Word has come in that actor Adam Rich has died. A former child star best known for his role in the classic TV series Eight Is Enough, Rich was reportedly found dead at his home in Los Angeles on Saturday. Per TMZ, the cause of death has not yet been revealed, but it was divulged that Rich was found deceased by an unnamed person who came to his house. Foul play is said to not be a factor. Rich was 54 years old.

Rich was just eight years old when he landed the role of Nicholas in Eight Is Enough, serving as a main cast member on the series from 1977 to 1981. He’d follow this up with a main role in the series Code Red which ran for one season from 1981 to 1982. Rich also notably provided the voice of Presto, the Magician in the animated Dungeons & Dragons cartoon from the 1980s. The young actor would appear in other shows in the 1980s like Fantasy Island, CHiPs, St. Elsewhere, Silver Spoons, and Small Wonder. After reprising his role as Nicholas for the TV movie An Eight Is Enough wedding, Rich would appear in an episode of 1993’s Baywatch before walking away from acting.

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While mostly retired as an actor, Rich did make a special appearance as himself in the 2003 comedy Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, featured alongside many other former child stars from decades past. He also participated in CNN’s The History of the Sitcom in 2021, and as a result, he looked back at his life as a former child star who rose to fame in the 1970s.

At the time, Rich posted to Instagram, “Honored to be included! Thx CNN! I’m grateful for the joy felt while working on 8!… I do hope it may have brought you some joy as well.”

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Adam Rich Retreated from Acting After Growing Up

Life was not easy for Rich after finding fame as a child star. He dropped out of high school by age 17 and nearly died of a valium overdose just a few years later in 1989. Legal problems were soon to follow, as he would be arrested at different points in his life in addition to spending multiple stints in rehab. At one point, his Eight Is Enough dad, Dick Van Patten, paid for Rich’s bail. In 1996, Rich would also make the news for participating in a death hoax for the purpose of satirizing celebrity deaths for Might Magazine.

“Adam was simply a wonderful guy. He was kind, generous, and a warrior in the fight against mental illness,” a statement released by his manager, Danny Deraney, reads. “Adam did not have an ounce of ego. He was unselfish and always looked out for those he cared about. Which is why many people who grew up with him feel a part of their childhood gone, and sad today. He really was Americas Little Brother.”

Rest in peace, Adam Rich.