Eight Is Enough star Adam Rich, who retreated from Hollywood after child star career, is dead at 54

Adam Rich, who starred as the youngest son on the popular series Eight Is Enough, has died at age 54.

A family member revealed that the former actor had died at his home on Saturday, according to TMZ.

Law enforcement sources told the publication that police visited Rich’s home and found him dead.

The family member did not reveal his cause of death, but police sources said it did not appear to be foul play. 

Child star: Adam Rich, who starred as the youngest son on the popular series Eight Is Enough, has died at age 54; pictured on the right in 2019 in Hollywood

Adam had starred in a number of projects throughout his career, which began after he was cast in the late 1970s ABC sitcom, Eight Is Enough, as Nicholas Bradford, when he was just eight years old. 

The series, which aired for a total of five seasons, had followed the premise of, ‘a family with eight very independent children,’ according to an IMDB synopsis.   

Following the show, he additionally made appearances in shows such as Code Red, which lasted for one season, and Dungeons And Dragons. He also worked on the 1997 film, The City. 

However, the talented star made the decision to step away from Hollywood and the entertainment industry in the ’80s to stay out of the limelight, and opted for a more private life.

Cause of death unknown: The family member did not reveal his cause of death, but police sources said it did not appear to be foul play

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Adam was born in 1968, and lived most of his life in Los Angeles. His career took off when he began learning from a drama teacher at Chatsworth High School, who had also taught talented stars such as Top Gun alum, Val Kilmer. 

One of the actor’s last credits included the 2003 comedy, Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, where he played himself in the film. 

Adam was also reportedly linked to substance abuse, which led to an arrest in 1991, after he broke a pharmacy window in order to steal drugs, reported TV Line. 

Dick Van Patten, who played the role of his father, Tom Bradford, in Eight Is Enough, had bailed him out following the arrest.  

Notable role: Adam had starred in a number of projects throughout his career, which began after he was cast in the late 1970s ABC sitcom, Eight Is Enough, when he was eight years old

Stepping away from Hollywood: However, the talented star made the decision to step away from Hollywood and the entertainment industry in the ’80s for a more private life

When he was only 14-years-old, Rich had tried marijuana, and later made the choice to drop out of high school when he was 17. 

In 1996, the former child star was part of a ‘death hoax’ which involved the San Francisco magazine titled, Might, publishing a story, with Adam’s consent, that he had been murdered. 

One of the magazine’s writers, David Eggers, had written about the incident in his own 2000 book called, A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius. 

Shortly after the news of his death was confirmed by law enforcement and a family member to TMZ, fans of Adam jumped to social media outlets on Sunday to express their sadness and condolences to his family.  

Substance abuse: When he was only 14-years-old, Rich had tried marijuana, and later made the choice to drop out of high school when he was 17

Talented: The former child star had also starred in the short-lived series, Code Red, which lasted for one season

Reaction: Shortly after the news of his death, fans of Adam jumped to social media outlets on Sunday to express their sadness and condolences to his family; pictured in 1983 

One fan had penned in a tweet, ‘I was a big, no, huge fan of #EightIsEnough This is heartbreaking. #RIP #AdamRich.’ 

Adam Baldwin, known for starring in the series Chuck, and the film, Full Metal Jacket, expressed his sadness, and wrote, ‘R.I.P Adam Rich.’

American filmmaker, Jay Duplass, penned, ‘they don’t make em like they used to RIP Adam Rich,’ followed by a black heart emoji and a throwback photo of the late actor as a child. 

Another social media user typed out, ‘Very sad to hear about Adam Rich passing. He was a welcomed guest in my home every week when I was growing up. My condolences to his loved ones. Rest in Power.’