16 Rare ‘The Partridge Family’ Behind-the-Scenes Photos of David Cassidy, Susan Dey and More
Step back into the 1970s with these candid photos from the set of 'The Partridge Family'
The premise for The Partridge Family was a sitcom with a unique twist: a widowed mother and her five children form a band, record music that climbs the charts and crisscross the country in a technicolor school bus performing concerts. The result was nothing short of a 1970s pop culture phenomenon.
At the heart of it all was Shirley Jones—a real-life musical theater legend and Oscar winner—who grounded the show with her warmth and grace as matriarch Shirley Partridge. And then there was her real-life stepson, David Cassidy, as Keith Partridge, whose meteoric rise from sitcom actor to teen idol was so fast that it even caught him off guard. Whether you were taping his poster to your bedroom wall or spinning “I Think I Love You” on your record player, Cassidy was everywhere. The rest of the cast—Susan Dey, Danny Bonaduce, Suzanne Crough, Jeremy Gelbwaks (and later Brian Forster) and Dave Madden—rounded out the ensemble and connected with viewers as well.
The following behind-the-scenes photos from The Partridge Family takes you beyond the soundstage, offering a rare peek at the in-between moments: David and Susan chatting quietly on the stairs, Shirley glowing in yellow behind her director’s chair, the kids joking around with an oversized Cassidy poster and even Henry Kissinger’s children dropping by for a visit. These snapshots capture the real magic of the show—not just scripted laughs or chart-topping tunes, but what life on The Partridge Family set was really like.
1. Danny Bonaduce enjoys the trailer life
A young Danny Bonaduce flashes a big smile outside his trailer on the set of The Partridge Family. The custom sign — complete with a mother partridge and her chicks — cleverly nods to the show’s title and family dynamic. Bonaduce played wisecracking middle son Danny Partridge on the hit sitcom, which ran from 1970 to 1974 and made him a teen star virtually overnight.
2. A candid moment with the cast
The cast of The Partridge Family shares a lighthearted moment between takes on set. Shirley Jones beams at the center while her on-screen children — including Susan Dey, Suzanne Crough, Brian Forster, and Danny Bonaduce — relax in their signature colorful outfits. At far right, Dave Madden as band manager Reuben Kincaid humorously shields Bonaduce’s eyes, prompting laughter from the young actor.
3. Brothers on screen and brotherly off
David Cassidy and Danny Bonaduce share a focused conversation between takes on the set of The Partridge Family. The duo had an undeniable chemistry that translated on-screen and off. The two actors—separated by age but connected by fame—navigated the whirlwind of 1970s stardom while delivering laughs and music to millions of fans.
4. Reserved seats for TV royalty
A cluster of personalized director’s chairs reserved for the cast and crew of The Partridge Family. From Shirley Jones and David Cassidy to Susan Dey, Suzanne Crough, and Dave Madden, each chair bears the signature partridge-and-chicks logo, a subtle nod to the show’s branding. It’s a snapshot of television history in progress—where rehearsals, rewrites and real-life camaraderie played out just off camera.
5. Teen idols on and off screen: David Cassidy and Susan Dey
David Cassidy and Susan Dey flash youthful charm during a public appearance in the early 1970s, embodying the pop culture phenomenon that was The Partridge Family. As Keith and Laurie Partridge, they played musically gifted siblings in the beloved sitcom—but off-screen, their chemistry captured the imagination of teen magazines and fans alike. Though never romantically involved during the show’s run, Cassidy later revealed that Dey had a crush on him, adding a bittersweet footnote to their on-screen dynamic.
6. All aboard the Partridge bus!
It’s all smiles as the cast of The Partridge Family strikes an iconic pose with their beloved multi-colored tour bus. David Cassidy, Danny Bonaduce, Susan Dey, Suzanne Crough, and Jeremy Gelbwaks lean out the windows, while Shirley Jones—the show’s matriarch both on and off screen—stands proudly at the door.
7. To Keith with love: David Cassidy surrounded by fan Valentines
At the peak of his teen idol fame, David Cassidy—known to millions as Keith Partridge—takes a moment in February 1973 to pose with handmade valentines sent by adoring fans. Photographed in Los Angeles, Cassidy is surrounded by heartfelt notes, glittery hearts and creative declarations of love, a reminder of the frenzy he inspired at the height of his popularity.
8. Shirley Jones and Dave Madden share a laugh
Shirley Jones and Dave Madden enjoy a relaxed moment between takes on the set of The Partridge Family, with the show’s iconic multi-colored bus just behind them. Jones, ever elegant in a bright yellow coat, and Madden, puffing on a cigarette and wearing his trademark sly grin, played off each other brilliantly as Shirley Partridge and the band’s neurotic manager, Reuben Kincaid.
9. Shirley Jones, radiant in yellow
Shirley Jones exudes effortless style and warmth as she relaxes on set in a pastel director’s chair marked with the iconic Partridge Family logo. Dressed in coordinating shades of yellow, the Oscar-winning actress and TV mom sits just beside David Cassidy’s chair, reinforcing the real-life bond they shared beyond the screen.
10. David Cassidy in quiet reflection
Seated casually on a wooden porch, David Cassidy offers a soft smile in this relaxed portrait from the early 1970s. At the height of his Partridge Family fame, Cassidy was one of the most recognizable faces in the world—yet moments like this show the quieter, more thoughtful side of the teen idol. Dressed in a simple ribbed sweater and jeans, he’s a far cry from the glitz of the stage, captured here in a rare instant of stillness amid the frenzy of fame.
11. Have a very Partridge Christmas and a groovy New Year!
The cast of The Partridge Family gets into the holiday spirit in this colorful Christmas portrait. Shirley Jones, Susan Dey, David Cassidy, Danny Bonaduce, Suzanne Crough and Brian Forster gather around a fully decked-out tree, surrounded by wrapped presents and bright stockings. Shot as a promotional image, the photo captures the warmth, charm and family-friendly appeal that made the show a 1970s staple—and turned the Partridges into pop culture icons.
12. David Cassidy greets presidential company on set
David Cassidy shares a warm moment with Elizabeth and David Kissinger, children of presidential adviser Henry Kissinger, during their visit to the set of The Partridge Family at Columbia Ranch. The young guests received autographs and a firsthand look at one of the most popular shows of the era. Cassidy, dressed in full costume as Keith Partridge, remained gracious and engaged—a teen idol who knew how to charm fans from all walks of life, even those connected to the White House.
13. Cruising with the cast
The cast of The Partridge Family gathers around a classic convertible in this casual behind-the-scenes shot, capturing the tight-knit energy that made the show a pop culture favorite. From left to right: Suzanne Crough, Susan Dey, Danny Bonaduce, Dave Madden, David Cassidy, Shirley Jones and Brian Forster strike a relaxed but unified pose—a rare moment of downtime for a group constantly in motion, both on screen and in real life.
14. Stairway conversation
Susan Dey and David Cassidy share a thoughtful moment between scenes on the Partridge Family set, seated on the show’s shag-carpeted staircase. As Laurie and Keith Partridge, their sibling rapport often mirrored the actors’ real-life connection—filled with humor, heart and occasional depth. Dey had a crush on him through much of production.
15. Danny Bonaduce presents another view of Keith Partridge
Danny Bonaduce takes center stage — pointer in hand — as he leads a cheeky “lesson” featuring a giant poster of David Cassidy as Keith Partridge. Joining him in this humorous setup are Susan Dey, Suzanne Crough and Brian Forster. Whether scripted or just for laughs between takes, the photo perfectly captures the playful dynamic among the younger cast members and the pop idol status that Cassidy held—even within his fictional family.
16. David Cassidy in a quiet musical moment
David Cassidy gazes off thoughtfully while strumming his guitar in this serene outdoor shot, captured during the height of his Partridge Family fame. As Keith Partridge, he sang lead vocals on many of the group’s hits—but Cassidy was more than just a TV heartthrob; he was a genuine musician with a deep love for performing. This image captures that duality: the teen idol millions swooned over and the artist chasing something real beneath the spotlight.
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