Willie Aames
Willie Aames | |
|---|---|
Aames at the Chiller Theatre Expo, 2017 | |
| Born | Albert William Upton July 15, 1960 |
| Other names | Willie Ames |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1971–present |
| Known for | Eight Is Enough Dungeons & Dragons Charles in Charge Bibleman The Swiss Family Robinson |
| Spouses | Vicki Weatherman
(m. 1979–1984)Maylo McCaslin (m. 1986–2009)Winnie Hung (m. 2014) |
| Children | 2 |
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 widely 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
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
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 The 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]
In 2024, Aames starred in the Karen Lam directed dark comedy Armageddon Road which takes place in Las Vegas in 1976.[13]
Personal life
Aames is a Christian.[14] He has been married three times. Aames married Vicki Weatherman in 1979, having one child, Christopher.[15] He married Maylo McCaslin in 1986,[16] having one child, Harleigh Jean.[17] Aames married Winnie Hung in 2014.[18][19]
Aames has battled alcohol addiction.[20] 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 Great Recession.[21]
Filmography
| 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 | |
| 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 | 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 |
| 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-video Director, writer |
| Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star | Himself | ||
| 2020 | Bottle Monster | George |
References
- ^ "The Birth of Albert Upton". californiabirthindex.org. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- ^ Balogun, Oyin (August 11, 2020). "Willie Aames Used to Sleep under Bushes after Going Broke – inside the Actor's Life Struggles". Amo Mama. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
- ^ Kliener, Dick (November 30, 1981). "'Idol' Status Not For Willie". Waycross Journal-Herald. p. P5. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
- ^ Flynn, Liz (November 19, 2019). "Whatever Happened to Willie Aames?". TVOvermind. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
- ^ "Swiss Family Schoolhouse". The Victoria Advocate. January 18, 1976. p. 6. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
- ^ "Willie Aames' TV Series Not Helping His Music". St. Petersburg Independent. August 24, 1979. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
- ^ Sheffield, Skip (May 11, 1982). "Lost In 'Paradise'". Boca Raton News. p. 17. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
- ^ Passalacqua, Connie (September 9, 1983). "Willie Aames spices up 'Edge of Night'". Rome News-Tribune. p. 5. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
- ^ a b "Pastor to Replace Aames". TimesDaily. Florence, Alabama. December 29, 2003. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ "How Willie Aames Went from Teen Idol to Cruise Ship Director". Oprah Winfrey Network. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
- ^ Barnhart, Aaron (November 5, 2009). "Actor Willie Aames makes comeback after bankruptcy, homelessness". McClatchy DC.
- ^ Thompson, Zac (July 4, 2016). "'70s Teen Heartthrob No Longer a Cruise Director". Frommer's. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ^ Vlessing, Etan (May 13, 2024). "'Eight is Enough' Actor Willie Aames, Natalie Grace Topline 'Armageddon Road' Dark Comedy (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^ "Interview with Actor Willie Aames, "Every Christmas Has a Story"". Media from the Heart by Ruth Hill. November 9, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ^ Perry, Beth (February 4, 2008). "Straight Aames". People. Vol. 69, no. 4. Archived from the original on July 14, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
- ^ "Willie Aames – Eight Wasn't Enough, but Life in Kansas Is Plenty for Willie Aames". People. 44 (3). July 17, 1995. Archived from the original on July 14, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
- ^ Celizic, Mike (January 16, 2008). "Willie Aames wards off demons, armed robber". Today. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Willie Aames". F.L.U.I.D. Talk Radio. Archived from the original on August 14, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
- ^ "Willie Aames Gushes About His Epic Love Story With Wife Winnie". Closer (magazine). January 26, 2020. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
- ^ Castellanos, Melissa (February 11, 2008). "Willie Aames Accepts The Past With Grace". CBS News. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ^ "'Charles in Charge' Star Willie Aames Holds Garage Sale After Bankruptcy, Suicide Attempt". Fox News. March 25, 2015.
External links
- Willie Aames at IMDb
- Willie Aames discography at Discogs