Kristy’s Voice
McNichol’s work has continued, and she made an appearance on “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” which starred Mark Hamill and Dennis Quaid. She won a “Best Supporting Actress” Golden Globe Award working on “Only When I Laugh,” and joined “Empty Nest” for a few seasons.
She’s still part of the industry and has become a voice-acting expert, joining numerous other stars (including Mark Hamill) who have moved from behind the camera to behind the mic, appearing on animated shows like “Extreme Ghostbusters” and “Invasion America.”
Melissa Gilbert
Melissa Gilbert first made her mark as the main character of Little House on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls, also known as “Half-Pint.” But she's also been in other works such as "The Miracle Worker" and "The Diary of Anne Frank." She also showed up on commercials and a few other shows before her breakout.
She's still going strong, though her name might not be on everyone's tongue. She got a spot on the reality TV show "Dancing With the Stars," has played her original character's mother (Caroline “Ma” Ingalls) in the touring production of "Little House on the Prairie, the Musical," and has added her voice to "Batman: The Animated Series."
Kristy McNichol
While she made her start in commercials at a young age, McNichol appeared as a guest star on "Starsky & Hutch," "The Bionic Woman," "Love American Style," and "The Love Boat." She had a starring role as Patricia Apple in the show "Apple's Way" and has earned two Emmys for Best Supporting Actress for her work in "Family."
Her acting took side stage as she worked on her singing career, releasing "Kristy & Jimmy McNichol" for RCA records, which included the hit single “He's So Fine.”
David Cassidy
Cassidy had already appeared on "Ironside," "Marcus Welby, M.D.," "Adam-12," and "Bonanza" when producers decided he had the look of a heartthrob and hired him for the role of Keith Partridge, the lead singer on the 70's hit "The Partridge Family." The Family went on to produce ten albums, and Cassidy has released five solo albums.
All of the albums have been huge successes. Cassidy toured around the world, and his accolades and accomplishments are extensive, but not all was well: Cassidy filed for bankruptcy in 2015.
David’s Diagnosis and Death
In 2017, David Cassidy made appearances in shows, appearing disoriented, erratic, and confused. Many attributed the behavior to drunkenness until David announced he had been diagnosed with dementia. His mother died from the same condition, meaning Cassidy had expected the diagnosis and wasn't surprised.
But, surprisingly, Cassidy later admitted he didn't have dementia, admitting that, yes, it was the effects of alcohol at the root of his behavior. David Cassidy would later die of liver failure at the age of sixty-seven, on November 21, 2017.