'The Partridge Family' actor Dave Madden dies at 82

This 1970 photo released by courtesy of Sony Pictures Television shows, back row, from left, cast members, Shirley Jones, Dave Madden, David Cassidy, Susan Dey, and front row, from left, Brian Forster, Danny Bonaduce and Suzanne Crough of the television series, "The Partridge Family." Madden, who played the child-hating agent on the hit 1970s sitcom, died in Florida on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014, at age 82. (AP Photo/Copyright CPT Holdings Inc, Courtesy Sony Pictures Television)

The actor who played the child-hating agent on the hit 1970s sitcom "The Partridge Family" has died in Florida. Dave Madden was 82.

His niece Mary Frances Miller says he died Thursday at a hospice center near his home in the Jacksonville area.

Madden was best known for his role as Reuben Kinkaid, who managed the family band and clashed with the precocious pre-teen bassist played by Danny Bonaduce.

Before "The Partridge Family," Madden was part of the comedy ensemble on the "Laugh-In" variety series. He later had a recurring role as a customer at Mel's Diner on the long-running sitcom "Alice."

Madden was born in Ontario, Canada, and grew up in Terre Haute, Ind.

He began show business as a nightclub comic and landed his first acting job on the short-lived sitcom "Camp Runamuck" in the mid-1960s.