- This "Eight Is Enough" star has experienced misfortunes throughout her life.
- The TV actress suffered from three strokes, believed she had been kidnapped, and now lives in a trailer, having to dumpster dive to get by at times.
- Despite her poor living conditions and quality of life, she is a ferociously strong woman and continues to persevere.
This actress is best known for her unforgettable role in the popular 70s/80s sitcom "Eight Is Enough." The series plot follows the dynamic antics of a family of 10 and the rambunctious ways of the parents' eight children—Mary, David, Joanie, Nancy, Elizabeth, Susan, Tommy, and Nicholas Bradford.
The father, Tom Bradford, is a columnist for a Californian newspaper, while the mom, Joan Bradford, was a homemaker. After the mother's passing, the father goes on to marry a school teacher named Abby Abbott, and the family is whole again after this union.
Susan Bradford in "The Return of Auntie V" episode of "Eight Is Enough" in 1977 | Source: Getty Images
During the series, the kids develop their sense of independence, exploring relationships and friendships. The sitcom was based on a book with the same title, written by an actual real-life columnist, Thomas Braden, who raised eight children in real life.
The death of the Bradford mom was actually written into the script because of the real-life tragic passing of Diana Hyland, who played Joan Bradford. At the time, Hyland was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer and, unfortunately, had succumbed to the illness.
Dianne Kay, Susan Richardson, Laurie Walters, Lani O'Grady, Dick Van Patten, Connie Needham, Willie Aames, Adam Rich, and Grant Goodeve as their characters from "Eight Is Enough" in 1977 | Source: Getty Images
Actress Betty Buckley played the school teacher, Abby Abbott, and joined the cast in the show's second season after the tragedy. Abbott started tutoring one of the Bradford sons and eventually fell in love with Tom (the dad), and they got married.
The series later developed into a spinoff movie franchise, including "Eight Is Enough: A Family Reunion" in 1987 and "An Eight Is Enough Wedding" in 1989. The show also centered around the development of the children, who all went on to accomplish career and personal feats throughout the show. In the end, Richardson's character gets married to a professional baseball player, Merle Stockwell.
The mysterious actress's acting talents were first discovered in 1973 when phenomenal director George Lucas offered her a part in the film "American Graffiti." On the movie set, she met fellow actor Ron Howard, and shortly after, the actress scored another role on the ever-classic show, "Happy Days."
After her roles in "Happy Days" and "Eight Is Enough," she made several noteworthy appearances before living a life of seclusion in Pennsylvania. She was seen in "Battle of the Network Stars," "The $20,000 Pyramid," "Password Plus," "Match Game," "The Runaways," "Fantasy Island," "One Day at a Time," and "Soldiers of Innocence."
Susan Richardson at People Magazine's fifth anniversary celebration in Los Angeles, 1979 | Source: Getty Images
Her Chain of Unfortunate Circumstances
This renowned actress is Susan Richardson. She married Michael Virden on March 15, 1978. The couple was married for five years and had one child—Sarah Virden, before divorcing on August 12, 1983.
Currently, she is single and lives alone. Outside of her stint on "Eight Is Enough" and following her appearance in other series and films, Richardson's personal life had taken a turn for the worse.
Michael Virden and Susan Richardson outside of their home with their pet dog in 1979 | Source: Getty Images
While filming "Eight Is Enough," Richardson became pregnant. Her pregnancy was written into the show's plot as she gained 90 pounds during production. According to several sources, the "Soldiers of Innocence" star had felt increased pressure from the show's executives to lose all her baby weight.
This external pressure prompted Richardson to start abusing drugs to lose weight. Allegedly, she started to fear her weight gain had begun to place her career in jeopardy, which compelled her to start using.
Susan Richardson in her trainer | Source: Youtube.com/Inside Edition
After wrapping up her time on the show, the "Fantasy Island" actress's tailbone got severely injured at a concert. Following that incident, in a 2013 interview, Richardson disclosed that she lived as a recluse in a trailer with no heat.
The former actress also revealed that she had been diagnosed with diabetes and suffered from three mini-strokes. Richardson also lost all of her teeth as a result of digestive issues.
Susan Richardson's trailer | Source: Youtube.com/Inside Edition
Despite her brief mention of pursuing her creative endeavors in the form of writing children's books, little has been heard from the actress since her acting heydays.
While filming the final reunion episode of "Eight is Enough," Richardson asserted what was described as a "disturbing," "bizarre" claim. She believed that she was kidnapped and held hostage by Korean filmmakers.
Michael Virden and Susan Richardson inside their home in 1979 | Source: Getty Images
Skepticism and doubt about the actress's allegation started to damage her career, and "The Runaways" star endured a nervous breakdown. Despite the doubt and unbelief, Richardson still insisted that the allegation was, in fact, true, saying:
"They had a lot of insurance policies out on me, and they tried to blow me up in a church."
Susan Richardson at the 10th Annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles, 1983 | Source: Getty Images
Later that same year (1987), Richardson filed a federal lawsuit alleging that she had been lured into the kidnapping by being made a false offer to make a movie in South Korea. She claimed that once there, she was held against her will and sedated.
Susan Richardson in her trainer | Source: Youtube.com/Inside Edition
She also said she was made to believe she was brought to the country to shoot a film about lost children, but it ended up being a war film where she and many children were allegedly forced to work near live ammunition. Richardson said she was injured by an explosion that destroyed a church during a scene where she was set to appear.
Steven Brekke and Susan Richardson at The Rocky Horror Picture Show Opening Night Party in Hollywood, 1981 | Source: Getty Images
According to the former actress, the whole kidnapping was a conspiracy orchestrated by the film company members. The suit also alleged that her passport was taken, and she was kept sedated in a small, non-English-speaking hotel in a rural area.
Susan Richardson in her trainer | Source: Youtube.com/Inside Edition
She claims she was able to escape on her own accord. Still, due to bribery by her boss' associates and interference between the American embassy workers and the Korean National Police, she had received no help. After the intervention of an attorney hired by her mother, she said she was able to leave the country.
Richardson is one of eight surviving "Eight Is Enough" cast members.
Susan Richardson at the 16th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Los Angeles, 1981 | Source: Getty Images
Richardson's life today looks devastatingly different than when she was at the pinnacle of her career. She has endured a life riddled with medical problems after her acting pursuits stopped.
Additionally, the "Password Plus" talent weighs a worryingly mere 60 pounds, battles a rare esophagus disorder, and has seen drastic financial hardships. Now living in a run-down trailer with no heat, Richardson divulges:
"I had a series of mini-strokes. Then I discovered I had a rare disorder that made my esophagus go spastic. [Regarding my trailer], there's always something wrong with it. I desperately need a new trailer, but I can't afford it."
In an interview with Inside Edition, Richardson shared that her trailer does not include even the most basic entertainment amenities. Quite often, she finds herself dumpster diving at nearby camping grounds for second-hand goods for her home.
Richardson suffers from an esophagus ailment called Achalasia, the same sickness that plagued her entire family until their demise. At times, the condition is so severe that she struggles to eat nutritious meals and has to resort to using a feeding tube for 16 hours a day.
Susan Richardson during her interview with Inside Edition | Source: Youtube.com/Inside Edition
The actress's life has been challenging, but somehow, she manages to survive. Richardson shared:
"My mom died in '14, my little sister died in '15, [and] my father just died in '16, all from the same anomaly. [It's been] a really rough time, honey. I had three strokes. Eight years ago, they told me I wouldn't be here - I'm here!"
Susan Richardson and her daughter Sarah Virden at the taping of "Celebrity Challenge of the Sexes" in California, 1980 | Source: Getty Images
Susan Has Overcome All Her Difficulties and Now Embraces Her Life to the Fullest
Richardson is among the few surviving "Eight Is Enough" cast members. Despite being informed by medical professionals that she would not live as long as she has, she is still alive and defying those odds today. However, some of her castmates were not so lucky.
Adam Rich, who played the sweet little innocent Nicholas Bradford, tragically passed away at 54 in January 2023. After leaving the showbiz industry, Rich became a mental health advocate.
Another co-star, Lani O'Grady, who played Mary Bradford, had also lived a tough life, battling agoraphobia and memory blackouts. As a result, she had to retire from her acting career and shortly after tried out as a talent agent.
Additionally, O'Grady was battling a panic disorder and admitted to having a drug and alcohol dependency. In 2001, the actress sadly passed away from an overdose.
Hyland, as already mentioned, had passed away due to complications from her breast cancer diagnosis. Dick Van Patten, who played Tom Bradford, tragically died on June 23, 2015, from diabetes complications.
Richardson is one of eight surviving "Eight Is Enough" cast members. Though the actress has seen some extremely challenging times, she has made it through and continues to make the best of her current situation.
Today, Richardson spends her time illustrating children's books, one of which—"Really Loose Mother Goose"—has already been published. She also plays the piano and still enjoys interacting with the occasional fan who pops up and sends her cards wishing her well.
Richardson is still fondly remembered by fans who loved her on "Eight Is Enough." In addition to the frequent get-well cards she receives, many fans have taken to social media to voice their loving opinions of the former actress. A Twitter user affectionately pointed out that he had a crush on Richardson on the show:
"'Eight Is Enough.' I had a huge crush on Susan Richardson."
Many fans also shared endearing pictures and memories of the red-headed beauty, recalling her charm on the show. One commenter, in particular, revealed she was once neighbors with Richardson:
"I was neighbors in a trailer park with Susan Richardson from 'Eight Is Enough.'"
Although not much is known about Richardson's daughter, Sarah, or their relationship status or whereabouts, Richardson still maintains contact with old friends and her fans. She has even made a few critter friends, like squirrels who enter the star's campground residence.
Since being cast in "Eight Is Enough," Richardson has been through a lot." She has seen the worst of her days and still managed to overcome them through endurance and tenacity. Although her current lifestyle is not ideal, the former star has learned to roll with the punches and still finds some joy in life.
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