Willie Aames is a name that may ring a bell for many people who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s. The former child actor and television star landed his first acting job at the age of 11 and went on to have a successful career in the entertainment industry, starring in hit shows like “Eight Is Enough” and “Charles in Charge.” However, despite his success, Aames struggled with addiction, which led to financial ruin and a fall from grace.
Now at 62, Willie Aames is making headlines again, but this time for a very different reason. After losing all his money, Aames was forced to take drastic measures to rebuild his life. In this video, we will take a closer look at Willie Aames’ journey. From his early success to his struggles with addiction, and his inspiring recovery, we will delve into the ups and downs of Willie Aames’ life and see how he has emerged stronger and more determined than ever before.
Acting life
Willie Aames, the versatile American actor, was born on a bright summer day in California on July 15, 1960. Even as a child, he’s attracted to the allure of the stage. He starts his acting career at a young age in the 1960s. He features in a plethora of popular TV shows of that era, “Adam-12,” “The Wonderful World of Disney,” and “Gunsmoke”. Also, he left an indelible mark with his acting prowess in shows such as ‘Wait Till Your Father Gets Home’ and ‘The Odd Couple.’
At the age of 15, Aames landed a major role in “The Swiss Family Robinson” as Fred Robinson. He appeared in a total of 20 episodes between 1975 and 1976, showcasing his talent to the world. Nonetheless, it was his portrayal of Tommy Bradford in “Eight Is Enough” that marked a turning point in his career. Aames starred in this role from 1977 to 1981, appearing in a total of 111 episodes. His captivating performance in the show earned him immense acclaim and established him as a leading actor of his generation.
While continuing to impress audiences in “Eight is Enough,” Willie Aames also made his foray into the film industry. In 1979, he made his debut with the role of Kenny Stevens in “Scavenger Hunt.” He followed it up with notable performances in movies like “Paradise” (1982), where he portrayed the character of David, and “Zapped!” (1982), where he played Peyton Nichols. Aames also appeared in other films, such as ”Goma-2′’ and ”Cut and Run,” which further showcased his acting range.
Eight Is Enough
Following the end of ‘Eight Is Enough,’ Aames continued to make appearances on television shows throughout the 1980s. He lent his voice to the character of Hank the Ranger in ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ and made various guest appearances. During this period, his most distinguished role was that of Buddy Lembeck in the hit show “Charles in Charge.” Aames portrayed the character with such finesse that he is still remembered for it today. He was featured in 126 episodes of the show, which aired between 1984 and 1990. After the show ended, Aames briefly hosted the game show ”The Krypton Factor.”
When Aames returned to acting, he took on the lead role of Miles Peterson/Bibleman in the direct-to-video series “Bibleman.” The series, which ran for 23 episodes from 1995 to 2003, saw Aames take on multiple roles as he directed 11 episodes and wrote various episodes for the series. Following the conclusion of “Bibleman,” Aames wrote and directed the direct-to-DVD film “The Missy Files” in the same year. However, Aames decided to take a break from his career in order to spend more time with his family. As a result, he appeared only in direct-to-video productions between 1990 and 2003, and his appearances on television and in movies were few and far between.
Other gigs
Willie Aames made a brief return to the world of television in 2005 when he participated in the reality series “Celebrity Fit Club” for eight episodes. He made a comeback in 2008 for the show’s spin-off, “Celebrity Fit Club: Boot Camp,” which also ran for eight episodes. During this period, Aames also lent his voice to narrate 13 episodes of “Bugtime Adventures” and appeared as himself in the first season of “MacMillan River Adventures.”
After this short stint on television, Aames took another break from acting and embarked on a completely different career path. He became a six-star cruise director and traveled to over 127 countries on different cruise ships. This was a significant departure from his previous work, but he relished the experience. Aames worked for Oceania Cruise Lines on two ships, Marina and MS Nautica, where he not only served as a director but also performed as a singer twice a week.
In the later stages of his career as a cruise director, Aames maintained his association with Regent Seven Seas, working on both the Mariner and Voyager vessels. However, his time at sea was not the only change in his life during his hiatus from acting. He also trained to become a licensed financial advisor as he wanted to help people who were struggling financially. Aames’s passion for helping others was evident, and he always looked for ways to make a positive impact.
Hard times and battling homelessness
Despite his success in the entertainment industry, Willie Aames was not immune to the challenges that come with fame. In an interview, Aames spoke candidly about his struggles with drug addiction, which began to worsen when he turned eighteen and moved into his own apartment. He admitted to using drugs every day of the week, which took a toll on his finances, career, and overall well-being.
However, Aames had a moment of clarity in 1984 after watching the movie “Wired,” which depicted John Belushi’s death from a drug overdose. This served as a wake-up call for Aames, and he enrolled in a 12-step program to help him overcome his addiction. He also turned to religion for support. Perhaps the most significant turning point in his life was meeting his second wife, Maylo McCaslin.
Aames also opened up about experiencing financial ruin after his successful acting career. Despite earning over a million dollars a year, he found himself suddenly without a job, bank account, wife, or child. He realized that he had hit rock bottom and needed to sell his property to make ends meet. In March 2009, he organized a garage sale in his Olathe, Kansas home, hoping to raise some cash.
A Confirmation Of His Downfall
To boost sales, Aames even signed autographs for patrons and haggled with prospective buyers. However, the media was quick to portray the event as a confirmation of his downfall, and a production company even recorded it for a TV show. Not too long after that, he became virtually homeless, sleeping in parking garages or the park when he couldn’t stay with friends. This was a humbling experience for someone who had once been so successful in their career. Nevertheless, Aames was determined to work hard to rebuild his life.
After hitting rock bottom, Willie Aames began to reflect on the choices that led to his downfall. He acknowledged that his risky behavior not only caused financial troubles but also put his marriage in jeopardy. For the first time in 25 years, he found himself alone, and he realized that he had played a significant role in creating that situation.
Aames then set out to figure out what he needed to do to get back on track, taking small steps toward improvement. He landed a job installing satellite systems, which provided a sense of purpose and helped him stay focused on something other than his problems. As his earnings began to meet his financial obligations, he was able to get an apartment and take care of his basic needs.
Reading also played a significant role in Aames’s recovery. It helped him regain his self-esteem and gave him the motivation to keep pushing forward. Through his struggles and determination, Aames proved that it is possible to overcome adversity and rebuild one’s life, one small step at a time.
Rumors about suicide
During his difficult time, rumors circulated that Willie Aames had attempted suicide. However, Aames revealed that he did not want to read any more bad publicity during that period of his life. While some of the rumors were partially accurate, he clarified that some details were not entirely true. Aames admitted to being depressed and taking two high doses of antidepressants. However, at some point, he stopped taking the medication, which resulted in withdrawal symptoms that took a toll on his mental health. To cope with the urge to take antidepressants, he resorted to drinking and making poor decisions.
Despite his struggles, Aames denied attempting suicide. When he arrived at USC Medical Center, he had lacerations on his body, which he attributed to scratches from bushes. The rumors had been exaggerated and distorted, causing him more distress during a challenging period of his life.
Returning to film
After spending several years away from the entertainment industry, Willie Aames made a triumphant return to the big screen in 2015. He decided to take up acting and filmmaking once again, and he made his comeback with a Hallmark movie titled ”Harvest Moon” playing William Stone. The next year, he appeared as Kyle in another Hallmark movie called ”Dater’s Handbook’ before playing Vernon Hollis in his third Hallmark movie, ”Every Christmas Has a Story” in 2016.
In 2017, Willie Ames briefly played Principal Reed in two episodes of “Date My Dad.” However, this was the last time he appeared on television.
In 2019, he took on the role of Martin Thomas in the Hallmark movie ‘Love on the Menu’ and was the subject of a documentary titled ”One Life No Regrets.’
Love life
His love life has been nothing short of eventful, with three marriages and children from his previous relationships. His first marriage to Victoria Weatherman ended in 1984, after which they had a son. The second marriage to Maylo McCaslin brought forth a daughter, Harleigh Jean Upton. But, like his first marriage, this too ended in divorce in 2009.
Despite these setbacks, Aames has moved on and found happiness with his third wife, actress Winnie Hung, whom he married in 2014. They share a love for the entertainment industry and own properties in both Los Angeles and Vancouver, British Columbia. They lead busy lives, dividing their time between these two locations as they pursue their respective careers.
So, what do you think of Willie Aames’s journey? Are you inspired by his determination to overcome adversity and rebuild his life? If you have, let us know your favorite part of the story in the comments section down below.
