Lani O'Grady

Lani O'Grady (born Lanita Rose Agrati, October 2, 1954 – September 25, 2001) was an American actress and talent agent.[1] She is best remembered for her role as Mary Bradford, the eldest sister from Eight Is Enough.

Lani O'Grady
Born
Lanita Rose Agrati

(1954-10-02)October 2, 1954
Walnut Creek, California, US
DiedSeptember 25, 2001(2001-09-25) (aged 46)
Valencia, California, US
Cause of deathDrug overdose
Resting placeRemains scattered 6 miles off the coast of Dana Point, California, US
NationalityAmerican
OccupationActress
Years active1969–1990
TelevisionEight Is Enough
RelativesDon Grady (brother)

Early life

O'Grady was born Lanita Rose Agrati in Walnut Creek, California, to Lou A. Agrati and to Mary B. Grady (née Castellino), a children's talent agent.[1] She was the sister of actor/musician Don Grady, one of the original Mouseketeers and a cast member of My Three Sons. Even as a youngster, she had a low-pitched voice.[2]

Career

O'Grady began acting at age 13 with a role in the television series The High Chaparral.[2] In the early 1970s, she appeared on Harry O and had a role in the 1975 television movie Cage Without a Key, starring Susan Dey. In 1976, she co-starred in the feature film Massacre at Central High along with Kimberly Beck (who appeared as Nancy in the Eight Is Enough pilot).

The following year, O'Grady landed the role of Mary Bradford in the ABC series Eight Is Enough and changed her name to O'Grady.[2] She appeared in 112 episodes of the series. She also reprised the role of Mary Bradford in two Eight Is Enough reunion television movies in 1987 and 1989.

After the series ended in 1981, O'Grady had a role in the 1982 television movie The Kid with the Broken Halo starring Gary Coleman. Her last acting role was as Mrs. Kramer in the soap opera Days of Our Lives in 1990.

Personal life

After suffering from agoraphobia and memory blackouts in the early 1990s, O'Grady retired from acting and became a talent agent. She also began taking nonnarcotic medication for a diagnosed brain chemical imbalance.[1] In a 1994 interview with the Los Angeles Times, O'Grady said she had suffered from panic attacks since the age of 18 but was not diagnosed with panic disorder until she was 21. She also admitted that she abused prescription drugs and alcohol, including Valium.[2]

In December 1998, she entered the Thalians Mental Health Department at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for detoxification.[1]

Death

O'Grady died in her mobile home in Valencia, Santa Clarita, California, at age 46 on September 25, 2001.[2] An autopsy revealed toxic levels of the painkiller Vicodin and antidepressant Prozac in her bloodstream, and the Los Angeles County Coroner's office said she died of "multiple drug intoxication," although the coroner was unable to determine if her death was an accident or suicide.[3]

Filmography
Film and television
Year Title Role Notes
1965 Days of Our Lives Mrs. Kramer (1990) TV Series
1969 The High Chaparral Penny Episode: "Time of Your Life"
1970 Headmaster Judy Episode: "Count the Ways I Love You"
1973 The Delphi Bureau Girl Episode: "The Face That Never Was Project"
1975 Cage Without a Key Noreen TV movie
1975 Harry O Jean
Helen		 Episode: "Street Games"
Episode: "Exercise in Fatality"
1976 Baby Blue Marine Girl #2
1976 Massacre at Central High Jane
1977 The Hazing Campus Girl
1977-1981 Eight Is Enough Mary Bradford 112 episodes
1979-1980 The Love Boat Maude Victor / Robin 3 episodes
1982 Quincy, M.E. Zanger's Customer Uncredited, Episode: "Bitter Pill"
1982 The Kid with the Broken Halo Julie McNulty TV movie
1987 Eight Is Enough: A Family Reunion Mary Bradford TV movie
1989 An Eight Is Enough Wedding TV movie, (final film role)

References
  1. "Lani O'Grady". Variety. 2001-10-01. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
  2. Mclellan, Dennis (2001-09-27). "Lani O'Grady, 46; Actress Played Daughter on TV's 'Eight Is Enough'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
  3. Errico, Marcus (2002-01-16). "Coroner: "Eight Is Enough" Star OD'd". E! News. Retrieved 2018-03-09.
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