This ’70s and ’80s teen idol gained fame with “Eight Is Enough” and “Charles in Charge.” However, his life unraveled as his marriage ended, leaving him homeless and estranged from his child.
This once-promising career began early, and by his teenage years, success seemed limitless. Reflecting on his meteoric rise in the co-authored book “Grace Is Enough,” the star divulged, “I did my first commercial at the age of nine, and by nineteen, I was making a million dollars a year — and doing a killer job of going through most of it.”
At the peak of his stardom on “Eight Is Enough,” the actor experienced significant personal milestones. In 1979, he married Victoria Averbach, and two years later, in 1981, they welcomed their son, Christopher Aames, their only child together.
The couple’s marriage ended in 1984, marking the beginning of a devastating period for the actor. At the height of his success on “Eight Is Enough,” alongside Adam Rich whom he once referred to as his “little brother” and “lifelong friend,” the TV star earned just over a million dollars annually.
“Then suddenly there was no job, no bank account, no wife, no child. I never dreamt it could happen that fast,” the celebrity admitted. Struggling to survive, he revealed, “I found myself virtually homeless. I stayed with friends when I could, slept in parking garages or slept in the park.”
As Willie Aames worked to rebuild his life, he encountered countless rejections, including being turned down for a job as a wilderness guide. Eventually, he found work with a construction company, marking a small but meaningful step forward.
Throughout his struggles, Willie found unwavering support in his son, Chris, whom he described as one of his closest allies. “[…] He’s one of the few people who didn’t give up on me.[…] We talk three times and text 10 times a day,” said the proud parent.
