Adam Rich, the former child star who played Nicholas Bradford in ABC’s Eight Is Enough, has died at age 54, TMZ reports.
Rich appeared on the show throughout its five-season run from 1977 to 1981, where he portrayed the pageboy-haired son of Tom Bradford (Dick Van Patten).
According to TMZ and CNN, Rich died Saturday in his Los Angeles home, with a law enforcement source telling the outlet that his death was not foul play. Reps for Rich did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Mourners posted about the hairstyle that launched a thousand imitators and how he was a TV presence in their childhood. But those who knew him best also focused on his kindness and caring in his adult years, even as he struggled to overcome various issues in his life.
Particularly notable was the outpouring from fellow child stars of his vintage, who perhaps knew all too well about what massive early attention can do to the rest of your life.
