The Partridge Family is a classic American musical sitcom that originally aired on ABC from September 25, 1970, to March 23, 1974. Created by Bernard Slade and produced by Screen Gems, the series was inspired in part by the real-life musical family, The Cowsills.
The show combined family-oriented comedy with musical performances and quickly became a pop culture phenomenon of the 1970s. With its catchy theme song, “Come On Get Happy,” and relatable blend of wholesome family values and teen idol glamour, The Partridge Family struck a chord with audiences of all ages. The plot centers on Shirley Partridge, a widowed mother of five children, who joins her musically inclined kids to form a pop band.
They record a demo in their garage, and with the help of manager Reuben Kincaid, they achieve unexpected success. The family tours the country in a colorful, Mondrian-style painted school bus, juggling fame, family life, and the everyday antics of growing up.
Each episode features a combination of comedic storylines and musical performances, with songs that often tie into the plot. The band’s fictional success was mirrored in the real world, with David Cassidy (Keith Partridge) becoming a teen idol and the show’s songs topping the charts,
including “I Think I Love You,” which became a number-one hit in 1970. The series starred Shirley Jones as matriarch Shirley Partridge, and her real-life stepson David Cassidy as eldest son Keith. Rounding out the family were Susan Dey as Laurie, Danny Bonaduce as Danny, Jeremy Gelbwaks (season one) and Brian Forster (seasons two through four) as Chris,
and Suzanne Crough as Tracy. Dave Madden played their uptight but well-meaning manager Reuben Kincaid, often getting caught in the family’s chaos.
Main Cast
- Shirley Jones – Shirley Partridge – The widowed matriarch of the Partridge family and lead vocalist/keyboardist for the band, Shirley guides her musical children with warmth and steady leadership. – Shirley Jones is a veteran actress and singer known for her Oscar-winning role in Elmer Gantry, and iconic musical films like Oklahoma!, Carousel, and The Music Man. She also appeared in television movies and guest roles on shows like Murder, She Wrote and The Love Boat.
- David Cassidy – Keith Partridge – The eldest Partridge son, teen heartthrob, and lead singer/guitarist for the band; Keith is confident and often deals with fame and romance. – David Cassidy rose to fame with The Partridge Family and had a successful solo music career. He also appeared in shows such as Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, Malcolm in the Middle, and starred in the 1980s series David Cassidy: Man Undercover.
- Susan Dey – Laurie Partridge – The smart, independent and musically talented older sister who contributes harmony vocals and keyboards to the band. – Susan Dey later gained acclaim for her dramatic role in L.A. Law, earning a Golden Globe, and also appeared in Looker, First Love, Love & War, and TV movies like Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night.
- Danny Bonaduce – Danny Partridge – The witty, scheming middle child who plays bass guitar and often stirs up trouble for comic relief. – Danny Bonaduce went on to host radio shows and reality TV, and acted in projects like CHiPs, That ’70s Show, The Drew Carey Show, and Breaking Bonaduce.
- Jeremy Gelbwaks – Chris Partridge (Season 1) – The original drummer of the band and the youngest Partridge boy, known for being quiet and sweet-natured. – Jeremy Gelbwaks left acting after Season 1 and did not continue in the entertainment industry.
- Brian Forster – Chris Partridge (Seasons 2–4) – Replaced Gelbwaks as the Partridge drummer, continuing the role for the remainder of the show. – Brian Forster acted in guest roles on shows like Family Affair and My Three Sons, and later pursued auto racing rather than acting.
- Suzanne Crough – Tracy Partridge – The youngest Partridge child who played tambourine and sang backup vocals, often seen as the adorable “baby” of the family. – Suzanne Crough made limited TV appearances after the show, including Mulligan’s Stew, and later left acting for a quieter life.
- Dave Madden – Reuben Kincaid – The band’s often-frustrated but caring manager, who handled bookings and kept the family band running smoothly. – Dave Madden was a regular on Laugh-In, had a recurring role on Alice, and guest-starred on Bewitched, The Love Boat, and Fantasy Island.
- Rick Segall – Ricky Stevens (Season 4) – A young singing neighbor added to the cast in Season 4, intended to refresh the series with youthful charm. – Rick Segall later appeared in Police Woman, Little House on the Prairie, T. J. Hooker, and worked in voiceover and production roles.
Other Characters
- Simone – the Partridge family dog – A shaggy pet who appeared mostly in Season 1 and occasionally thereafter, adding a family-friendly touch to early episodes.
- Gary Dubin – Punky Lazaar – A wisecracking friend of Danny’s who appeared in multiple episodes, often involved in Danny’s schemes. – Gary Dubin also appeared in Jaws 2, The King of Queens, Land of the Giants, and provided the voice of Toulouse in Disney’s The Aristocats.
Bernard Slade was a Canadian playwright and screenwriter best known for creating several successful television series in the 1960s and 1970s, most notably The Partridge Family (1970–1974). Born Bernard Slade Newbound on May 2, 1930, in St. Catharines, Ontario, he moved to the United States in the 1960s and wrote for shows like Bewitched, The Flying Nun, and Love on a Rooftop. Slade transitioned into playwriting in the 1970s,
achieving critical acclaim for his romantic comedy Same Time, Next Year (1975), which was later adapted into a successful film starring Ellen Burstyn and Alan Alda. His other plays include Tribute and Romantic Comedy, both of which also made it to Broadway and were adapted into feature films.
Known for his skill in blending sentiment with humor, Slade left a lasting mark on both television and theater. He passed away on October 30, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 89. The show was mostly filmed on the Columbia Pictures/Screen Gems studio lot in Hollywood,
with interiors shot on soundstages and some outdoor scenes captured on the studio’s backlot. While the show is set in the fictional town of San Pueblo, California, its sunny California vibe was a key part of the show’s aesthetic.
Though the cast was seen playing instruments and singing in the show, in reality, only David Cassidy and Shirley Jones sang on the actual Partridge Family recordings. Session musicians such as the legendary Wrecking Crew played the instruments behind the scenes. Despite this, the illusion was seamless enough for the show’s young audience. David Cassidy’s vocal talent
and charisma translated into massive solo success outside the series, with sold-out concerts and millions of records sold, while the show launched careers for many of the younger cast members. The Partridge Family faced declining ratings by its fourth season, due in part to David Cassidy’s public desire to move beyond the show’s image and changing television trends.
The show was cancelled in 1974 after 96 episodes. Still, its legacy endured through reruns, reunion specials, and nostalgic references in later pop culture. One notable piece of trivia is that the family’s iconic tour bus was designed by artist Bernard Yeszin and painted in a design reminiscent of artist Piet Mondrian’s style.
Another quirky detail is that the family dog, Simone, vanished from the show with little explanation after the first season, much to the curiosity of devoted fans. In the decades since it aired, The Partridge Family has maintained a cult following and is often revisited as a cultural time capsule of early 1970s American entertainment.
It helped pave the way for other music-centered shows and solidified the teen idol phenomenon in television. Though often dismissed as lightweight fare in its time, its combination of gentle humor, catchy songs, and earnest performances continues to resonate with nostalgic viewers.
A Few of the Actors Who Made an Appearance on the Show
- Bobby Sherman
- Johnny Bench
- Jaclyn Smith
- Farrah Fawcett
- Cheryl Ladd
- Rosemary DeCamp
- Maureen Reagan
- Ray Bolger
- Johnny Cash
- Morey Amsterdam
- John Astin
- Carl Ballantine
- John Banner
- Lane Bradbury
- Edgar Buchanan
- George Chakiris
- Dick Clark
- Jackie Coogan
- Howard Cosell
- Norman Fell
- Bernard Fox
- Ned Glass
- James Gregory
- Margaret Hamilton
- Pat Harrington Jr.
- Arte Johnson
- Harvey Lembeck
- Art Metrano
- Mary Ann Mobley
- Harry Morgan
- Maggie Roswell
- Michael Rupert
- William Schallert
- Nita Talbot
- Larry Wilcox
- Dick Wilson
- William Windom
- Meredith Baxter
- Richard Bull
- Bert Convy
- Jodie Foster
- Anthony Geary
- Louis Gossett Jr.
- Harold Gould
- Jackie Earle Haley
- Mark Hamill
- Season Hubley
- Ann Jillian
- Gordon Jump
- Michael Lembeck
- William Lucking
- Stuart Margolin
- Richard Mulligan
- Michael Ontkean
- Noam Pitlik
- Annette O’Toole
- Charlotte Rae
- Rob Reiner
- Jack Riley
- Vic Tayback
- Nancy Walker
- Frank Welker
- Slim Pickens
- Richard Pryor
- Barbara Rhoades
Some Season 1 episodes
“What? And Get Out of Show Business?” is the pilot episode of The Partridge Family, which aired on September 25, 1970. In this episode, recently widowed Shirley Partridge reluctantly joins her musically talented children to record a song written by eldest son Keith. After their demo becomes a surprise hit, they are approached by manager Reuben Kincaid, who convinces them to form a band and go on the road, launching their new life as a touring musical family.
The episode sets the tone for the series’ blend of humor, music, and family dynamics. In episode #4, “See Here, Private Partridge!”, as they’re about to record their first album, the Partridges have a bomb dropped on them: ten-year-old Danny’s been drafted into the Army. This episode co-starred Jack Riley and Jonathan Daly.
In episode #6, “Love at First Slight”, now that their record is out, Keith finds himself with major girl trouble: he cannot keep them away from him! But his troubles really begin when he falls for the one who doesn’t care who he is.
In episode #10, “Go Directly to Jail”, they find themselves with a captive audience when they perform at a prison, but then find themselves being held captive by a prisoner who wants them to hear his songs.
In episode #16, “Old Scrapmouth”, Laurie gets braces right before a television show comes to film the band. As if that isn’t bad enough, when they begin to play, her braces pick up radio signals and all she can hear is The Rolling Stones! Co-starring Mark Hamill.
In episode #18, “The Soul Club”, Due to a booking mix-up, two Detroit club owners expecting the Temptations get the Partridge Family instead. Can they find an audience in Motown? Richard Pryor, Louis Gossett Jr. co-star.
In episode #25, “A Knight in Shining Armor”, the Partridges introduce a hip, multi-talented musician to a square, tone-deaf poet, no one expects them to score a hit—but somehow they manage to do just that. Co-starring Bobby Sherman.
…and Susan Dey
Further Reading
Sources
- Wikipedia “The Partridge Family” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Partridge_Family
- IMDB “The Partridge Family” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065333/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_7_nm_1_in_0_q_the%2520partridge%2520
- People “Whatever Happened to ‘The Partridge Family’ ? A Look Back at the Stars of the ’70s Sitcom” https://people.com/tv/partridge-family-where-are-they-now/
- Wikipedia “List of The Partridge Family episodes” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Partridge_Family_episodes
- Fandom “The Partridge Family” https://unitedparamountnetworkupn.fandom.com/wiki/The_Partridge_Family
