Willie Aames
| Willie Aames | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Albert William Upton July 15, 1960 Newport Beach, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor, film and television director, television producer, screenwriter |
| Years active | 1971–present |
| Spouse(s) | >Winnie Hung (2014- ) |
| Children | 2 |
Willie Aames (born July 15, 1960) is an American actor, film and television director, television producer, and screenwriter. Aames is well known for playing Tommy Bradford on the 1970s television series Eight Is Enough and Buddy Lembeck on the 1980s series Charles in Charge.
Early life
Born Albert William Upton[1] in Newport Beach, California, Aames 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 actor and appeared 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 1976, 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 in 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
Personal life
Aames has a son, Christopher, and a daughter, Harleigh Jean.[6] Aames recently married long time soul mate Winnie Hung.
Selected filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1979 | Scavenger Hunt | Kenny Stevens | |
| 1982 | Paradise | David | |
| Zapped! | Peyton Nichols | ||
| 1984 | Goma-2 | 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 |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1971 | The Odd Couple | Leonard | 1 episode |
| 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 | 1 episode |
| 1972–1974 | Wait Till Your Father Gets Home | Jamie Boyle (Voice) | 38 episodes |
| 1973 | Adam's Rib | Boy | 1 episode |
| 1974 | Benjamin Franklin | Benjamin Franklin (12 years old) | Miniseries |
| The Wonderful World of Disney | Jeff Peterson | 1 episode | |
| 1975 | The Waltons | Danny Comley | 1 episode |
| 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 |
| 1976–1977 | Family | T.J. Latimer | 6 episodes |
| 1977 | Little House On The Prairie: "Injun Kid" | Seth | 1 episode |
| 1977–1981 | Eight is Enough | Tommy Bradford | 111 episodes |
| 1982 | The Love Boat | Danny — Doc's Nephew | 1 episode |
| 1982 | We're Movin' | Host | Unknown episodes |
| 1983 | The Edge of Night | Robbie Hamlin | Unknown episodes |
| 1983–1985 | Dungeons & Dragons | Hank the Ranger (Voice) | 27 episodes |
| 1984–1990 | Charles in Charge | Buddy Lembeck | 126 episodes |
| 1986 | Blacke's Magic | Eric Wilson | 1 episode |
| 1987 | Eight Is Enough: A Family Reunion | Tommy Bradford | Television movie |
| 1989 | An Eight Is Enough Wedding | Tommy Bradford | Television movie |
| 2006 | Bugtime Adventures | Narrator | 13 episodes |
References
- ↑ Dick Kliener (Nov 30, 1981). "'Idol' Status Not For Willie". Waycross Journal-Herald. p. P5. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
- ↑ "Swiss Family Schoolhouse". The Victoria Advocate. Jan 18, 1976. p. 6. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
- ↑ "Willie Aames' TV Series Not Helping His Music". The Evening Independent. Aug 24, 1979. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
- ↑ Sheffield, Skip (May 11, 1982). "Lost In 'Paradise'". Boca Raton News. p. 17. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
- ↑ Connie Passalacqua (Sep 9, 1983). "Willie Aames spices up 'Edge of Night'". Rome News-Tribune. p. 5. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
- ↑ Mike Celizic (16 Jan 2008). "Willie Aames wards off demons, armed robber". Today. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
External links
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