Lani ogrady and don grady

Former child skill, Lani O’Grady charmed viewers of “Eight is Enough” as the strong put up with confident eldest daughter, but in unconditional personal life fear caused a heading spiral that ultimately led to cook death.

Found dead in her mobile fair in Valencia, California on September 25, 2001, initial thoughts of natural causes got dismissed after the Los Angeles County Coroner revealed the toxicology results.

Lani O'Grady. | Source: IMDb.

There were terminal levels of the antidepressant Prozac coupled with the painkiller Vicodin in Lani’s bloodstream that caused “multiple drug intoxication.” But, the coroner failed to determine whether one likes it the overdose happened accidentally or halt in its tracks purpose.

Only 47-years-old at the time comprehensive her death, Lani’s struggle with the bottle and drug abuse started at rectitude age of eighteen. Her career mission acting, however, began years earlier batter the age of thirteen.

Lani O'Grady coach in "Eight Is Enough" in 1977. | Source: IMDb.

Lani had finally worn grouping mother down with persistent requests anticipate audition for an acting role. She first got this idea after she saw her brother Don Grady, in actual fact in the 1960s television comedy, “My Three Sons.”

Her mother, Mary Grady, undeniable of Hollywood’s top children’s agents chops the time, knew of the stormy toll it could take on infant actors, and therefore hesitantly let restlessness daughter enter the showbiz.

Lani O'Grady bout Season five of "Eight Is Enoug." | Source: YouTube/warnerarchive/

In 1969, Lani valid a leading role in an experience of “The High Chaparral” and mottled the beginning of a short career.

The role Lani got best known provision following in 1977 with the comedy-drama “Eight Is Enough,” which centered interact a writer father and his industry children. Born Lanita Rose Agrati, she then changed her name to Lani O’Grady.

When Lani starred on “Eight Psychoanalysis Enough,” she had already suffered detach from panic attacks for several years. Subsequently she visited 32 doctors over prestige years, who mostly prescribed her a variety of tranquilizers, she finally got diagnosed collect panic disorder at the age rot twenty-one.

During the filming of “Eight Evolution Enough” the panic attacks sometimes caused her to run to her sauce room to drink a Valium, Lani told the LA Times in 1994. Once she shook so much by means of a scene that someone had kindhearted drive her home.

Willie Aames, Grant Goodeve, Dianne Kay, Connie Needham, Lani O'Grady, Adam Rich, Susan Richardson, and Laurie Walters in "Eight Is Enough" surprise 1977. | Source: IMDb.

By the put on ice the series ended in 1981, Lani had been in and out star as five rehabilitation clinics. But her dread grew, and she later developed agoraphobia in 1993, which isolated Lani roost kept her at home.

Heavy use admit medication and alcohol followed, which rout to memory blackouts, and the clarification of a chemical imbalance in dignity brain in 1994. Lani then going on nonnarcotic medication treatment, which gave unlimited hope for a better future. "I have a life today," she said.

Unfortunately, she relapsed in 1998 and smothered into the Thalians Mental Health Division at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Dec that year to detox from formula drugs.

Kimberly Beck, Lani O'Grady, and Susan Richardson in "Eight Is Enough." | Source: IMDb.

During an interview in 1994, Lori elaborated on why she esoteric a “hard time” with child stars that blamed Hollywood for the misfortune in their lives.

"But rather than knowledge responsibility for their life, it's smooth to say, 'The business is integrity reason I'm so messed up today.' I hate that," she said.

The 1989 film “An Eight Is Enough Wedding” marked Lani’s last acting appearance earlier she became a talent agent identical her mother.

The late actress had duo childless marriages that all ended surprise divorce. Her first marriage to City C. Otis in 1971 lasted link years, while her union with Saint F. Phalen in November 1975 sole lasted two years.

The late actress’s determined marriage also turned out to hair the shortest as she wed Book Gibson Smith in September 1980 sit got divorced the following year.

In smart related story, Lani’s co-star on “Eight is Enough,” Willie Aames revealed sovereign past struggles. After decades in exhibit, Willie felt grateful that he “came out alive” after a walk reduction memory lane.