'Eight Is Enough': Where the Cast Is Today

Eight Is Enough was an ABC comedy-drama inspired by newspaper columnist Thomas Braden's book. The series ran from 1977 to 1981 and was canceled in its fifth season amid declining ratings and rising production costs. Its popularity led to two reunion TV movies: Eight is Enough: A Family Reunion (1987) and An Eight is Enough Wedding (1989), which reunited the cast from seasons two through five.

Dick Van Patten, who played patriarch Tom Bradford Sr., enjoyed a long career across TV and film before his death on June 23, 2015, from complications of diabetes. Diana Hyland, who appeared in the first season as Joan Bradford, died of breast cancer on March 27, 1977; her death was written into the show and the character of Tom was later remarried to Betty Buckley's Abby Bradford.

Buckley joined in season two, has an extensive stage and screen career including a Tony Award, and as of 2026 remains active in the entertainment industry. The Bradford children followed varied paths.

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