You probably remember the smile. In the late 1970s, Susan Richardson was the quintessential "girl next door" on one of the biggest hits on television. Playing Susan Bradford on Eight Is Enough, she was part of a cultural phenomenon that defined the era's family-hour programming. But if you look for her name on a marquee today, you won’t find it.
Honestly, the trajectory of Susan Richardson movies and TV shows is one of the more bittersweet stories in Hollywood history. It’s a path that started with a lucky break from a legendary director and ended in a life that looks nothing like the glitz of a Burbank soundstage.
The George Lucas Connection and Early Breaks
Most people think Richardson just appeared out of thin air when Eight Is Enough premiered in 1977. That’s not actually the case. Her career kicked off because a then-unknown director named George Lucas saw something in her. He cast her as Judy in the 1973 classic American Graffiti. It was a small role, sure, but it put her in the same orbit as Ron Howard and Richard Dreyfuss.
That connection was huge. It led to a guest spot on Happy Days and eventually a role in the 1976 film A Star Is Born starring Barbra Streisand. She was building momentum. She had that natural, unforced energy that casting directors in the 70s craved. Basically, she was the "everygirl."
The Eight Is Enough Era
Then came the Bradford family. From 1977 to 1981, Richardson was a household name. As the fourth-oldest child, her character Susan was often the emotional bridge between the older kids and the younger ones.
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The show was massive. We're talking 20 million viewers a week. During this peak, she wasn't just acting; she was a personality. You saw her on:
- Battle of the Network Stars (where she actually competed in those ridiculous sporting events)
- The Love Boat (the mandatory rite of passage for any 70s star)
- Fantasy Island
- CHiPs
It felt like she was everywhere. But behind the scenes, things weren't as perfect as the Bradford household made it seem. Richardson has spoken in later years about the pressure of the "overnight" fame. She struggled with her weight, she struggled with the sudden spotlight, and she even developed an addiction to pain medication following the birth of her daughter, Sarah, in 1980.
What Happened After the Show Ended?
When Eight Is Enough was canceled in 1981, the phone stopped ringing as often. It’s a classic Hollywood trap. She did a few more things—guest spots on One Day at a Time and two reunion movies in the late 80s (Eight Is Enough: A Family Reunion and An Eight Is Enough Wedding)—but the leading roles never materialized.
By the 1990s, she was essentially retired from acting. And this is where the story gets really tough to hear.
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The Battle with Achalasia and Poverty
If you search for Susan Richardson today, you won't find news about a comeback. Instead, you'll find reports of a woman struggling with a devastating physical condition. Richardson suffers from achalasia, a rare digestive disorder that paralyzes the esophagus. It’s the same condition that tragically took the lives of her mother, father, and sister.
The disease has ravaged her body. In interviews from the last decade, she’s shared that she has suffered multiple strokes and has reached a point where she can rarely eat solid food. For a long time, she was receiving nutrition through a feeding tube.
The financial toll was just as heavy. By 2013, news broke that she was living in a rotting trailer in Pennsylvania. She told Inside Edition and other outlets that she was living on a very small disability check and, at times, had even resorted to scavenging for food. It is a stark, heartbreaking contrast to the girl who once graced the covers of teen magazines.
Notable Susan Richardson Credits
| Year | Title | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | American Graffiti | Movie |
| 1976 | A Star Is Born | Movie |
| 1977–1981 | Eight Is Enough | TV Series |
| 1987 | Eight Is Enough: A Family Reunion | TV Movie |
| 1989 | An Eight Is Enough Wedding | TV Movie |
Where She Is in 2026
As of early 2026, Susan Richardson remains retired and lives a very quiet, private life. She isn't on social media. She doesn't have a computer or a TV in her home. She has spent her later years writing and illustrating children’s books, finding a creative outlet that doesn't require the physical demands of a film set.
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There's a lesson here about the fragility of fame, but also about the resilience of the human spirit. Despite the health battles and the poverty, Richardson has often expressed a sense of gratitude for the life she did have. She doesn't seem bitter about Hollywood; she just seems to have moved into a completely different chapter.
If you want to revisit her work, the best way to support her legacy is to watch the original Eight Is Enough episodes, which still surface on cable networks and streaming platforms. Seeing her in her prime reminds us why we fell in love with the Bradfords in the first place—and why her story still matters to those of us who grew up with her.
For fans looking to dive deeper into 70s TV history, consider looking into the memoirs of her co-stars, like Willie Aames, who has also spoken openly about the "curse" that seemed to follow the cast members of that iconic show. It provides a much-needed context to the era that Susan Richardson helped define.