Lani O'Grady, a talented actress, began her career at the tender age of 13, making a brief appearance in the TV western "The High Chaparral" in 1967. She would go on to secure her place in the TV Land pantheon as Mary, the brainiac wannabe doctor, in the dramedy "Eight Is Enough" from 1977 to 1981, starring alongside Dick Van Patten as a newspaper columnist and superdad.
O'Grady's portrayal of Mary, a member of the Bradford brood, a family of eight siblings, earned her a spot in the hearts of audiences and critics alike. In addition to her four-year stint on the show, she also appeared in two late-'80s reunion specials. Her extensive resume also includes appearances on other popular '70s TV staples, such as "The Love Boat" in 1977, as well as TV movies like "The Kid with the Broken Halo" in 1982, before leaving Hollywood.
Despite her success, O'Grady struggled with health and pill problems, dating back to her time on "Eight Is Enough". She suffered from panic attacks for over 20 years, with scores of doctors misdiagnosing her. To cope with the frequent anxiety episodes, she was prescribed a range of medications, including Xanax, Valium, and Librium, which ultimately led to addiction.
In the 1990s, O'Grady checked into rehab at least five times, and eventually declared herself clean after adopting an alternative-medicine regimen. She even went on to work as a recovery counselor for her doctor. However, in 1998, she checked herself into the mental health ward of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for detox, citing a dependency on the prescription drug Ativan.
O'Grady's family was deeply rooted in the entertainment industry. Her brother, Don Grady, was an original Mouseketeer and member of the notable TV family "My Three Sons", playing the role of Robbie. Her mother, Mary Grady, was an agent who represented several child actors. Born Lanita Rose Agrati on October 2, 1954, O'Grady changed her name once she landed her role as Mary in "Eight Is Enough".
Tragically, O'Grady died on September 25, 2001, at her home in Valencia, California, just a week shy of her 47th birthday. Her life was marked by both triumph and tragedy, serving as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by those in the public eye.
