Exploring the Romantic Journeys of The Partridge Family Cast, Including a Sweet Starbucks Love Story
Shirley Jones and her husband Marty Ingels on their wedding day on November 13, 1977, in Los Angeles, California; Susan Dey and Bernard Sofronski at the Los Angeles Mission Benefit in Los Angeles, California.
Credit:
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty; Ron Galella Collection via Getty
In the over 50 years since The Partridge Family premiered, the show’s cast members have embarked on their own family journeys.
The pilot episode aired on September 25, 1970, on ABC, chronicling the life of a fictional pop music band made up of the titular family. The series, loosely inspired by the real-life Cowsill family, entertained audiences for four seasons and nearly 100 episodes.
Shirley Jones played the matriarch, Shirley Partridge, alongside her real-life stepson, David Cassidy, who portrayed her son Keith. “I actually think our true-life relationship, our closeness, helped us in the show,” Jones shared with The Hollywood Reporter in 2020, three years after Cassidy’s death.
While her character was a single mother, Jones was married to Cassidy’s father, Jack Cassidy, for nearly 20 years. Their marriage ended shortly before his untimely death in 1976. She later wed actor Marty Ingels, remaining married until he passed away in 2015.
Here’s a look at the real-life relationships of The Partridge Family cast.
01
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Shirley Jones and Marty Ingels
Shirley Jones and Marty Ingels at the 3rd annual Jerry Herman Awards on June 1, 2014 in Hollywood, California.
Chelsea Lauren/Getty
Shirley Jones, known for her role as the family matriarch, has been married twice. She wed fellow actor Jack Cassidy on August 5, 1956. Together, they had three sons: Shaun, Patrick, and Ryan, in addition to David, Jack’s son from a previous marriage.
"My husband … I mean, he was my knight in shining armor, he was the love of my life. I was the breadwinner in the family, and it was very difficult for him," she reflected in a 2013 Good Morning America interview.
The couple separated in October 1974, with their divorce finalized a year later. Jack Cassidy tragically passed away in 1976 in an apartment fire. In 1977, Jones married actor Marty Ingels, remaining together until his death from stroke complications on October 21, 2015. "Had Jack not died… I don’t know if I would’ve married Marty," she stated, reflecting on her deep affection for both men.
02
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David Cassidy
David Cassidy at Disney-ABC Television Group Summer Press Tour Party on August 8, 2009 in Pasadena, California.
Frazer Harrison/Getty
David Cassidy, who portrayed Keith Partridge, was married three times. He first tied the knot with actress Kay Lenz in 1977, but the marriage ended four years later, with Cassidy stating, "Kay had her own life, and I had different needs," in a 1983 interview.
In 1982, he reconnected with Meryl Tanz, a horse breeder, whom he had met at a horse sale in 1974. During a fleeting moment at a party, Cassidy described their reunion: "Suddenly she and I looked at each other as if for the first time, and WHEW!"
In 1986, Cassidy welcomed a daughter, Katie Cassidy, with model Sherry Williams. He later married songwriter Sue Shifrin in 1991, welcoming a son, Beau, before their divorce in 2014. Cassidy passed away from organ failure on November 21, 2017, at the age of 67.
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Susan Dey and Bernard Sofronski
Susan Dey and Bernard Sofronski attend the Rape Treatment Center Annual Benefit on September 30, 2007 in Beverly Hills, California.
Amy Graves/WireImage
After her time on The Partridge Family, Susan Dey continued her acting career and married twice. Since 1988, she has been married to producer Bernard Sofronski. Dey was initially married to Leonard "Lenny" Hirshan, with whom she has a daughter.
04
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Danny Bonaduce and Amy Railsback
Danny Bonaduce and Amy Railsback in November 2019.
Danny Bonaduce/Instagram
Danny Bonaduce, who portrayed the wisecracking middle child, has been married to Amy Railsback since 2010. The couple, who met at a Starbucks in Los Angeles, got engaged in 2009 after two years of dating. Railsback, a former teacher, is now Bonaduce’s manager. They exchanged vows on November 22, 2010, in a private ceremony in Maui.
“They told me I was getting married,” Bonaduce recounted of the planning process, suggesting his delight in the spontaneous nature of the event.
Bonaduce was previously married to Gretchen Bonaduce, with whom he shares two children.
05
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Brian Forster and Lisa Forster
Brian Forster and Lisa Forster.
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Brian Forster assumed the role of Chris Partridge after Jeremy Gelbwaks departed following the first season. Since the show’s conclusion, he has largely maintained a low profile. During this time, he married Lisa Forster.
06
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Suzanne Crough and William Condray
Suzanne Crough at The Hollywood Show on July 20, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
Steve Granitz/WireImage
The youngest sibling, Tracy, portrayed by Suzanne Crough, married William Condray in 1985. Crough opted for a life away from the spotlight, passing away in 2015 at the age of 52. Condray remarked after her death, "My wife and I were going to celebrate 30 years of marriage in July."
The pair met through a friend; Condray worked in law enforcement during their early years together and later pursued a law degree. Crough initially considered returning to acting but ultimately chose to focus on their children.
"I can’t tell you the number of sacrifices she made for our family," Condray said, highlighting her dedication as a mother.
