The death of child actor Adam Rich, famous for his role in the family show “Eight Is Enough,” has been ruled an accident by the Los Angeles County medical examiner and coroner’s office. Rich passed away in his Los Angeles home at the age of 54, with the effects of fentanyl considered as the cause of death, according to the autopsy report.
Rich rose to fame at just eight years old, playing the mop-topped son on ABC’s “Eight Is Enough.” Unfortunately, a limited acting career followed the show’s initial run from 1977 to 1981. In the months before his death, Rich had been publicly discussing his battles with depression and substance abuse. He took to twitter, urging his followers to never give up and revealed he had been sober for seven years after multiple arrests, rehab stints, and overdoses.
Throughout his struggles with addiction, Rich faced several arrests, including one in April 1991 for attempting to break into a pharmacy. Another arrest came in October of that same year after allegedly stealing a drug-filled syringe during treatment for a dislocated shoulder. In 2002, he was arrested for DUI after striking a parked California Highway Patrol cruiser on a closed freeway lane.
Despite his challenges, Rich’s talent shone through in his role on “Eight Is Enough,” and his loss is felt by fans around the world.
