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The Partridge Family Cast Now: 7 Stars’ Shocking Health Battles, Secret Lives, And Legacies In 2025

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Decades after the iconic musical family bus, "The Partridge Family," drove off the air, the lives of its stars continue to fascinate fans across the globe. As of late December 2025, the surviving cast members—Shirley Jones, Susan Dey, Danny Bonaduce, and Brian Forster—lead vastly different lives, ranging from quiet retirement to public health battles, while the legacies of those who have passed remain vibrant in pop culture history. This deep dive uncovers the most recent and compelling updates on the beloved actors, focusing on the fresh details of their lives today.

The show, which ran from 1970 to 1974, cemented its place as a cultural phenomenon, spawning hit songs like "I Think I Love You" and turning its young stars into instant teen idols. The journey for the cast since the show's end has been a mix of Hollywood success, personal struggles, and a determined effort to live life outside the shadow of their famous, brightly-colored school bus.

The Partridge Family Cast: Complete Biography and Current Status (Late 2025)

The original cast of The Partridge Family included seven main actors, though the role of Chris Partridge was played by two different actors. Here is a detailed look at their biographies and their current status as of late 2025.

  • Shirley Jones (Shirley Partridge)
    • Born: March 31, 1934 (Age 91)
    • Role: Shirley Partridge (The Matriarch, Vocals)
    • Current Status: Alive. Celebrated her 91st birthday in March 2025. Continues to be a respected figure in Hollywood, known for her Oscar-winning role in Elmer Gantry and her earlier musical films like Oklahoma! and The Music Man.
  • David Cassidy (Keith Partridge)
    • Born: April 12, 1950
    • Role: Keith Partridge (The Eldest Son, Lead Guitar & Vocals)
    • Current Status: Deceased. Passed away on November 21, 2017, at age 67 from organ failure after a battle with dementia. His legacy as a 1970s teen idol is unparalleled.
  • Susan Dey (Laurie Partridge)
    • Born: December 10, 1952 (Age 72)
    • Role: Laurie Partridge (The Eldest Daughter, Keyboards & Vocals)
    • Current Status: Alive. Has been retired from acting since 2004 and is known for maintaining an extremely private life, rarely making public appearances.
  • Danny Bonaduce (Danny Partridge)
    • Born: August 13, 1959 (Age 66)
    • Role: Danny Partridge (The Middle Son, Bass Guitar)
    • Current Status: Alive. Currently a radio personality and actor. Recently underwent brain surgery to treat hydrocephalus, a major health event that has drawn public attention.
  • Suzanne Crough (Tracy Partridge)
    • Born: March 6, 1963
    • Role: Tracy Partridge (The Younger Daughter, Tambourine)
    • Current Status: Deceased. Passed away suddenly on April 27, 2015, at age 52. Her cause of death was determined to be arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD), a rare form of cardiomyopathy.
  • Brian Forster (Chris Partridge - Seasons 2-4)
    • Born: April 14, 1960 (Age 65)
    • Role: Chris Partridge (The Youngest Son, Drums)
    • Current Status: Alive. Retired from acting and became a professional race car driver, a career he pursued for many years. He maintains a low public profile.
  • Dave Madden (Reuben Kincaid)
    • Born: December 17, 1931
    • Role: Reuben Kincaid (The Band Manager)
    • Current Status: Deceased. Passed away on January 16, 2014, at age 82 from congestive heart and kidney failure.

Danny Bonaduce’s Latest Health Battle: The Shocking Diagnosis and Recovery in 2025

The most compelling and recent news surrounding the surviving cast centers on Danny Bonaduce, who played the wisecracking middle child, Danny Partridge. Following a series of neurological issues that began in 2022, including difficulty walking and slurred speech, Bonaduce was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, commonly known as "water on the brain."

This condition, which involves a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, required immediate and delicate surgical intervention. Bonaduce underwent brain surgery to have a shunt implanted, a procedure he publicly documented.

The actor and radio personality has since been candid about his recovery journey, providing fans with updates on his return to his radio show and his ongoing physical therapy. His public fight against this serious neurological disorder has brought significant global attention to hydrocephalus awareness in 2025.

Despite the seriousness of the illness, Bonaduce has maintained his characteristic humor, telling reporters, "I lived, bitch," after the successful surgery, a testament to his resilient personality.

The Enduring Legacies of Shirley Jones and Susan Dey

While Bonaduce’s life remains in the public eye, the two most prominent female stars of the show have chosen dramatically different paths, each defining their own version of a post-Partridge life.

Shirley Jones: A Hollywood Legend at 91

Shirley Jones, who played the iconic matriarch Shirley Partridge, celebrated her 90th birthday in March 2024 and is now 91 years old in late 2025, maintaining her status as one of Hollywood's most enduring stars.

Unlike her younger cast members, Jones was already an established, Oscar-winning actress before joining the show. Her career spans decades of musical theater, film, and television, making her a true Hollywood icon.

In recent years, Jones has focused on her family, including her sons Shaun, Patrick, and Ryan Cassidy, from her marriage to Jack Cassidy, and continues to be a vocal presence in celebrating her late son, David Cassidy's, life and career. Her personal life, including her candid memoir, has provided fans with a deeper understanding of the complexities behind her wholesome screen persona.

Susan Dey: The Power of Privacy After Stardom

Susan Dey, who played the intellectual and beautiful Laurie Partridge, is perhaps the most private former child star in Hollywood. After the show, Dey successfully transitioned into a serious dramatic actress, most notably starring as Grace Van Owen on the hit legal drama L.A. Law from 1986 to 1992.

However, since retiring from acting in 2004, Dey has completely stepped away from the spotlight. She has not participated in any major cast reunions, documentaries, or interviews, choosing instead a quiet life with her husband, television producer Bernard Sofronski.

Her decision to embrace a low-profile existence is a powerful statement in an era of constant celebrity exposure, reinforcing her commitment to a life far removed from the pressures of stardom. This intentional retreat only heightens the curiosity surrounding her current whereabouts in 2025.

The Tragic Early Endings: Cassidy, Crough, and Madden

The family portrait is incomplete without honoring the stars who have passed away, whose deaths mark significant milestones in the show's history.

David Cassidy’s Enduring Heartthrob Status

David Cassidy, the show's biggest breakout star and 70s teen idol, passed away in 2017. His death from organ failure, following a public battle with dementia, deeply affected fans worldwide.

Cassidy’s post-Partridge life was a turbulent journey of music, stage performances, and personal struggles, including financial and health issues. Despite the challenges, his music and image as Keith Partridge remain synonymous with 1970s pop culture, and his influence continues through his half-brother, Shaun Cassidy.

Suzanne Crough: A Private Life and Sudden Passing

Suzanne Crough, who played the youngest daughter, Tracy, known for her distinctive tambourine playing, passed away suddenly in 2015. After leaving Hollywood, Crough lived a largely private life, marrying William Condray and raising two daughters.

Her death at the age of 52 was a shock to the public and her former castmates. The official cause was arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD), a rare heart condition.

Brian Forster and The Legacy of Chris Partridge

Brian Forster, the second actor to play drummer Chris Partridge, found his passion outside of acting after the show concluded. Forster transitioned into a career as a professional race car driver, a field he pursued for years, moving away from the entertainment industry entirely.

Meanwhile, the original Chris Partridge, Jeremy Gelbwaks, only appeared in the first season before being replaced. Gelbwaks also left the industry, choosing a career in computer programming and business, and has similarly maintained a life out of the public eye. The two actors who played the same role symbolize the different ways child stars can successfully pivot to non-Hollywood careers, prioritizing a normal life over continued fame.

cast from the partridge family
cast from the partridge family

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