A former child star, known for his role in an iconic ABC adventure series, captured the hearts of fans as both a singer and actor during his heyday.
However, he made the surprising decision to retreat from the limelight at the peak of his fame, leaving many admirers astonished by his transformation since then.
This is the journey of the ’70s heartthrob, who stepped away from the glitz and glamour of fame, despite coming from a family steeped in success.
His childhood was divided between Los Angeles and New York City. While still a high school student, he signed a contract with Warner Brothers Records, leading to the release of three multi-platinum albums, multiple top-ten hits, and a series of sold-out concerts across the country.
As he performed popular tracks like ‘Da Doo Ron Ron’ and ‘That’s Rock ‘n’ Roll,’ he often found himself overwhelmed by fans clamoring for his attention. They would climb on his car, tug at his hair, and even chase him out of Dodger Stadium during the 1977 World Series.
At nearly the same time, he captivated audiences as a star of The Hardy Boys Mysteries, solidifying his place in the entertainment industry.
The public figure managed to navigate the typical pitfalls of adolescent fame, crediting his family for keeping him grounded. “By the time I became successful at 18, three other people in my family had already been wildly successful,” he shared with Page Six.
“My father was a matinee idol on Broadway, my mother was an Academy Award winner at 24, and (his half-brother) David was a very big pop star,” he continued. He elaborated that witnessing his family’s experience with fame helped him avoid becoming overly attached to his own success.
Looking back on those days, the singer reflected, “I have a weird career. I had a very explosive first act and then at 21, went into hiding. And I don’t know what inspired that other than I think I was not necessarily wanting to continue on the path of a performer.”
In 1980, the Hollywood star performed in front of an audience of nearly 55,000 at the now-demolished Houston Astrodome, telling the crowd he would “see them soon” before stepping away from the spotlight, leaving behind his satin pants and microphone.
Years later, he contemplated that decision, admitting he often wondered how his younger self managed to cope with such fame. “I’m still trying to figure it out. But I do think going away from it saved it for me,” he told People.
In contrast, the story of Shaun Cassidy‘s half-brother, David Cassidy, took a much different path, with a life that sharply contrasted Shaun’s experience as a teen idol.
David, best known for his role in the 1970s sitcom “The Partridge Family,” struggled with alcohol addiction throughout his life. His battles with substance abuse became a prominent part of his narrative.
In 2008, David candidly acknowledged his issues with alcohol, and later sought rehab in 2014. Shaun reflected on the challenges of witnessing David’s struggles, noting that it was extremely difficult to watch his brother grapple with alcoholism. “It is a painful experience many families face,” he remarked, adding that managing such a situation is often complicated, with no definitive guide.
In 2017, David sadly passed away at the age of 67 due to liver and kidney failure after years of fighting addiction. He was the only son of Jack Cassidy and Evelyn Ward. Jack later married Shirley Jones, the star of Oklahoma, and together they had three sons: Shaun, Patrick, and Ryan.
Despite the family turmoil caused by his alcoholism, the family rallied to support David during his final days.
Through family challenges and dealing with grief, Shaun ultimately carved out his own path to happiness. He has been married three times, starting with former Playboy model Ann Pennington, with whom he shares two children, Caitlin and John Cassidy.
Shaun later married actress Susan Diol, known for her roles in Quantum Leap and Star Trek, and they welcomed a daughter, Juliet Cassidy.
Currently, Shaun is happily married to TV producer Tracey Lynne Turner, whom he wed in August 2004. Together, they have four children, bringing Shaun’s total to eight, having welcomed children with all three of his wives.
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