Coogan.
Coogan had plenty of roles as a child actor including starring in “Little House on the Prairie,” “Mork & Mindy,” and “Knight Rider.” His resume has been equally decorated in adulthood as he has featured in “Joan of Arcadia,” “Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead,” and “Soulkeeper.” In 2013, the actor tied the knot to Kristen Shean.
Joan Prather – Janet McArthur Bradford
To this date, starring as Janet McArthur Bradford is Joan Prather’s most well-known acting credit. Prather hails from Texas and during grade school, she took part in stage productions. She featured regularly in the dance show “Sump’n Else.” Her big break came when she landed the role of Janet McArthur Bradford. Though the actress is most well-known for starring in this series, she had starred in other films before it went on air. These include “Rabbit Test” (1978) and “Smile” (1975).
Following “Eight is Enough,” Prather appeared in the film “Shove It” (1981) and had several appearances in TV series like “Fantasy Island” and “CHiPS.” After starring in “Battle of the Network Stars” in the 1980s, she took a break from showbiz.
Gary Imhoff – Denis/Henry/Marshall Spector
This actor and former dramatic arts teacher, Gary Imhoff, had starred in several roles in the hit series. His roles include Dennis, Henry, and Marshall Spector. Though Imhoff worked at the Milton Katselas' Playhouse, he had several small roles on TV shows like “How the West Was Won” and “Another Day” before starring in “Eight is Enough.”
After “Eight is Enough,” Imhoff’s acting career took a new direction and Imhoff began taking on voice-acting roles. You may not have seen him before, but you might have heard him. He was the voice of Prince Cornelius in the 1994 adaptation of “Thumbelina.” Imhoff also did the voice for Harry Osborn in “Spider-Man: The Animated Series.” To this day, Imhoff’s most well-known for his role in “Falcon Crest.”
Joan Tompkins – Mary/Gertie Wells/Mrs. Duffek
Not to be confused with Mary Bradford, the eldest sister of the Bradford brood, but Joan Tompkins starred as “Mary” with no known last name. Tompkins also starred as two other characters, Gertie Wells and Mrs. Duffek, in the family series. By the time “Eight is Enough” went on the air, the actress had already a long-spanning career in showbiz. She had acted on stage in productions like “Pride & Prejudice” and “Fly Away Home” and in radio shows like “Our Gal Sunday.”
In fact, “Eight is Enough” was the actress’s penultimate appearance in film and TV. Her final was in the TV film “The Night the City Screamed” in 1980. The actress passed away in 2005 at the age of 89.
Abe Vigoda - Ben Ryan
The late, great, Abe Vigoda was a stalwart of the theater and the screen in his day. He rose to prominence in the iconic film, "The Godfather," and even landed the lead role in a couple of TV shows. In 1979, Vigoda graced the "Eight Is Enough" set as Ben Ryan. Vigoda only joined for one episode, but fans undoubtedly recognized him.
For much of his career, Vigoda played macho-mafioso characters, thanks to his trademark look of hardly ever smiling. He passed away in 2016, just ahead of his 95th birthday. Vigoda may have landed a small role on "Eight Is Enough," but he had a large enough legacy to make up for it.
Jack Elam – Joe Simons
Interestingly, actor Jack Elam took a break from his type-cast role as the villain and his typical genre, Westerns, when he joined “Eight Is Enough.” Born William Scott “Jack” Elam, in the series, he played Joe Simons, Nicholas’ much older but grandfatherly friend. Long before “Eight Is Enough,” Elam was an already established actor in showbiz. Owing to his misaligned vision, Elam was typecast as the villain in Westerns. Some of his film repertoire includes “High Noon” and “The Battle of Apache Pass.”
In 1994, Simons was inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. In 1983, he was granted a Golden Boot Award for his dedication and commitment to Westerns. Elam passed away in 2003 at the age of 83.
Lani O’Grady – Mary Bradford
This actress is best known for her role as the eldest Bradford sister, Mary Bradford. Though this California-based actress would appear in her first production at 13, it took a long time for her to get the break she needed. O’Grady’s first appearance was in the TV series “The High Chaparral” (1969). “Eight Is Enough” was the lucky break O’Grady needed.
Sadly, O’Grady stint in showbiz was rather short-lived. She reunited with her “Eight Is Enough” cast members as Mary Bradford again in the two feature films. O’Grady also starred in the TV film “The Kid with the Broken Halo” co-starring Gary Coleman. When O’Grady began suffering from blackouts and agoraphobia in the 1990s, she retired from acting and took up work as a talent scout.
Virginia Vincent – Daisy Maxwell
One of the recurring characters in the five seasons of “Eight Is Enough” was Daisy Maxwell portrayed by the actress Virginia Vincent. Her onscreen persona was a family friend to the Bradford bunch. Meanwhile, the actress behind the persona, Vincent was an established figure in showbiz. One of her iconic roles was as Jennie Blake in “The Return of Dracula” (1958) and Ethel Carter in the original “The Hills Have Eyes” (1977).
In fact, Vincent’s role in “Eight Is Enough” was one of the actress’s last. Afterward, she appeared in several minor roles like in “Simon & Simon” and “Knot’s Landing,” but her role in the latter, in 1988, was the actress’s last onscreen performance. In 2013, Virginia Vincent passed away at the age of 95.
James Karen – Elliot Randolph
Born Jacob Karnofsky, this film star was more known by his stage name, James Karen. The actor had a recurring role in the family series as Tom Bradford’s boss. Karen hailed from Pennsylvania but moved to New York and joined the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. Before his career on stage, Karen served in the US Army in World War 2.
Karen is most famous for starring in the horrors “Poltergeist,” “The Return of the Living Dead,” and “Return of the Living Dead Part II.” Karen was married to the folk singer Susan Reed, but they divorced in 1967. He lived until 94, passing away in 2018.
C Martel – Marvin
This Canadian-born actor, K.C. Martell played Nicholas Bradford’s friend, Marvin – a recurring character in Season 4. Born Kevin Christopher Martel, but known by his stage name, K.C Martel, this child actor had already made a name for himself before “Eight Is Enough.” He had starred in the crime series “CHiPS,” but his most notable role was in the original “The Amityville Horror” (1979).
After “Eight Is Enough,” Martel went on to star in the successful “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982), “Bloody Birthday” (1981), and “The Munsters’ Revenge” (1981). His last role was a recurring one in the series “Growing Pains.” Not much is known about the actor’s private life.
Ted Jordan – Van Driver/Furniture Man/First Man
This Ohio-born actor had three miscellaneous roles. If you’re an enduring fan of the family series and of Ohio actor, Ted Jordan, then you might have spotted him as a van driver or furniture man. Jordan was a well-established actor before starring in “Eight Is Enough.” One of his most famous roles was in various roles on radio programs and TV series, like “Gunsmoke.” He also joined his fellow “Eight Is Enough” cast member, Don Matheson, in the Sci-Fi, “Land of the Giants.”
Jordan’s prime acting days were before “Eight is Enough.” However, he had a few small roles while “Eight Is Enough” was on the air. He starred in “Dallas” and “How the West Was Won.”
Tony O’Dell – Scott
Born Anthony Dell'Aquila, this Pasadena-based actor starred as Scott. This proved to be a breakout role for Dell'Aquila, who used the stage name, Tony O’Dell. Before “Eight Is Enough,” O’Dell had only made an appearance in the crime series “CHiPS” and did voice acting work in “Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo.”
Interestingly, O’Dell made the cast for a “Scooby-Doo” doing the voice-acting role for Tommy. This character would feature in two other productions “The Puppy’s Further Adventures” and “ABC Weekend Specials.” O’Dell’s longest role was in the sitcom “Head of the Class.” He is also known for his role as Jimmy in “The Karate Kid Part II” and its spin-off series, “Cobra Kai.”
Fred Holliday - Reporter
Fred Holliday may not have been a household name in his day, but he was a household face. It's reported that Holliday starred in over 1000 commercials from the 50s to the 80s. Given that Holliday had a knack for small roles, it makes sense that he made his way onto "Eight Is Enough" playing a reporter.
One of Holliday's longest TV stints was on the soap opera "Days of Our Lives" throughout the late 80s and early 90s. Holliday passed away in 1995 at the untimely age of 59. Still, he's a primary example of how the little things in life add up to one impressive tapestry by the end.
Katherine Woodville – Ms. Chovick
In an almost all-American cast, Katherine Woodville was one of the unique cast members of “Eight Is Enough” as she hailed from England. Another interesting fact about Woodville is that while many of the cast members had gotten their big breaks from starring in “Eight Is Enough,” Woodville’s career in showbiz was just about winding up. The English actress was cast in the role of Ms. Chovick.
Before “Eight Is Enough,” Woodville had had minor roles in numerous productions including the original “The Avengers” (1961), “Star Trek” (1968), and the original “Mission Impossible” (1968). Her most well-known role was in the popular soap opera “Days of Our Lives” where she starred as Marie Horton. Woodville’s last role was in “Eight Is Enough.”
William Callaway – Reverend Billy/Band Manager
We briefly meet the character Rev. Billy in “Eight Is Enough” played by William Callaway. This was not the only role Callaway had in “Eight Is Enough,” as he also starred as a band manager. Before “Eight Is Enough,” Callaway had already made his mark on the silver screen. He had starred in the Woody Allen film “Annie Hall” and “Fun with Dick and Jane.”
Even before briefly joining the cast of “Eight is Enough,” Callaway had started doing voice-acting roles. Callaway did voice work for “The Scooby-Doo Show” and “Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo” in the late 1970s. Right up until 2000, Callaway continued to do voice-acting roles. Some notable performances include Comet Guy in “Darkwing Duck,” various Smurf voices in “The Smurfs,” and Beach Head in “G.I. Joe: The Movie.”
Dudley Knight – Anchorman/Mitch
For enduring fans of “Eight Is Enough,” you might remember Dudley Knight starring as Mitch and an anchorman. Knight is not a well-known actor, but he had several roles before “Eight Is Enough.” He starred as an agent in “The Rockford Files” (1976) and had an appearance as Major Jim Overman in “M*A*S*H” (1976).
While Knight is not a household name, he has left his mark on the world of entertainment. Knight studied at the Yale School of Drama and then taught at the University of California where he coached students on voice, dialects, and text. He was also the co-founder of the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut. At the age of 73, the voice expert passed away in 2013.
Floyd Levine – Officer Dudley/Sam Wickes
In the episode “Finally Grad Night,” you might remember seeing the actor, Floyd Levine, in his role as Officer Dudley. This was not the only role Levine had in the TV show, but he also starred as Sam Wickes. Before “Eight Is Enough,” Levine had had a few minor roles mostly in films like “Dog Day Afternoon” starring Al Pacino and “Death Wish” with Charles Bronson. However, a year into shooting “Eight Is Enough,” Levine had landed a key role as Dr. Harris in “Bloodbrothers.”
Following “Eight Is Enough,” Levine’s acting career really took off. For four decades, Levine has had roles in film and on TV including in “The A-Team” and “The Love Boat.” Another notable role was starring in “Braddock: Missing in Action III.”
Nicholas Hammond – Harold
Washington-born actor, Nicholas Hammond, starred as Harold, making appearances in the episodes “Yes Nicholas, There Is a Santa Claus: Parts 1 & 2.” Before his appearances, Hammond was already a well-known showbiz figure. He had starred as Friedrich von Trapp in the classic musical, “The Sound of Music.” Another major production for Hammond was starring in the lead role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the animated series “The Amazing Spider-Man.”
Later in his career, Hammond returned to his role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the animated “Spider-Man,” “Spider-Man Strikes Back,” and “Spider-Man: The Dragon’s Challenge.” Two other notable acting credentials include “Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles” (2001) and much later “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (2019).
Lin Shaye - Band Member
Today, Lin Shaye is a bonafide Scream Queen thanks to her impressive repertoire of scary movies. But way back in the day, Shaye was an extra on "Eight Is Enough," believe it or not. Shaye played a band member on one episode, and you'd be forgiven for missing her. You'd also be forgiven for missing her bandmate, though you will kick yourself for it.
It was comedy legend, Robin Williams! That's right, everybody has to start somewhere. Since this cameo in 1977, Shaye has also featured in a number of comedy movies, including "There's Something About Mary" and "Me, Myself & Irene."
Susan Richardson – Susan Bradford
It must have been easy for actress Susan Richardson to get used to being called Susan Bradford as the two share the same first name. Susan Bradford is the fourth eldest child of the bunch. Though Richardson started acting in high school theatre productions, changes in her life made it difficult for her to commit to acting. When she was 25, she landed the role of Susan Bradford.
Life continued for Susan Richardson even while she was starring as the persona of Susan Bradford. During the show’s five seasons, Richardson married, fell pregnant, and picked up weight. She had to resort to extreme – and illicit – measures to look the part for Susan Bradford. Richardson changed her career and is currently an author of children’s books.
Michael Goodrow – Ernie Fields
The actor, Michael Goodrow, hails from San Diego. He starred as Ernie Fields in “Eight Is Enough.” Before this role in the family series, Goodrow had had several small roles on TV and in films like “Future Cop” (1978) and “Sweater Girls.” Both his role as Ernie Fields in “Eight Is Enough” and as the Skin Flute Player in “The First Nudie Musical” are some of his most well-known roles.
Not much is known about this San Diego actor, but following his role as Ernie Fields, he had minor roles in “Cheers,” “The Kid With the 200 IQ,” and the TV series “The Lot.” Goodrow’s last known role was in “The Last Hit.”
Jeff Cotler – Irving
The actor, Jeff Cotler, starred in the recurring role of Irving. You might know Cotler’s sister, Kami Cotler, who’s also an actress. Before his role on “Eight Is Enough,” Jeff Cotler had actually featured in the same TV series as his sister, “The Waltons.” Kami joined the main cast while Jeff would move on to other projects such as starring in the role of Brian in the TV series “Struck by Lightning.”
“Eight Is Enough” was Cotler’s penultimate appearance onscreen. His last was as Tyler Demery in “Falcon Crest.” Interestingly, fellow “Eight Is Enough” cast members such as Gary Imhoff also had a role in this romantic drama.
Jeffrey Maxwell – Corey Terrel/Officer Caldmaris/Young man
Born Jeffrey Maxwell Knott, this American actor is known for starring as Corey Terrel and other roles. Before the production of “Eight Is Enough,” Maxwell had had several minor roles on TV and in film. His first appearance was in “Young Frankenstein” (1974). He also made appearances in the TV series “The Waltons” in 1977 and “CHiPS” in 1979.
After his roles in “Eight Is Enough,” Maxwell landed one of his main roles in the war dramedy “M*A*S*H.” He played the role of Pvt. Igor Straminsky. To this date, it is Maxwell’s most well-known role. After “M*A”S*H,” Maxwell had several small parts in movies like “Odd Jobs” (1986) and the satirical musical “Divorce: The Musical” (2001).
Michael Griswold – Mr. Koppel/Mr. Gilette
This actor, Michael Griswold, starred in two roles as Mr. Koppel and Mr. Gilette. Griswold may not be a familiar face, but he has long been a regular on TV. Before his roles in “Eight Is Enough,” he had some minor roles in TV series like “The Incredible Hulk,” “Quincy M.E.,” and “Mannix.” The actor’s debut appearance was in “General Hospital."
Griswold’s career continued in the same stride after his appearances on “Eight Is Enough.” He had more acting parts, but most of them have been minor roles. The actor starred in “Dallas,” “Remington Steele,” and “Murder She Wrote.” He also starred in the popular soap operas, “The Bold and the Beautiful” and “Days of Our Lives.”
Judy Strangis – Noreen
Child-actor, Judy Strangis, played Noreen. When Strangis was only seven years old, she landed a role in the Western “Dragoon Wells Massacre.” This was about two decades before she appeared as Noreen in “Eight Is Enough.” In fact, before her time on the show, Strangis had quite an impressive repertoire. One of her most well-known roles was in “Electra Woman and Dyna Girl” where she played Dyna Girl.
Though starring in “Eight Is Enough” was one of Strangis’ later roles, the actress was not quite done. She took on another lead role as Goldie Girl in the TV series, “Goldie Girl and Action Jack.” In 1994, her final appearance was a voice-acting part in “Batman: The Animated Series.”
Larry Hankin – Garbage Man Drego/Max
This actor, Larry Hankin, may have started acting in the 1960s, but you’ve probably seen him before. If you were an uber fan of “Eight Is Enough,” you might know Hankin for his two roles in the TV show, as Max and Garbage Man Drego. The one thing that doesn’t stink is Hankin’s acting. Even before “Eight Is Enough,” the actor boasted numerous roles and performances. In 1979, Hankin starred as Charlie Butts in the classic film “Escape from Alcatraz.”
As the actor got older, the more impressive his resume got. The actor starred as Old Joe in “Breaking Bad” and the feature film “El Camino: The Breaking Bad Movie.”
Peggy Pope – Mrs. Conway/Rowena
While “Eight Is Enough” was a popular 1970s family series, this actress was not known for her performances in it. Actually, Peggy Pope was best known for her roles on stage. Her debut appearance was in the stage production “Mister Roberts.” In 1966, she had a breakout role in the classic film “The Trials of O’Brien.” A decade later, she starred in the two roles, Mrs. Conway and Rowena, in “Eight Is Enough.”
Decades after the series, Pope had various roles. She was in everything from “The Golden Girls” to “Law & Order.” Interestingly, during the 1980s, Pope really shined in her roles in “The Last Starfighter” and in “9 to 5” where she played Margaret. In 2016, the actress had her last role in the short film “Toys.”
Nedra Volz – Mrs. Yaterman/Thrift Store Customer
Even though, this actress had two minor roles in “Eight Is Enough” as Mrs. Yaterman and a store customer, she had a face for TV, especially light-hearted comedies. The actress had a sweet round face with twinkling eyes. One of the curious things about Volz was her route to showbiz. It was only well into her retirement that she started taking on roles. Her first was a small role in the film “Your Three Minutes Are Up.” Some years later she appeared in “Eight Is Enough.”
Some of Volz’s most notable roles came after the family series. She starred as Winona “Mother B” Beck in the TV series “Filthy Rich” and joined the cast of “The Dukes of Hazzard.” In January 2023, the actress sadly passed away.
Beans Morocco – Peter Bales/Registrar
With a name like Beans Morocco, you’d figure this actor would be a household name. If you’re a long-time fan of “Eight Is Enough,” you probably recognize his name on the credits as Morocco had two roles in the series. Up until his time in the family series, Morocco had had several minor roles in various TV series. These include the action series “Harry O” and “The Dukes of Hazzard.”
While Beans Morocco isn’t a household name, the actor should be. In total, he boasts 99 acting credits to his name. His most notable roles were as Bob the Janitor in “Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach” and Stanley Dewoski in “Used Cars.”
David Wayne - Matt
One of the funny things about guest stars and side actors is that they could be future stars, or even stars at the time, and that's pushed to the side for the small role that they're playing on TV. That's exactly the case with David Wayne. On "Eight Is Enough," Wayne played Matt, a character that only featured for one episode. Outside of this, Wayne was the first recipient of the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.
Wayne's career spanned five decades and between the stage and the screen, he had one of the strongest reputations in the industry. Sadly, he passed away in 1995, though he lives on in his performances.
Dan Monahan – Danny
Interestingly, starring as Danny in “Eight Is Enough” was the lucky break this Ohio actor needed. The actor made his debut on TV in the family series, but Don Monahan had a stroke of luck earlier in his acting career. After moving to New York, Monahan was cast in a Broadway production of “Richard III” starring Al Pacino. The actor’s career then took him to starring in film and TV.
Monahan’s most iconic role was as Edward “Pee Wee” Morris in the “Porky’s” trilogy. Before “Porky’s,” he joined the cast of the film “Only When I Laugh.” Two of his last roles were in the 1990s films “Shattered Illusions” and “Baby Geniuses.”
David Haskell – Curtis Watkins/Ed Gardner
Long before his two roles as Curtis Watkins and Ed Gardner in “Eight Is Enough,” American actor, David Haskell had already made a name for himself in entertainment. First, he starred in the stage production and musical “Godspell.” He must have been great in the production as he was cast in the film adaptation released in 1973.
After “Eight Is Enough,” Haskell had some success on TV. He had a recurring role in the series “Santa Barbara” as Nick Hartley and a minor role as Howard Graves in “Falcon Crest.” The last appearance Haskell made was as Smitty in “Home Improvement” in 1998. Sadly, the actor was diagnosed with brain cancer and passed away in 2000 at the age of 52.
Grace Gaynor – Mrs. Moore
This dark-haired beauty starred as Mrs. Moore. Before her appearance in “Eight Is Enough,” Grace Gaynor had already had some success on the silver screen. One of her notable works before “Eight Is Enough” was starring in the original “Guess Who’s Coming for Dinner” in 1967. She had two minor roles in “Hawaiian Eye” in the early 1960s and did the voice of Chickadee in the classic TV series “Batman.”
Though “Eight Is Enough” was one of the actress’s last credits, she was not quite done. She starred as Mrs. Underhill in the crime comedy “Fletch” and its sequel “Fletch Lives” with actor Chevy Chase in the lead role.
Lucille Benson – Joe Simon’s friend
In two episodes, we meet Joe Simons who takes on a grandfatherly friend to the young Nicholas Bradford. We also meet Simons’ friend played by the legendary and quirky actress, Lucille Benson. One thing most fans would associate with the actress was her heavy southern drawl. It was a distinct feature of the actress so that even before her time in “Eight Is Enough” she often featured in roles with such an accent as Widder Douglas in “Tom Sawyer” and its follow-up “Huckleberry Finn.”
Following her role in the family series, she still had plenty of acting to do. Some of her notable roles after “Eight Is Enough” were as Mrs. Elrod in “Halloween II” and Lily Sinclair in the TV series “Bosom Buddies.”
Charlene Tilton - Wendy Springer
Many people will recognize the beautiful Charlene Tilton from her starring role in "Dallas." But just a year before that, one of her debut roles was on "Eight Is Enough." Tilton played a conceited blonde who was the apple of Tommy Bradford's eye. Tilton was just 19, and while she didn't land a recurring role on the show, it certainly opened up doors. Shortly after, she cemented her place in Hollywood.
Since "Eight Is Enough," Tilton has become a stalwart in Hollywood and even had a couple marriages along the way. She even reprised her role of Lucy Ewing Cooper for a few episodes in the "Dallas" reboot.
Cliff Norton – Nathan
The late radio announcer and actor, Cliff Norton, played the part of Nathan in “Eight is Enough.” Before the shooting of this series, Norton had already become an established figure in entertainment, specifically as an announcer on Dave Garroway’s radio show. It was only a matter of time until Norton joined radio serials like “Terry and the Pirates.” Norton had a whole range of acting roles before joining “Eight Is Enough.” He appeared on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and “It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World.”
Norton still had plenty of acting to do after “Eight Is Enough.” He did voice work for the TV series “Pink Panther and Sons” in 1984. Overall, Norton had an impressive 133 acting credits to his name.
Creed Bratton - Merv
Your eyes do not deceive you. This really is Creed Bratton from "The Office!" We really mean it when we say everyone was on "Eight Is Enough" at some point in their careers. Bratton was an extra who was featured in only one episode, back in 1977. Bratton had an easily-missable role as a singer who preceded Tommy's performance.
This was one of Bratton's first TV appearances, right at the start of his career. It would be a while until he achieved widespread fame from "The Office," but he still had an impressive career as both an actor and musician in the meanwhile.
Beth Howland - Mavis
You know you're dealing with an old show when there was a young character named Mavis. Beth Howland was a star of the stage and small screen, best known for her role in the sitcom "Alice." On "Eight Is Enough," Howland landed a minor role that only lasted the one episode.
Outside of this, Howland sang and danced her way to four Golden Globe nominations, and featured in a number of guest appearances on TV. She even landed a few telefilms, though she never really attained widespread fame compared to her contemporaries. Sadly, Howland passed in 2015 after a long and fruitful career.
Jeffrey Byron – Jack Nasella/Rick
This actor, Jeffrey Byron, appeared in two roles on “Eight Is Enough.” He played Jack Nasella and Rick. Before starring in the family series, Byron had had a few minor roles in TV series and movies. The actor made his debut in the film “Donovan’s Reef” as Luki Dedham. After that, he made appearances in “The Fugitive” (1964) and “Dallas.”
Though “Eight is Enough” concluded more than 40 years ago, Byron is still going strong. One of his recent roles was as Thad Whorley in the 2023 thriller, “Deadly Draw.” He also was cast as a test administrator in the 2009 reboot of “Star Trek.”
Nicholas Pryor – Jeffrey Trout
One of the recurring characters in “Eight Is Enough” is Jeffrey Trout played by Nicholas Pryor. When it comes to showbiz, Pryor knows what he’s doing. He has an impressive 173 acting credits to his name. Even some A-listers can’t boast about the same. By the time Pryor joined the “Eight Is Enough” cast, he was a veteran in the acting world. He starred in a main role in the soap opera, “The Nurses.”
Whether it is film or TV, Pryor has plenty of experience in both. After “Eight Is Enough” the actor was cast in the movies “Smile” and “Airplane.” More recently, he has had cameos in the musical drama “Nashville” and “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.”
Dick Van Patten – Tom Bradford
As the patriarch of the Bradford bunch, Dick Van Patten plays one of the central roles in “Eight Is Enough.” Though one of Dick Van Patten’s most well-known roles was as the Bradford patriarch, he was already a veteran in entertainment before the series went on the air. Van Patten’s debut role on TV was as Nels Hansen in “Mama.”
After “Eight Is Enough” concluded in 1981, Van Patten continued to add more credentials to his name. In fact, some of his finest performances occurred in his later career. Van Patten starred as the Abbot in “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” and as King Roland in “Spaceballs.” The actor’s last role was in “Hot in Cleveland” in 2011. Four years later, Van Patter passed away.
Willie Aames – Tommy Bradford
Willie Aames played one of the Bradford brothers, Tommy. Owing to the popularity of the show, Aames became a teen idol during the late 1970s and 1980s. Though Aames was only 17 when he joined the cast of “Eight Is Enough,” he had already plenty of experience with showbiz. In 1971, Aames’ first role was as Leonard in “The Odd Couple.”
To this day, starring as Tommy Bradford has been one of Aames' most popular roles. He revived the role of Tommy for the two feature films “Eight Is Enough: A Family Reunion” and “An Eight Is Enough Wedding.” Other works the actor has starred in include Hank the Ranger in the TV series “Dungeons & Dragons” and the role of Buddy Lembeck in “Charles in Charge.”
Grant Goodeve – David Bradford
Interestingly, Grant Goodeve almost didn’t make the cut as the role of David Bradford was reserved for “Star Wars” actor, Mark Hamill. Fortunately, fate had other plans and Goodeve joined the “Eight Is Enough” cast. He played the role of David Bradford, the eldest Bradford son and child. With his good looks and smooth charisma, soon Bradford became a teen idol.
One of Goodeve’s notable works is still his role as the eldest Bradford child, but he is still taking on roles. He recently starred in the reboot of “Twin Peaks” as Walter Lawford and had minor roles in both “Devious Maids” and “Army Wives.” When Goodeve is not hanging around interesting female characters, he’s doing voice work like with the video game “F.E.A.R. First Encounter Assault Recon.”
Dianne Kay – Nancy Bradford
After the pilot episode, the producers of the series decided to recast the role of Nancy Bradford. Actress Dianne Kay was chosen for the role of the Bradford sister. While the show was on the air, Kay also starred in Steven Spielberg’s comedy film about World War 2 called “1941” (ironically released in 1979). Before her time on “Eight Is Enough,” Kay had had some experience on TV as she featured in an episode of “Starsky & Hutch.”
For the next two decades, the actress had several minor roles on TV including “The Love Boat” and “Murder She Wrote.” In 1999, Kay had her final appearance in an episode of “Diagnosis Murder.” After that, the actress officially retired from showbiz.
Warren Munson – Park Director/Principal
The veteran actor, Warren Munson, made two appearances as the park director and principal. As said, Munson is a veteran actor. He had had plenty of roles before briefly joining the “Eight Is Enough” cast. In 1966, Munson made his debut as M.C. in the TV series “The Farmer’s Daughter.” Over the next decade, he had several minor roles in TV series and movies like “The Rockford Files.”
Though it has been more than 40 years since “Eight Is Enough,” Munson has been busy. Munson has an impressive 123 acting credentials under his belt. In the 2000s, he starred in the romance movie “Down with Love” and the TV series “Scrubs.” His last known appearance was in the TV show “Las Vegas” in 2005.
Ed Griffith – Leonard Aaron/Mr. Moore
Not to be confused with the comedian Eddie Griffin, but TV actor, Ed Griffith starred as Leonard Aaron and Mr. Moore in this family series. By the time of the series’ shooting, Griffith had plenty of acting experience on TV. He starred in a main role in the classic TV show “Our Five Daughters.” His next major role was as Kip Rysdale in the TV series, “The Secret Storm.”
After his roles in “Eight is Enough, Griffith continued to make appearances. He expanded his range to films and starred in movies such as “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure,” but the majority of his roles were still on TV. The actor’s last appearance was in 1989 in “The Jigsaw Murders.” Griffith passed away in October 2005.
Henry Polic II – Jay Redding/Mr. Allen
Henry Polic is most well-known for his contributions to animations and cartoons, but he starred in “Eight Is Enough” as Jay Redding and Mr. Allen. One of his most notable performances was in the TV series “Webster.” Before there was Cillian Murphy, there was Henry Polic II who did the voice-acting for the villain Scarecrow and Dr. Jonathan Crane in “Batman: The Animated Series.”
Polic also did voice-acting roles in several other animations such as “The New Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo Show,” “The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries,” “The New Yogi Bear Show,” and “The Smurfs.” When Polic was not doing voice-acting, he also made appearances in “Murder She Wrote” and “Saved by the Bell.” Polic passed away in August 2013.
Will Greer – Sam
The legendary actor, Will Greer, starred as Sam in “Eight Is Enough.” You’d almost not recognize Greer by his birth name as he was born William Aughe Ghere. As said, Greer was a legendary actor. All in all, he had a total of 110 acting credentials to his name. Before “Eight Is Enough,” he had the memorable roles of Marshal Wyatt Earp in “Winchester ‘73” and The Grandfather in “The Waltons.”
Greer had a solid carer in showbiz. Before he left the silver screen, he had a handful of minor roles in “The Love Boat” and in the TV movie “Bunco” with Tom Selleck in the lead. His last role was as Thomas Garrett in the series “A Woman Called Moses” in 1978.
Jean Howell – Mrs. Marshall/Mrs. Evans
This classic actress starred as Mrs. Marshall and Mrs. Evans in the family series. Before her appearances in “Eight Is Enough,” Howell was an almost regular fixture on TV. From the 1950s to the 1970s, she had minor roles in just about everything on TV like “U.S. Marshall,” “Frontier Doctor,” and “Frontier Circus.” In 1967, Howell starred as Mary McCall in long-time-running “Days of Our Lives.” Interestingly, the actress’s most notable works were in the films, “The Fast and the Furious” (1954) and “Hell’s Crossroads” (1957).
Following “Eight Is Enough,” Howell continued to make appearances in shows like “Dallas” and “Little House on the Prairie.” Overall, the actress had 100 credits to her name before she passed away in July 1996.
Shawn Stevens – Jack Binder
You might remember the character Jack Binder in the episode “Brotherhood, Sisterhood” where Elizabeth winds up at a fraternity party. Binder was played by actor, Shawn Stevens, who since “Eight Is Enough” has had quite a successful career in showbiz. Steven’s lucky break was as the ‘orphan’ Kevin McKenzie in the TV series, “The MacKenzies of Paradise Cove.”
Following “Enough Is Enough,” One of Stevens’ most notable roles was as Oliver Martin in the popular soap opera “Days of Our Lives.” Decades after, Stevens continues to make appearances. In 2020, he starred as Otto in the film “Santa Box” and Grandpa Johnson in “Lucy Shimmers and the Prince of Peace.”
Danny Wells – Easy Art/Ed Foster
If you’re a long-time fan, you might have spotted actor Danny Wells in the final season. He played the role of Easy Art. This was not the actor’s only appearance in the series. He also starred as Ed Foster in another episode. The Canadian actor, Wells, had the perfect face for comedy. No wonder he had a lengthy career boasting 120 credits. Even before his roles in “Eight Is Enough,” Wells had a strong resume. He had had minor roles in “Starsky and Hutch” and “The Bionic Woman.”
Some of Wells’ most famous roles came much later – much much later. He joined the cast of the Paul Thomas Anderson film, “Magnolia,” and appeared in the film, “The Last Kiss.”
Peter Horton – Eric/Marty
You might remember Peter Horton playing Eric in the episode “Mother’s Rule.” Horton was 26 years old at the time of his appearance in “Eight Is Enough,” but he already had some experience in showbiz. Previously, he had starred as Wayne in the hit show “Dallas” and joined the cast of the 1979 crime mystery “She’s Dressed to Kill.”
It was after Horton’s appearances in “Eight Is Enough” that the actor’s career really took off. He landed the main role of Gary Shepherd in “Thirtysomething.” The actor’s career then took a different direction in the late 1990s, when he played more of a role behind the scenes. He was one of the producers of the successful medical series “Grey’s Anatomy” and “New Amsterdam.”