David Cassidy on the Web
Where are they now? The Partridge Family
Find out what happened to your favorite cast members of the popular 1970s show
September 25, 2012
By Imaeyen Ibanga
www.hlntv.com
It may seem implausible that a widow and her five children could become the nation's most successful pop act. But it is the storyline of "The Partridge Family."
The fictionalized clan first debuted on its eponymous show on Sept. 25, 1970. Within two months, the show would have a No. 1 hit with "I Think I Love You" and be a national sensation. It achieved all this success despite the fact that the songs weren't recorded by the fake family, but rather a team of skilled musicians.
Find out what happened to members of "The Partridge Family." Hint: No one ended up in a pear tree.
"The Partridge Family:" It premiered in the 8:30 p.m. ET time slot on ABC and focused on a suburban widow taking her children on cross-country musical tours. The show, which had quite possibly the most iconic school bus of all time, encouraged the nation to "Come on, Get Happy." Viewers obliged until 1974 when the show was cancelled.
Shirley Jones: Even before "The Partridge Family," she had an extensive acting career dating back to the 1950s. But as Shirley Renfrew Partridge, Jones cemented herself as one of the most memorable mothers in television history. She literally was a rocking mom. It may have helped that her real-life stepson, David Cassidy, played her progeny. Post-Partridge, Jones starred in a string of TV movies. Her latest project is "Johnny Blue," a drama scheduled for 2014, according to IMBD.com.
David Cassidy: "The Partridge Family" made him a teen idol. If Keith Partridge had the look, then David Cassidy had the voice. He owned the 1970s. He was the lead singer on the show's recordings and launched his solo career. Today, he still sings and acts. He appeared as a contestant on "Celebrity Apprentice" 2011 but didn't win.
Susan Dey: Lightning struck twice for Susan Dey. The former model played Laurie Partridge on the hit '70s show. And though she turned down the role of Sandy in "Grease," she got redemption in the '80s hit "L.A. Law." That's two blockbusters in two different decades. The '90s and '00s would show less work from Dey. According to IMDB, her last project was in 2004 on "Third Watch."
Danny Bonaduce: Danny Partridge may have given him prominence initially, but it was Bonaduce's bad-boy antics that kept him in headlines post-puberty. After "The Partridge Family" was cancelled, Bonaduce continued to act. But his trouble with the law and alcohol seemed to generate more interest than his roles. He rebounded with a successful career as a radio personality. He even starred in some reality shows, including one where he tried to help VH1 find the next generation of Partridges with the show, "In Search of The Partridge Family."
