The Partridge Family, a hit musical sitcom that charmed audiences in the 1970s, launched the careers of several young actors and solidified others. The show, centered around a widowed mother and her five children who form a pop-rock band, became a cultural phenomenon. Let’s take a look at what happened to the cast of the Partridge Family after the curtains closed on the beloved series.
David Cassidy as Keith Partridge
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David Cassidy, portraying the teen heartthrob Keith Partridge, the eldest son and lead singer, became an instant sensation. His portrayal in The Partridge Family catapulted him to global teen idol status. Riding the wave of the show’s popularity and the catchy original songs featured, Cassidy ventured into a successful solo music career while still starring in the series. He released five albums during the show’s run, further cementing his pop star image.
However, life after teen stardom presented challenges for Cassidy. He faced personal struggles in later years, battling with substance abuse and legal issues. He was arrested for DUI in 2010, 2013, and 2014. Following his third arrest, his then-wife, Sue Shifrin-Cassidy, filed for divorce. Financial difficulties also arose, leading him to file for bankruptcy in 2015, the same year he was charged after a hit-and-run incident. Cassidy openly discussed his struggles with substance abuse and underwent rehab in 2014. In a poignant revelation in 2017, he shared his diagnosis of dementia, a condition that had also affected his mother and grandfather. Sadly, David Cassidy passed away at the age of 67 in November 2017 due to liver and kidney failure. In a posthumously aired interview, Cassidy made a startling confession that he had fabricated his dementia diagnosis and was still battling alcoholism, despite public claims of sobriety.
Shirley Jones as Shirley Partridge
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Shirley Jones, who played the widowed matriarch Shirley Partridge, brought a seasoned Hollywood presence to the show. Prior to The Partridge Family, Jones was already an established actress with a notable musical background. She had achieved critical acclaim and won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Elmer Gantry. Interestingly, she starred alongside her real-life stepson, David Cassidy, in The Partridge Family.
Reflecting on her role as Shirley Partridge, Jones acknowledged the double-edged sword of starring in a successful TV series. In a 2009 interview, she mentioned her agents’ warning that taking on a series could lead to being typecast and hindering her film career. While recognizing this came to pass, Jones expressed no regrets about her time on the show. After divorcing Jack Cassidy in 1974 and marrying Marty Ingels in 1977, Jones continued her acting career. When asked about similarities to her breezy on-screen persona, Shirley Jones admitted to the AP that she is “nowhere near as breezy and uncomplicated as Mrs. Partridge.”
Danny Bonaduce as Danny Partridge
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Danny Bonaduce played the wisecracking middle child, Danny Partridge. Shirley Jones described his character as [“a wild child who came from an unhappy home”]. Bonaduce was a preteen when he joined the cast of The Partridge Family. After the series concluded, he secured guest roles on various TV shows and a starring role in the 1978 film Corvette Summer with Mark Hamill.
Beyond acting, Bonaduce built a long-lasting career as a radio talk show host. However, his personal life often overshadowed his professional achievements, marked by struggles with drug abuse and alcoholism. He openly addressed these issues in his 2005 reality show, Breaking Bonaduce. Bonaduce married Amy Railsback, his third wife, in 2010, and has two children from his second marriage, Countess Isabella and Count Dante. In 2022, Bonaduce took a break from his radio show due to a mysterious illness that impacted his ability to walk.
Susan Dey as Laurie Partridge
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Susan Dey, at the young age of 17, took on the role of Laurie Partridge, the level-headed older daughter. In her memoir, Shirley Jones revealed that Dey was the only cast member who consistently declined participation in any Partridge Family reunions after the show ended.
Following The Partridge Family, Dey achieved further success starring in L.A. Law from 1986 to 1992. Her performance in this legal drama earned her a Golden Globe Award in 1988. Married to her second husband, Bernard Sofronski, since 1988, Susan Dey has maintained a relatively private life since her last on-screen appearances in two episodes of Third Watch in 2004. She has one daughter from a previous marriage.
Dave Madden as Reuben Kincaid
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Dave Madden was known for his comedic portrayal of Reuben Kincaid, the Partridge Family’s often exasperated manager. Before The Partridge Family, Madden gained recognition as a comedian after appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show. He continued to work steadily in television, making numerous guest appearances and securing a recurring role on the long-running sitcom Alice.
Dave Madden passed away in 2014 at the age of 82 due to complications from myelodysplastic syndrome. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
Suzanne Crough as Tracy Partridge
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Suzanne Crough played the youngest Partridge sibling, Tracy. After her role in The Partridge Family, Crough largely stepped away from Hollywood. Her last on-screen credit was in a 1980 TV movie. She married William Condray in 1985.
Tragically, Suzanne Crough died suddenly in 2015 at the age of 52 at her home in Nevada due to a rare form of cardiomyopathy. Danny Bonaduce poignantly remarked on her passing, “Everyone thought I’d be the first Partridge to go. Sadly it was little Tracy. Suzanne was a wonderful lady and a good mom. She will be missed.”
Brian Forster as Chris Partridge
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Brian Forster took over the role of the drummer Chris Partridge in The Partridge Family in 1971 after Jeremy Gelbwaks, the original actor, left the show. Forster recalled his excitement upon being cast, stating, “I remember being in fourth or fifth grade, dancing around to ‘I Think I Love You’ and all of a sudden I was going to be on the show, so I was pretty excited.” Since the series ended in 1974, Forster explored race car driving in the early 2000s and continues to act occasionally outside of mainstream Hollywood.
The cast of The Partridge Family left an indelible mark on television history. While the show itself was relatively short-lived, its impact on pop culture and the subsequent paths of its cast members continue to fascinate audiences today.
