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'The Partridge Family' "The Partridge Family" was a sitcom about a widowed mother and her five children who were trying to make it as musicians. The show, which ran on ABC from 1970-1974, became a huge hit, not only for the show itself, but also for the music. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)![david_cassidythen]()
Then: David Cassidy David Cassidy had small roles on several TV shows before getting his big break at the age of 20 as Shirley's teenage stepson Keith Partridge. (Shirley Jones was also his step-mother in real life, by the way). The show turned David into an instant teen idol with a rabid worldwide tween fan base. There was nobody in the world bigger than David Cassidy at his height - not even John Lennon. (Get it?) Yet, as TV stars always do, David grew tired of the show and tried to distance himself from his squeaky clean character by giving a controversial interview with Rolling Stone in 1972 in which he discussed his sex life and former drug use. What's the saying - you don't know what you have until it's gone? (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)![Now: David Cassidy]()
Now: David Cassidy David enjoyed modest success as a solo artist throughout the '70s and '80s and continues to perform concerts today. He's also still working in TV, starring in the ABC Family series "Ruby & The Rockits," created by his half-brother, another '70s teen idol, Shaun Cassidy. He was also on "Celebrity Apprentice" in 2011. He has been arrested several times for DUI. (AP)![Susan_Deythen]()
Then: Susan Dey Susan Dey was a model with no previous acting experience when she was cast as Laurie Partridge at the age of 18. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)![Now: Susan Dey]()
Now: Susan Dey Susan continued to work on TV following the series and actually became as - or even more - famous when she starred on the smash hit NBC drama "LA Law" from 1986-1992. Dey has now mostly retired from acting and serves as a board member of the Rape Treatment Center at UCLA Medical Center. (Reuters)![Danny_Bonaducethen]()
Then: Danny Bonaduce The role of Danny Partridge made Danny Bonaduce a mega-star at age 10. You can probably guess what happened next... (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)![Now: Danny Bonaduce]()
Now: Danny Bonaduce After the show, Danny struggled with addictions to drugs and alcohol and even became homeless at one point. He cleaned up his act in the '80s, becoming a successful radio personality. Then in 2005 he starred in his own train wreck of a reality show, "Breaking Bonaduce" and in 2007 he was the host and judge of the VH1 series “I Know My Kid’s a Star.” Today, Danny makes personal appearances on TV and radio, and often gets in the ring for celebrity bouts with other stars past their prime. (AP)![Shirley_Jones_AP]()
Then: Shirley Jones Shirley Jones enjoyed a successful career in theater and film through the '50s and '60s, even winning an Oscar for her performance in the 1960 film "Elmer Gantry." As film roles began to dwindle, she revived her career by accepting the role of widowed mother-of-five Shirley Partridge in 1970. (AP)![Now: Shirley Jones]()
Now: Shirley Jones After the show, Shirley returned to the stage and made countless guest appearances on hit shows such as "Law and Order: SVU," "Melrose Place," "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch" and many more. In 2008, she had a recurring role on "Days of Our Lives" and she also released an album, "Shirley Jones - Then & Now" featuring 24 songs from her musical career. (AP)Then/ now: Our favorite 'Partridge Family' stars
Taking a look back at the iconic '70s sitcom.
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- Then/ now: Our favorite 'Partridge Family' stars
