Details about adam richThe final moments of ‘revealed.
THE eight is enough The actor died in January at the age of 54 from an accidental fentanyl overdose, according to the LA County medical examiner’s autopsy report obtained by TMZ.
Although his cause of death was attributed to the opioid, Rich also had non-toxic amounts of alcohol and lorazepam – a drug that treats anxiety – in his system at the time, according to the report.
Law enforcement sources told the outlet in January that her body was discovered at her Los Angeles-area home.
Rich’s representative Danny Deraney confirmed his cause of death to E! News, adding that he was prescribed lorazepam by his doctor and the star had been drug-free “for some time.”
“If there’s a silver lining, it’s that our suspicions were correct that it was an accidental overdose of fentanyl and not recreational drugs,” Deraney told E! News. News. “We hope this closes the chapter on the suspicions people had and now the family can have some privacy as we move forward.”
Celebrity Deaths: The Fallen Stars of 2023
Rich was born in Brooklyn, New York, and landed his first role in a 1976 episode of The Six Million Dollar Man when he was about 8 years old. The following year, he made his debut on Eight is enough playing his best-known role – as younger son Nicholas Bradford, who popularized the “pageboy” haircut – on the ABC show until its end in 1981.
“Adam was just a great guy,” Deraney wrote on Twitter after his death. “He was kind, generous and a warrior in the fight against mental illness. Adam didn’t have an ounce of ego. He was selfless and always looked out for those he loved. That’s why many people who have grown up with him feel a part of their childhood gone, and sad today.”
The rep put it simply, “He really was America’s little brother.”
However, to the actress Betty Buckleyhe was her on-screen stepson, at least.
“Adam Rich was a light and my young pal for all four seasons I was lucky enough to work with him on ‘Eight Is Enough’,” the 75-year-old, who played Abby Bradford on the show, wrote on Instagram in January. “I adored him and loved working with him in our scenes together on the show. He was so sweet, funny, fresh and natural. He brought a lot of joy to us on the show and to our audience.”
Explaining that she’s remained friends with Rich all these years, Buckley continued, “His love and support has always meant a lot to me. I’m shocked at the news…for the past few years, Adam has dedicated himself to inspiring others with mental disorders and emotional illness I will miss him very much.
The former child star also worked on the TV series code red, CBS Children’s Theater of Mystery And Dungeons & Dragons In the 1980’s.
However, Rich struggled with drug addiction and received drug treatment at the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif., in 1988 and 1991, according to The Associated Press. In 2021, Rich described himself on social media as a recovering drug addict and said he was battling “treatment resistant depression”.
“The two mental illnesses”, he tweeted. “Both are bitches without the negativity. PLEASE let’s finally end the stigma associated with these diseases!!!”
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News app