Adam Rich, former child star who made his name in the ABC comedy-drama Eight Is Enough died due to the “effects of fentanyl”, according to a new report from the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office.
The 54-year-old was found deceased in his home in Los Angeles on January 8, with the report from the Medical Examiner’s Office now listing his death as an “accident”, as per Fox News.
Rich was best known for his role as Nicholas Bradford in the hit television series Eight is Enough, which ran from 1977 to 1981, having joined the show when he was just 8 years old.
Rich was born on October 12, 1968. Before landing his big role in Eight is Enough, he’d been involved in a few minor projects including an appearance in one episode of The Six Million Dollar Man and in the TV movie The City.
Yet it was through Eight is Enough that Rich found fame, being dubbed “America’s Little Brother” during his time on the show.
Following his run on Eight is Enough, the actor also appeared in Dungeons & Dragons, Baywatch, Small Wonder, Gun Shy, Code Red and CHiPs.
Though Rich found success on the small screen, however, his personal life was sporadically plagued by trouble.
He tried marujuana for the first time when he was 14 years old, before dropping out of high school at the age of 17. In 1991, he almost died of a valium overdose. In 2002, he was arrested on the charge of attempted burglary of a pharmacy, before later that same year being arrested for DUI.
Rich’s death was announced by his representative Danny Deraney in a statement shared to Twitter.
“Adam was simply a wonderful guy. He was kind, generous and a warrior in the fight against mental illness,” Deraney wrote.
“Adam did not have an ounce of ego. He was unselfish and always looked out for those he cared about. Which is why many people who grew up with him feel a part of their childhood gone, and sad today. He really was America‘s Little Brother.”
Rest in peace, Adam Rich. We’ll always remember you!
Share this article if you’d also like to pay your respects to ‘America’s Little Brother’.
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