08 January 2023 , 15:25
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American actor Adam Rich has died aged 54.
A family member confirmed the news that the former child star died on Saturday at his L.A. area home.
Adam is best known for playing Nicholas Bradford, the youngest son on sitcom Eight Is Enough between 1977 and 1981.
The actor turned his back on showbiz in the 1980s after growing tired of the media attention starring in a hit show brought.
Adam battled substance abuse issues and was arrested in 1991 after smashing a pharmacy window in a bid to obtain drugs, according to TMZ.
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He was bailed out by Dick Van Patten, his TV dad on "Eight Is Enough."
Former child star Adam Rich has died at the age of 54 (Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)Adam made a brief return to TV work in 2003 when he starred in a cameo role in the David Spade movie Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, and made an appearance on Reel Comedy playing Crocodile Dundee.
As a child, Adam attended Chatsworth High School and was taught drama by the same teacher who also taught Hollywood icons Kevin Spacey and Val Kilmer.
His other acting credits are made up of bit parts on shows including The Six Million Dollar Man, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, CHiPs, Silver Spoons, St. Elsewhere, Baywatch and Small Wonder.
He also starred in a more significant role in Code Red as well as appearing in commercials for Betty Crocker and Nabisco as a young boy.
Adam found fame at an early ageThe 80's star also did voice-over work alongside his Eight Is Enough co-star Willie Aimes on the legendary Dungeons and Dragons.
Adam was troubled by drug use from a young age, having tried marijuana for the first time at just 14 years old.
He stopped out of school when he was 17 in 1986 and by 1989 he almost died after taking a valium overdose.
In 1996 Adam was part of a media hoax published in San-Francisco magazine Might, claiming that he had been murdered. The story had been printed with his consent, with writer Dave Eggers also including details of the tale in his memoirs A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius.
The actor had struggled with sobriety for many years in the pastThe star was arrested in 2002 for driving under the influence, struggling to maintain sobriety he took part in drug rehabilitation three times.
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In 2013 Adam appeared to have new purpose in life when he started making public appearances and pitching ideas for both TV shows and movies.
As a child Adam's hobbies included an avid interest in sports, namely baseball, football, bicycle riding, skateboarding, and swimming.
He also had an artistic streak and enjoyed drawing as another pastime outside of his work and studies.