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Willie Aames

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Willie Aames
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.
Other namesWillie Ames
Occupation(s)Actor, director, television producer, screenwriter
Years active1971–present
Spouses
Vicki Weatherman
​
​
(m. 1979⁠–⁠1984)​
Maylo McCaslin
​
(m. 1986⁠–⁠2009)​
Winnie Hung
​
(m. 2014)​
Children2

Albert William Upton, (born July 15, 1960)[1] known professionally as Willie Aames, 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,[2] TJ Latimer in Family, Buddy Lembeck on the 1980s sitcom Charles in Charge, and the title character in the direct-to-video series Bibleman (1995–2003). He is also credited as Willie Ames.

Early life

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Aames was born in Newport Beach, California in 1960.[3] He attended Edison High School in Huntington Beach, California, and he was in both the choir and the Madrigal Ensemble.

Career

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Aames began acting in the late 1960s as a child,[4] 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 provided the voice of 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.[5]

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.[6] 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! with Scott Baio and Paradise with Phoebe Cates.[7]

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.[8] 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.[9]

In 2010, Aames's career changed direction when he began working as a cruise director for Regent Seven Seas Cruises.[10][11] He also worked for Oceania Cruises and Viking (Ocean) Cruises, then returned to acting in 2016.[12]

Personal life

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Aames is a Christian.[13] He has been married three times. Aames married Vicki Weatherman in 1979, having one child, Christopher.[14] He married Maylo McCaslin in 1986,[15] having one child, Harleigh Jean.[16] Aames married Winnie Hung in 2014.[17][18]

Aames has battled alcohol addiction in his life.[19] He admitted to cutting himself following guilt over stealing a bottle of whiskey from his landlord. In 2009, following the repossession of his car, Aames hosted a garage sale in Olathe, Kansas to sell off memorabilia and autographs, which was attended by fans as well as those in similar situations from the 2008 recession. [20]

Filmography

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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 Petey Macklin 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"
Frankenstein William Frankenstein two-part episode of The Wide World of Mystery
1974 Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin (at 12 years old) miniseries; episode: "The Whirlwind"
The Wonderful World of Disney Jeff Peterson episode: "Runaway on the Rogue River"
1975 The Waltons Danny Comley episode: "The Beguiled"
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[9] 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
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
2020 Picture Perfect Mysteries: Exit Stage Death" Neil Khan Hallmark TV movie
Film
Year Film Role Notes
1979 Scavenger Hunt Kenny Stevens
1982 Paradise David
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-video
director, writer
Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star himself
2020 Bottle Monster George

References

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  1. ^ "The Birth of Albert Upton". californiabirthindex.org. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  2. ^ Balogun, Oyin (August 11, 2020). "Willie Aames Used to Sleep under Bushes after Going Broke – inside the Actor's Life Struggles". news.amomama.com. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  3. ^ Kliener, Dick (November 30, 1981). "'Idol' Status Not For Willie". Waycross Journal-Herald. p. P5. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  4. ^ Flynn, Liz (November 19, 2019). "Whatever Happened to Willie Aames?". TVOvermind. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  5. ^ "Swiss Family Schoolhouse". The Victoria Advocate. January 18, 1976. p. 6. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  6. ^ "Willie Aames' TV Series Not Helping His Music". The Evening Independent. August 24, 1979. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  7. ^ Sheffield, Skip (May 11, 1982). "Lost In 'Paradise'". Boca Raton News. p. 17. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  8. ^ Passalacqua, Connie (September 9, 1983). "Willie Aames spices up 'Edge of Night'". Rome News-Tribune. p. 5. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  9. ^ a b "Pastor to Replace Aames". Times Daily. Florence, Alabama. December 29, 2003. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  10. ^ "How Willie Aames Went from Teen Idol to Cruise Ship Director". Oprah.com. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  11. ^ "Actor Willie Aames makes comeback after bankruptcy, homelessness".
  12. ^ "'70s Teen Heartthrob No Longer a Cruise Director | Frommer's". www.frommers.com. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  13. ^ "Media from the Heart by Ruth Hill | Interview with Actor Willie Aames, "Every Christmas Has a Story"".
  14. ^ Perry, Beth (February 4, 2008). "Straight Aames". People. 69 (4). Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  15. ^ "Willie Aames – Eight Wasn't Enough, but Life in Kansas Is Plenty for Willie Aames". People. 44 (3). July 17, 1995. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  16. ^ Celizic, Mike (January 16, 2008). "Willie Aames wards off demons, armed robber". Today. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  17. ^ "Willie Aames". Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  18. ^ "Willie Aames Gushes About His Epic Love Story With Wife Winnie". Closer Weekly. January 26, 2020. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  19. ^ "Willie Aames Accepts The Past With Grace". CBS News. February 11, 2008. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  20. ^ https://www.foxnews.com/story/charles-in-charge-star-willie-aames-holds-garage-sale-after-bankruptcy-suicide-attempt?msockid=068e50a4d2f062a824964349d6f06c08
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