Once a beloved teen heartthrob, this actor became a household name through his roles in popular television shows like Eight Is Enough and Charles in Charge. His career was poised for greatness from an early age. At just nine years old, he made his first appearance in a commercial, and by the time he was nineteen, he was earning a million dollars annually. Reflecting on his early success in his co-authored book Grace Is Enough, he noted, “I did my first commercial at the age of nine, and by nineteen, I was making a million dollars a year — and doing a killer job of going through most of it.”
A Family Built and Lost
During his time on Eight Is Enough, the actor’s personal life seemed to be flourishing. In 1979, he married Victoria Averbach, and by 1981, they celebrated the birth of their son, Christopher Aames. However, the picture-perfect life he had built began to unravel in 1984 when his marriage came to an end. At the peak of his fame, he was earning over a million dollars a year, but despite his success, everything would soon collapse.
He recalled the shocking downfall: “Then suddenly there was no job, no bank account, no wife, no child. I never dreamt it could happen that fast.” With his life in turmoil, he found himself without a home, spending nights at friends’ houses, parking garages, or even in the park. The humiliating experience left him questioning his reality: “Is this how it turns out? Is this really my life?”
Struggles with Addiction and Despair
The emotional and financial collapse was compounded by addiction to drugs and alcohol. In an interview with Studio 10, he reflected on the role his poor choices played in his downfall: “The fact is, I made my own poor choices and knew better, in most cases. And I paid the price for it.” During this period, reports indicated that he hit a breaking point, even entertaining thoughts of self-harm. He later admitted, “I gave people a lot of cause for concern, and I am thankful they acted on those concerns. Beyond that, that time period is a blur.”
Despite losing everything, including his career and family, he had no one to step in and offer help. With nowhere to turn, he was forced to rebuild his life on his own. “I lost everything at one point. I went from eating at the White House to sleeping in the bushes,” he shared. But he did not allow himself to remain a victim of circumstance.
A Determined Comeback
At 47, he found himself at a crossroads. With only ten dollars to his name and a determination to start over, he reflected, “I had a choice. I could either start over at 47 or choose to be a victim.” He decided to fight for a fresh start. Initially, he worked as a satellite installer and eventually found his way onto a cruise ship, where he rose from a pingpong boy to the position of cruise director. Through hard work and perseverance, he began to rebuild his life, one small step at a time.
Personal Struggles and Rebuilding a Family
Amidst his career comeback, he experienced personal challenges as well. In 1986, he remarried actress Maylo McCaslin, and together, they had a daughter, Harleigh Aames. However, their marriage ended in 2009. Despite these struggles, their daughter, Harleigh, followed in her parents’ footsteps and pursued acting. Financial difficulties continued to plague him, and by the 2000s, he faced bankruptcy and foreclosure. With only ten dollars to his name, he was forced to return to his Kansas City home, where he squatted and placed ads on Craigslist in search of work. Yet even in the face of overwhelming adversity, he remained resolute in his desire to start anew.
This remarkable journey highlights the complexity of his rise and fall, but more importantly, it showcases the resilience and determination that helped him overcome nearly insurmountable odds.
