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Willie Aames

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Willie Aames
Willie Aames at the Chiller Theatre Expo in 2017
Born
Albert William Upton

(1960-07-15) July 15, 1960 (age 64)
Newport Beach, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actor, director, television producer, screenwriter
Years active1971–present
Spouse(s)
Vicki Weatherman
​
​
(m. 1979⁠–⁠1984)​

Maylo McCaslin
​
(m. 1986⁠–⁠2009)​

Winnie Hung
​
(m. 2014)​
Children2

Willie Aames (born Albert William Upton; July 15, 1960) is an American actor, film and television director, television producer, and screenwriter. He is best known for playing Tommy Bradford, one of the children of Tom Bradford (played by Dick Van Patten), on the 1970s television series Eight Is Enough, Buddy Lembeck on the 1980s sitcom Charles in Charge and the title character in the direct-to-video series, Bibleman (1995–2003).

Early life

Aames was born in Newport Beach, California, in 1960.[1] He attended Edison High School in Huntington Beach, California, and was in both the choir and the Madrigal Ensemble.

Career

Aames began acting in the late 1960s as a child, appearing in shows such as Gunsmoke, The Wonderful World of Disney, Adam-12, and The Courtship of Eddie's Father. In 1971, he originated the role of Leonard Unger, the son of Felix Unger (Tony Randall), on the ABC-TV series The Odd Couple, a part that was later played by Leif Garrett. The following year, he voiced the character of Jamie Boyle in the animated series Wait Till Your Father Gets Home.

He guest-starred on various television series, including The Waltons. In 1974, he portrayed a 12-year-old Benjamin Franklin in the miniseries Benjamin Franklin. The next year, he co-starred in the series Swiss Family Robinson.[2]

In 1977, he landed the role of Tommy Bradford in the comedy-drama Eight Is Enough. During this period, he played in a band called Willie Aames & Paradise, in which he was lead singer/guitarist. Formed while Aames was in junior high school, the group eventually landed a recording contract with CBS Custom Label.[3] During this time, Aames appeared in his first movie role, Scavenger Hunt. After the series ended in 1981, Aames appeared in more film roles, including Zapped! opposite Scott Baio and Paradise with Phoebe Cates.[4]

Before portraying the role of Buddy Lembeck in Charles in Charge in 1984, Aames played the character of Robbie Hamlin on the ABC soap opera The Edge of Night.[5] From 1983 to 1985, he was the voice of Hank on the cartoon Dungeons & Dragons. After the end of Charles in Charge in 1990, Aames hosted the game show The Krypton Factor.

Aames starred as Bibleman in the direct-to-video Christian superhero series from 1995 to 2003, before leaving to spend more time with his family. He was replaced by Robert T. Schlipp.[6]

Personal life

Aames has been married three times. Aames married Vicki Weatherman in 1979, having one child, Christopher.[7] He married Maylo McCaslin in 1986,[8] having one child, Harleigh Jean.[9] Aames is currently married to Winnie Hung.[10]

For some years, Aames had been fighting alcohol addiction.[11]

Filmography

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1971 The Odd Couple Leonard Episode: "Win One for Felix"
1971–1972 The Courtship of Eddie's Father Harold O'Brien 4 episodes
1971, 1973 Gunsmoke Tom / Andy 2 episodes
1971, 1974 Adam-12 Young Boy / Billy Ray 2 episodes
1971–1975 Medical Center Eric / Jeff 3 episodes
1972 Cannon Macklin Boy Episode: "A Flight of Hawks"
1972–1974 Wait Till Your Father Gets Home Jamie Boyle (voice) 38 episodes
1973 Adam's Rib Boy Episode: "Katey at the Bat"
1974 Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin (at 12 years old) Miniseries; episode: "The Whirlwind"
1974 The Wonderful World of Disney Jeff Peterson Episode: "Runaway on the Rogue River"
1975 The Waltons Danny Comley Episode: "The Beguiled"
1975 We'll Get By Kenny Platt 12 episodes
1975–1976 The Swiss Family Robinson Fred Robinson 20 episodes
1976 Rich Man, Poor Man Book II Young Wesley Jordache Miniseries; episode: "Chapter I"
1976–1977 Family T.J. Latimer 6 episodes
1977 Little House on the Prairie Seth Episode: "Injun Kid"
1977–1981 Eight Is Enough Tommy Bradford 111 episodes
1982 The Love Boat Danny Episode: "Doc's Nephew"
1983 The Edge of Night Robbie Hamlin Unknown episodes
1983–1985 Dungeons & Dragons Hank the Ranger (voice) Main role
1984–1990 Charles in Charge Buddy Lembeck 126 episodes
1986 Blacke's Magic Eric Wilson Episode: "The Revenge of the Esperanza"
1987 Eight Is Enough: A Family Reunion Tommy Bradford TV movie
1989 An Eight Is Enough Wedding Tommy Bradford TV movie
1995–2003 Bibleman[6] Miles Peterson / Bibleman 23 episodes
2005 Celebrity Fit Club – Season 2 Himself 8 episodes
2006 Bugtime Adventures Narrator 13 episodes
2007 MacMillan River Adventures - Season 1 Himself 27 episodes
2008 Celebrity Fit Club: Boot Camp – Season 8 Himself 8 episodes
2015 Harvest Moon William Stone Hallmark TV movie
2016 Dater's Handbook Kyle Hallmark TV movie
2016 Every Christmas Has A Story Vernon Hollis Hallmark TV movie
2017 Date My Dad Principal Reed 2 episodes
2019 Love on the Menu Martin Thomas Hallmark TV movie
Film
Year Film Role Notes
1979 Scavenger Hunt Kenny Stevens
1982 Paradise David
1982 Zapped! Peyton Nichols
1984 Goma-2 [it] Tony Alternative title: Killing Machine
1985 Cut and Run Tommy Allo Alternative title: Amazon: Savage Adventure
2003 The Missy Files
—
 Direct-to-DVD release
Director, writer
2003 Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star Himself

References

  1. ^ Dick Kliener (November 30, 1981). "'Idol' Status Not For Willie". Waycross Journal-Herald. p. P5. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  2. ^ "Swiss Family Schoolhouse". The Victoria Advocate. January 18, 1976. p. 6. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  3. ^ "Willie Aames' TV Series Not Helping His Music". The Evening Independent. August 24, 1979. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  4. ^ Sheffield, Skip (May 11, 1982). "Lost In 'Paradise'". Boca Raton News. p. 17. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  5. ^ Passalacqua, Connie (September 9, 1983). "Willie Aames spices up 'Edge of Night'". Rome News-Tribune. p. 5. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  6. ^ a b "Pastor to Replace Aames". Times Daily. Florence, Alabama. December 29, 2003. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  7. ^ Perry, Beth (February 4, 2008). "Straight Aames". People. 69 (4). Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  8. ^ "Willie Aames – Eight Wasn't Enough, but Life in Kansas Is Plenty for Willie Aames". People. 44 (3). July 17, 1995. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  9. ^ Celizic, Mike (16 January 2008). "Willie Aames wards off demons, armed robber". Today on NBC. Archived from the original on 21 July 2012. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  10. ^ "Willie Aames". Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  11. ^ "Willie Aames Accepts The Past With Grace". CBS News. February 11, 2008. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
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