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The Douglas Family: Where Are The Surviving ‘My Three Sons’ Cast Members Now In 2025?

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The classic family sitcom *My Three Sons* remains a beloved staple of television history, running for an impressive 12 seasons from 1960 to 1972. Centered on the widowed aeronautical engineer Steve Douglas and his three boys, the show masterfully chronicled the joys and challenges of American family life, transitioning smoothly from black-and-white to color and even changing networks. As of December 2025, fans are often curious about the actors who brought the Douglas family—and their various housekeepers—to life, especially the surviving members who continue to honor the show's enduring legacy. This deep-dive article provides the most current information on the actors who played the three sons and their wives, offering a fresh look at their lives and careers decades after the final episode aired. We explore the profiles of the core cast, from the iconic father to the youngest adopted son, and reveal what the surviving stars are doing today in 2025, ensuring a comprehensive and up-to-date retrospective for the dedicated fan.

The Douglas Family: Main Cast Profiles and Biographies

The core cast of *My Three Sons* underwent significant changes throughout its long run, with two of the original "sons" departing and being replaced, along with a housekeeper swap that became a major part of the show’s mythology.
  • Fred MacMurray (Steve Douglas)
    • Role: Steve Douglas, the widowed father and aeronautical engineer.
    • Born: August 30, 1908, in Kankakee, Illinois.
    • Career Highlights: A major film star before television, known for *Double Indemnity*, *The Apartment*, and numerous Disney films.
    • Legacy: MacMurray was the only actor to appear in every one of the show's 380 episodes, often utilizing a unique contract that limited his on-set work to a few weeks a year.
    • Passed Away: November 5, 1991, at age 83.
  • Tim Considine (Mike Douglas)
    • Role: Mike Douglas, the oldest son, who marries Sally and leaves the show in 1965.
    • Born: December 31, 1940, in Los Angeles, California.
    • Career Highlights: Also famous for his role as Spin on Disney's *The Adventures of Spin and Marty*. After *My Three Sons*, he became a successful automotive historian, writer, and photographer.
    • Passed Away: March 3, 2022, at age 81.
  • Don Grady (Robbie Douglas)
    • Role: Robbie Douglas, the middle son, who marries Katie and remains a central character until the end.
    • Born: June 8, 1944, in San Diego, California.
    • Career Highlights: An original Mouseketeer on *The Mickey Mouse Club*. Post-*My Three Sons*, he became a prolific composer and musician, scoring films and TV shows.
    • Passed Away: June 27, 2012, at age 68, following a battle with myeloma.
  • Stanley Livingston (Richard 'Chip' Douglas)
    • Role: Chip Douglas, the youngest original son.
    • Born: November 24, 1950, in Los Angeles, California.
    • Current Status: Still active in the entertainment industry (see below).
  • Barry Livingston (Ernie Thompson-Douglas)
    • Role: Ernie Thompson, the neighborhood friend adopted by the Douglas family to restore the "three sons" dynamic.
    • Born: December 17, 1953, in Los Angeles, California.
    • Current Status: Still highly active in Hollywood (see below).
  • Tina Cole (Katie Miller-Douglas)
    • Role: Katie Miller, Robbie’s wife, who later gives birth to triplets.
    • Born: August 4, 1943, in Hollywood, California.
    • Current Status: Continues to work in arts education and theater (see below).
  • William Frawley (William "Bub" O'Casey)
    • Role: The boys' maternal grandfather and the first live-in housekeeper (Seasons 1–5).
    • Career Highlights: Famous for his iconic role as Fred Mertz on *I Love Lucy*.
    • Passed Away: March 3, 1966, at age 79.
  • William Demarest (Uncle Charley O'Casey)
    • Role: Bub's brother and the second live-in housekeeper (Seasons 6–12).
    • Career Highlights: A veteran character actor with a long career in film before joining the show.
    • Passed Away: December 28, 1983, at age 91.

Where Are The Surviving Douglas Family Members Now in 2025?

The long-running nature of the series meant that several key actors grew up on screen. Today, the three most prominent surviving members—Stanley Livingston, Barry Livingston, and Tina Cole—remain connected to the show’s legacy and continue to pursue active careers in the arts and entertainment world.

Stanley Livingston (Chip Douglas)

Stanley Livingston, who played Richard "Chip" Douglas, the youngest original son, has maintained a career in the entertainment industry both in front of and behind the camera. After the series concluded, he transitioned into directing and producing. He has also dedicated time to chronicling the show's history, often appearing at fan conventions and events related to classic television. Livingston continues to be an active presence, often reuniting with his on-screen and real-life brother, Barry. His work today often involves celebrating the golden age of television and sharing personal stories from his time as a child star.

Barry Livingston (Ernie Thompson-Douglas)

The actor who played the adopted son, Ernie Douglas, Barry Livingston, has arguably had the most prolific and continuous acting career post-*My Three Sons*. He has successfully shed his child-star image, securing numerous roles in major films and television series well into 2025.

His credits include memorable appearances in critically acclaimed projects, demonstrating his versatility as a character actor. Fans may recognize him from roles in modern classics like *Mad Men*, the David Fincher film *Zodiac*, and the popular sci-fi series *The Orville*. In a recent interview in October 2025, Livingston reflected on his experience growing up on the set, emphasizing the challenges and triumphs of surviving Hollywood child stardom. His ongoing work ensures the Livingston name remains relevant in contemporary Hollywood.

Tina Cole (Katie Miller-Douglas)

Tina Cole, who joined the cast as Robbie's wife, Katie Miller-Douglas, has channeled her passion for performance into arts education and regional theater. After her time on the sitcom, Cole pursued her interests as a singer and actress, but her focus shifted significantly.

Cole became the director of the Sacramento Children's Theatre, dedicating her efforts to nurturing the next generation of performers. She also worked as an acting coach at the John Robert Powers acting schools. Though she stepped away from major television roles, she has remained active in the arts community and has participated in cast reunions, keeping the spirit of the Douglas family alive for fans.

The Enduring Legacy of *My Three Sons* and Key Topical Entities

The longevity of *My Three Sons*—a remarkable 12-season run—is a testament to its universal appeal and its ability to adapt to changing times. It was one of the first sitcoms to successfully transition from black-and-white to color in 1965, coinciding with the shift in the Douglas family dynamics.

The Housekeepers: Bub to Uncle Charley

A significant entity in the show's history is the transition of the live-in housekeeper. The original caretaker was the boys' maternal grandfather, "Bub" O'Casey, played by the beloved William Frawley. When Frawley's declining health forced him to leave the show in 1965, he was replaced by his fictional brother, Uncle Charley O'Casey, played by veteran actor William Demarest. This smooth transition was critical to the show's survival and allowed the Douglas household to maintain its unique family structure.

The Changing Sons and Family Expansion

The show’s premise required "three sons," leading to the key plot points that kept the series fresh. When Tim Considine (Mike Douglas) chose to leave the show in 1965 after his character married, the writers introduced Ernie Thompson, a neighborhood friend who was eventually adopted, ensuring the title remained accurate. Later, the marriage of Don Grady’s Robbie Douglas to Tina Cole's Katie Miller, and the birth of their triplets, further expanded the Douglas family, adding new layers to the show's narrative and topical authority.

The legacy of My Three Sons is not just in its humor, but in its pioneering depiction of a single-parent household and its evolving portrayal of family life over a decade. The fact that the Livingston brothers, Stanley and Barry, continue to work and share their memories in 2025 is a wonderful continuation of the show's enduring warmth and influence on television history.

The Douglas Family: Where Are The Surviving ‘My Three Sons’ Cast Members Now in 2025?
cast of my three sons
cast of my three sons

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