‘The Partridge Family’ Cast Members We’ve Lost, From David Cassidy to Beloved Guest Stars
The unforgettable faces from ‘The Partridge Family’ who live on in fans’ hearts
When The Partridge Family first hit TV screens in 1970, it brought together pop music, family comedy and a technicolor sense of optimism that perfectly captured the early ’70s. With Shirley Jones as the widowed mom leading a band made up of her kids, and David Cassidy instantly rocketing to teen idol status as her onscreen son Keith, the show was an instant hit. It featured a mix of catchy tunes, sibling squabbles, wide-collared fashion and the kind of weekly comfort TV that made audiences feel right at home. And while much of that joy lives on in reruns, time has inevitably claimed some of the beloved faces behind the music.
David Cassidy, the show’s breakout star, lived a life that mirrored many of the highs and lows of fame. As Keith Partridge, he was charming, exasperated, romantic and musically gifted—a role that blurred into his real-life persona as he became a best-selling recording artist and global heartthrob. Cassidy passed away in 2017, his final years marked by illness and personal struggles, but he remains indelible in the minds of fans as the face (and voice) of a generation.
Equally unforgettable was Dave Madden as band manager Reuben Kincaid, who was eternally stressed-out and engaged in constant sparring matches with Danny Partridge, which made for some of the show’s funniest moments. His real-life affection for the young cast, particularly Suzanne Crough, added depth to his offscreen legacy. Suzanne, who played the youngest Partridge, Tracy, lived a quiet life after the series ended. Her sudden death in 2015 shocked fans who remembered her as the shy girl with the tambourine and pigtails.
The series also welcomed a parade of memorable guest stars—many of whom are no longer with us. Richard Pryor appeared early in his career in a socially-minded episode set in a soul club. And legendary figures like Ray Bolger, Rosemary DeCamp and Harry Morgan each left their mark in small but unforgettable roles.
Together, these performers helped turn The Partridge Family into a kind of time capsule, a jukebox and a family album all in one. And while we can take solace in the fact that cast members Susan Dey, Danny Bonaduce and Jeremy Gelbwaks and Brian Foster (who played the character of Chris Partridge at different times) are still with us, what follows is a tribute to the actors who have passed and yet live on through their performances.
David Cassidy (Keith Partridge)
Background: David Cassidy was born on April 12, 1950, in New York City to Broadway actor Jack Cassidy and actress Evelyn Ward. After his parents divorced, his father married singer and actress Shirley Jones, who would later portray David’s on-screen mother on The Partridge Family. Though David had modest early success on stage and in TV guest spots, it was The Partridge Family that transformed him into a global teen idol, making him one of the most popular performers of the early 1970s.
Character: Cassidy played Keith Partridge, the family band’s lead singer and rhythm guitarist. With a pop star persona and teenage swagger, Keith often found himself balancing adolescent insecurities with sudden fame. Cassidy performed his own vocals on the show’s hit songs, including “I Think I Love You,” which topped the Billboard charts in 1970.
After The Partridge Family: Following the show’s end in 1974, Cassidy launched a solo music career, scoring additional hits and embarking on international tours. He tried to shed his teen idol image by taking more serious acting roles, including David Cassidy – Man Undercover and various stage productions. In the 1990s and 2000s, he embraced nostalgia, performing in Las Vegas, releasing memoirs and reconnecting with fans through reunion shows and interviews.
Personal: Cassidy was married three times and had two children: Beau Cassidy and actress Katie Cassidy (from a relationship with model Sherry Williams). His later years were marked by financial difficulties, health issues and a public battle with alcoholism. He also revealed he had been diagnosed with dementia shortly before his death.
Death: David Cassidy died on November 21, 2017, at age 67, due to liver failure brought on by years of alcohol abuse. His death marked the loss of one of the era’s most enduring pop culture figures.
Suzanne Crough (Tracy Partridge)
Background: Suzanne Crough was born on March 6, 1963, in Fullerton, California. At the age of seven, she was cast as Tracy Partridge, the youngest member of the family band, known for her wide-eyed innocence and signature tambourine.
Character: Tracy Partridge was the quiet little sister, often seen tapping her tambourine or reacting adorably to her siblings’ antics. While she had fewer lines than the older children, her presence was an important part of the family dynamic.
After The Partridge Family: Crough left acting not long after the series ended. She appeared briefly in a few TV projects, including the short-lived Mulligan’s Stew, before stepping away from Hollywood completely. She later earned a degree from Pierce College and worked in retail management.
Personal: Suzanne married William Condray in 1985, and the couple had two daughters. By all accounts, she lived a quiet and happy life focused on family, far removed from the limelight she experienced as a child.
Death: Suzanne Crough died unexpectedly on April 27, 2015, at age 52, from a rare form of cardiomyopathy. Her passing was deeply mourned by fans and former castmates alike.
Dave Madden (Reuben Kincaid)
Background: Dave Madden was born on December 17, 1931, in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, and raised in Indiana. He began his entertainment career as a stand-up comedian and gained national exposure after appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show. Before The Partridge Family, he was best known as a regular on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.
Character: Madden played Reuben Kincaid, the family’s high-strung but loyal manager. Constantly exasperated by Danny Partridge’s schemes and the chaos of managing a musical family, Reuben became one of the series’ comedic highlights. Madden’s chemistry with Danny Bonaduce was particularly well-loved.
After The Partridge Family: Madden went on to a regular role as Earl the handyman on Alice and made guest appearances on shows like Happy Days and The Love Boat. He also did voiceover work and appeared in commercials. In 2007, he released his memoir Reuben on Wry, offering fans an inside look at his time on the show.
Personal: Madden married Nena Arnold in 1998 and had two stepchildren from that marriage. He was previously married to Sandra Madden. In later years, he retired to Florida and led a quieter life, keeping in touch with fans through correspondence and occasional interviews.
Death: Dave Madden passed away on January 16, 2014, at age 82 due to complications from kidney and heart failure.
Prominent guest stars
Ray Bolger (Grandpa Renfrew)
Background: Ray Bolger was born on January 10, 1904, in Dorchester, Massachusetts. A gifted vaudevillian, dancer and actor, he became one of MGM’s top musical stars in the 1930s and 1940s. He is best remembered for playing the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz (1939), a role that defined his career and endeared him to generations.
Character: Bolger appeared in three episodes of The Partridge Family, as Grandpa Renfrew (initially Fred, later Walter), Shirley’s father. He was featured in the episodes “Whatever Happened to the Old Songs?,” “The Forty-Year Itch” and “The Mod Father.” His character—often suspicious of youth and modern trends—provided a bridge between classic showbiz traditions and the Partridge family’s free-spirited musical lifestyle
After The Partridge Family: During the 1970s, Bolger continued making guest appearances on television and remained active in live performances. He also appeared in series like Little House on the Prairie, Fantasy Island and The Love Boat, and even did commercial work, including a memorable jingle for Safeway.
Personal: Ray Bolger was married to Gwen Rickard from 1929 until his death. They had no children but remained devoted partners throughout his long career.
Death: He died on January 15, 1987, at the age of 83 from bladder cancer. His contribution to entertainment spanned decades, and his appearance on The Partridge Family was a charming late-career tribute to his showbiz legacy.
Rosemary DeCamp (Shirley Partridge’s Mother)
Background: Rosemary DeCamp was born on November 14, 1910, in Prescott, Arizona. With a career that began in radio and blossomed in Hollywood, she became one of the most recognizable maternal figures in film and television. She appeared in classics such as Yankee Doodle Dandy and played motherly roles in series like The Life of Riley and That Girl.
Character: DeCamp portrayed Amanda Renfrew—Shirley Partridge’s warm, level-headed mother—in four episodes (“Whatever Happened to the Old Songs?,”“The Forty-Year Itch,” “The Mod Father” and “Maid in San Pueblo”), offering both emotional grounding and gentle comedic relief.
After The Partridge Family: She continued acting into the 1980s, with guest spots on shows like Murder, She Wrote and St. Elsewhere. DeCamp also wrote a memoir, Tigers in My Lap, and was active in civic and charity work throughout her life.
Personal: She married John Ashton Shidler in 1941—a union lasting until his death in 1998—and together they had four daughters (Margaret, Martha, Valerie, and Nita). She was widely respected for her elegant grace and devotion to both family and colleagues
Death: Rosemary DeCamp passed away on February 20, 2001, at the age of 90 due to pneumonia.
Richard Pryor (Sam – “Soul Club”)
Background: Born December 1, 1940, in Peoria, Illinois, Richard Pryor became one of the most influential American comedians and actors of his generation. Known for his raw honesty, sharp wit and incisive commentary on race, society and personal struggle, Pryor transitioned in the early 1970s from clean-cut stand-up to the outspoken voice that would revolutionize comedy.
Character: Pryor appeared in the episode “Soul Club” as Sam, a co-owner of a struggling nightclub that the Partridges help rescue with a musical performance. Though played for laughs, the episode stands out for its early depiction of Black business ownership and Pryor’s natural comic charisma.
After The Partridge Family: Pryor exploded into superstardom shortly thereafter, with acclaimed stand-up specials, hit films like Silver Streak and Stir Crazy and a reputation as one of the greatest comedians of all time. He won five Grammy Awards and influenced generations of performers.
Personal: Pryor married seven times to five women and had seven children. His personal life was tumultuous, marked by drug addiction, a well-publicized incident of self-immolation and a long battle with multiple sclerosis, which he publicly addressed with courage and wit.
Death: He died on December 10, 2005, at age 65 due to a heart attack.
Harry Morgan
Background: Harry Morgan was born Harry Bratsberg on April 10, 1915, in Detroit, Michigan. A versatile character actor, he rose to prominence in iconic roles such as Officer Bill Gannon on Dragnet (1967–70) and Colonel Sherman T. Potter on MASH (1975–83). His career spanned over six decades across film, stage, and television, earning castmates and audiences respect for his warm presence
Character: Morgan appeared twice on The Partridge Family. In the Season 1 episode “The Sound of Money” (aired Oct 2, 1970), he played Whiplash Willie Larkin, a disgruntled motorist who threatens legal action over a minor fender-bender—infusing the show with a dose of Thanksgiving-flavored comic energy. He returned in Season 2’s “All’s War in Love and Fairs” (aired Mar 10, 1972), portraying Cal Courtney, a pragmatic father whose family persuades the Partridges to perform at a fair—a role showcasing Morgan’s signature gruff-yet-lovable charm.
After The Partridge Family: A few years later, Morgan joined MASH in 1975, becoming a central character until the series finale in 1983. He received an Emmy for his work and continued acting on screen through the 1990s, including the spin-off AfterMASH and guest roles on 3rd Rock from the Sun.
Personal: He married Eileen Detchon in 1940, with their marriage lasting until her death in 1985. The couple had four sons: Christopher, Charles, Paul, and Daniel. In 1986, he married Barbara Bushman Quine. Known for his integrity, Morgan was regarded by colleagues as kind, dedicated and devoted to his family.
Death: Harry Morgan passed away on December 7, 2011, at age 96 from pneumonia.
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