5 interesting facts about David Cassidy as the world mourns his death
The world said goodbye to another former teen idol this week. On Nov. 21, David Cassidy, the actor and musician who famously played Keith Partridge in the 1970s TV show “The Partridge Family,” died at the age of 67. According to his publicist, Jo-Ann Geffen, Cassidy was recently admitted to a Florida hospital where he suffered from organ failure.
“David died surrounded by those he loved, with joy in his heart and free from the pain that had gripped him for so long,” she said in a statement released on CNN.com.”Thank you for the abundance and support you have shown him these many years.”
Family, friends and fans took to social media to remember the veteran entertainer:
My uncle David Cassidy has sadly passed away tonight… & in the process of mourning I can't help but thank God for the joy that he brought to countless millions of people! I don't think I'm alone in saying that we will all miss him. God Speed!
— Jack Cassidy (@jackgcassidy) November 22, 2017
I️ have known, loved, and admired David Cassidy for 48 out of my 58 years. He has been as kind to me as any real brother could ever be. We’ve been through a lot together and he was always there for me. This loss is huge. RIP my dear friend. pic.twitter.com/eKdRyAuW2B
— Danny Bonaduce (@TheDoochMan) November 22, 2017
So very sad to hear of David Cassidy passing away💔 He was always so kind and sweet to me. Our shows were both on Friday nights and deep down I dreamt of being a Partridge. His memory and love will live on in my ❤️forever. Love you David. Prayers to his family🙏🏼
— Maureen McCormick (@MoMcCormick7) November 22, 2017
#DavidCassidy. You were so sweet to me and you left us too soon. To me and millions of us you were forever young. RIP. pic.twitter.com/3JcjvKiUIA
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) November 22, 2017
As the world mourns the loss of another celebrity, let’s take a look back at Cassidy’s life with a few interesting facts—some of which you may not have known.
1. Mrs. Partridge Was Actually David Cassidy’s Mom—Sort Of.
David Cassidy’s dad, actor Jack Cassidy, divorced his first wife (and David’s mom) Evelyn Ward and eventually married actress Shirley Jones. According to Turner Classic Movies, when David auditioned for “The Partridge Family,” he had no idea his stepmother had already been cast as the musical family’s matriarch. The rest, as they say, is history!
https://twitter.com/Golden0ldies/status/931989337201434625
2. He once worked as a mailroom clerk.
After Cassidy graduated high school in California 1968, he went to New York City to try his hand at acting. Like many struggling performers, he had to take on another job while looking for gigs. According to Turner Classic Movies, he worked as a mailroom clerk until he landed his first Broadway role in “The Fig Leaves are Falling,” a 1969 musical. Unfortunately, the show ran only four performances before closing. So, Cassidy decided to head back to California to continue his career. Needless to say, it turned out to be a good decision.
RlP David Cassidy you Will live on in hearts of many. pic.twitter.com/OqChEvDXtw
— Enrique Iglesias (@Enrique65122959) November 22, 2017
3. “The Partridge Family” Wasn’t Cassidy’s First TV Appearance.
Everyone knows Cassidy from his role as eldest brother Keith Partridge on “The Partridge Family.” But, did you know he was on TV numerous times before his big break? He appeared on “Mod Squad,” “Bonanza,” “Ironside,” and “Marcus Welby, M.D.” before hitting it big with “Partridge” in 1970.
4. He Struggled With Being A Teen Idol.
During “The Partridge Family,” the character Keith Partridge started the series at age 16. However, David Cassidy was actually 20 years old when the series began filming. His youthful appearance and his acting skills helped convince teenage girls around the country that he was the latest teen idol. He may have been idolized by teens, but he wasn’t one of them!
According to the Guardian, Cassidy felt that it was hard to escape his first role. “I was pigeonholed as a teen idol [and] there’s no credibility,” he said. “I paid a tremendous personal price—it’s a very empty, isolated, lonely existence.”
5. He Posed Nude For “Rolling Stone.”
During the heyday of his “Partridge Family” career, Cassidy started to get fed up with his squeaky clean image. He wanted to be taken more seriously as an actor. As may young people do, he decided to rebel and did an interview with “Rolling Stone” magazine. The in-depth piece from 1972 called “David Cassidy: Naked Lunch Box” gave fans a rare, behind-the scenes look at the teen idol.
Cassidy took his rebellion to the limit during his photo shoot for the cover. The picture, taken by the famous photographer Annie Leibovitz, caused quite the controversy because the entertainer wasn’t wearing any clothes. Back in those days, this was a risky move.
Why David Cassidy bared all for Annie Leibovitz's cover photo shoot https://t.co/qmDNfjCPIC pic.twitter.com/o7XzVGh6qF
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) November 22, 2017
What’s your favorite memory of David Cassidy? Let us know in the comments!